Welcome to the 2018 Kentucky Derby Rankings! Each week leading up to the race, we will provide our Top 20 Kentucky Derby Prospects, as well as updates with the latest news on each horse.
1. Justify
Derby Points/Rank: 100 – 9th
Race Record: (3) 3-0-0
Earnings: $666,000
Breeding: Scat Daddy – Stage Magic
Owner: China Horse Club, Head of Plains Partners, Starlight Racing, and WinStar Farm
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Last Race: Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby at Santa Anita, Finished 1st
Analysis: It’s hard to believe that as recently as February, this horse hadn’t even made a start, and now, he’s the favorite to win the Kentucky Derby after easily defeating Bolt d’Oro in the Santa Anita Derby. There are still plenty of doubters, and rightfully so, as he’s trying to do something that hasn’t been done since 1882. While he may lack experience, he more than makes up for it with talent. He’ll be ready for the task on the first Saturday in May.
2. Bolt d’Oro
Derby Points/Rank: 104 – 6th
Race Record: (6) 4-1-1
Earnings: $1,016,000
Breeding: Medaglia d’Oro – Globe Trot
Owner: Ruis Racing LLC
Trainer: Mick Ruis
Last Race: Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby at Santa Anita, Finished 2nd
Analysis: There’s nothing to be discouraged about after finishing a solid second to Justify in the Santa Anita Derby. He ran his race and earned a speed figure on par with how he’s been running for most of his career. His experience edge over Justify is his main advantage and will give him a shot to turn the tables in the Kentucky Derby.
3. Magnum Moon
Derby Points/Rank: 150 – 1st
Race Record: (4) 4-0-0
Earnings: $1,777,800
Breeding: Malibu Moon – Dazzling Song
Owner: Robert and Lawana Low
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Last Race: Grade 1 Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park, Finished 1st
Analysis: If not for Justify, this horse would be talked about as the one that could break the “Curse of Apollo.” After winning the Grade 2 Rebel Stakes in just his third lifetime start, he returned to win and dominate the Arkansas Derby. He will head to Kentucky as Pletcher’s number-one prospect and should be right there at the end with a chance.
4. Audible
Derby Points/Rank: 110 – 3rd
Race Record: (5) 4-0-1
Earnings: $882,920
Breeding: Into Mischief – Blue Devil Bel
Owner: WinStar Farm, China Horse Club International, and SF Racing
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Last Race: Grade 1 Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park, Finished 1st
Analysis: You have to believe in him now after another great effort at Gulfstream Park in the Florida Derby. His running style is exactly what you need to win a race like the Kentucky Derby: he can sit close to the pace and pounce at the right time. He did look to be a little tired towards the end of the race, but at this point, it’s hard to knock him; he just keeps winning.
5. Mendelssohn
Derby Points/Rank: 100 – 8th
Race Record: (7) 4-1-0
Earnings: $1,961,137
Breeding: Scat Daddy – Leslie’s Lady
Owner: Michael Tabor, Mrs. John Magnier, and Derrick Smith
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien
Last Race: Group 1 UAE Derby at Meydan Race Course, Finished 1st
Analysis: With a “wow” performance in the UAE Derby, this horse has become a serious player. He seems to relish the dirt and has the pedigree to run all day long. The big question mark will be his ability to buck the trend of UAE Derby winners not running well when coming to Kentucky, but this may be the best horse to win that race and then come to the United States for the Derby. Plus, he has shipped here before, so that could be another advantage. He should be a major player.
6. Good Magic
Derby Points/Rank: 134 – 2nd
Race Record: (5) 2-2-1
Earnings: $1,855,000
Breeding: Curlin – Glinda the Good
Owner: e Five Racing Thoroughbreds and Stonestreet Stables
Trainer: Chad Brown
Last Race: Grade 2 Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland, Finished 1st
Analysis: The Champ is BACK! Good Magic disappointed in his 3-year-old debut but rebounded to win the Blue Grass in workman-like fashion. The win shows that he’s on a similar progression as his 2-year-old year when he put up his best effort in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. He’s back in the conversation and is one that you have to take seriously as we head into the Kentucky Derby.
7. Vino Rosso
Derby Points/Rank: 107 – 5th
Race Record: (5) 3-0-1
Earnings: $620,500
Breeding: Curlin – Mythical Bride
Owner: Repole Stable and St. Elias Stable
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Last Race: Grade 2 Wood Memorial at Aqueduct, Finished 1st
Analysis: This horse had been a work in progress all winter/spring long for Pletcher, and that work came to fruition with a win in the Wood Memorial. He should like as the distances get longer and the Curlin colt will improve with age. He’s a real sleeper at this point.
8. My Boy Jack
Derby Points/Rank: 52 – 14th
Race Record: (10) 3-3-2
Earnings: $645,145
Breeding: Creative Cause – Gold N Shaft
Owner: Don’t Tell My Wife Stables and Monomoy Stables LLC
Trainer: Keith Desormeaux
Last Race: Grade 3 Lexington Stakes at Keeneland, Finished 1st
Analysis: This is going to be the best closer in the race, and you can’t help being reminded of Exaggerator when you see him. If the pace melts down, he is going to be hard to hold off. His closing move is quick and devastating, but how long he can sustain that kick is still very much in question.
9. Noble Indy
Derby Points/Rank: 110 – 4th
Race Record: (4) 3-0-1
Earnings: $691,600
Breeding: Take Charge Indy – Noble Maz
Owner: WinStar Farm and Repole Stable
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Last Race: Grade 2 Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds, Finished 1st
Analysis: He looked to be completely defeated in the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby, yet somehow re-rallied up the rail to win the race after being passed by Lone Sailor. Pletcher has described this horse as “still green,” but there does seem to be a lot of talent. He also should get better as the distances get longer, which will be to his advantage in the Triple Crown races.
10. Solomini
Derby Points/Rank: 54 – 12th
Race Record: (6) 1-3-2
Earnings: $752,000
Breeding: Curlin – Surf Song
Owner: Zayat Stables
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Last Race: Grade 1 Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park, Finished 3rd
Analysis: He performed very well off of the bench in the Rebel, and came back to do his thing once again with a third place effort in the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby. At this point he doesn’t look to be good enough to make an impact in the Kentucky Derby, but he will fight to the end, and won’t quit. He’s a logical trifecta or superfecta candidate.
11. Flameaway
Derby Points/Rank: 70 – 11th
Race Record: (9) 5-2-0
Earnings: $704,834
Breeding: Scat Daddy – Vulcan Rose
Owner: John C. Oxley
Trainer: Mark Casse
Last Race: Grade 2 Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland, Finished 2nd
Analysis: This horse continues to prove useful, having won or hit the board in three straight Kentucky Derby prep races. No matter the surface, Flameaway shows up with a solid effort. He’s one that you’ll have to run down to win, and he won’t make it easy. He’s proven to be a very tough horse.
12. Quip
Derby Points/Rank: 90 – 10th
Race Record: (5) 3-1-0
Earnings: $482,800
Breeding: Distorted Humor – Princess Ash
Owner: WinStar Farm, China Horse Club, and SF Racing
Trainer: Rodolphe Brisset
Last Race: Grade 1 Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park, Finished 2nd
Analysis: He is quietly having himself a solid 3-year-old campaign that has led him to the Kentucky Derby. His Arkansas Derby effort was similar to his win in the Tampa Bay Derby, but Magnum Moon was just a little too good. If his connections decide to run him in the Derby, then he will at the very least be a pace presence.
13. Enticed
Derby Points/Rank: 103 – 7th
Race Record: (6) 3-1-1
Earnings: $595,680
Breeding: Medaglia d’Oro – It’s Tricky
Owner: Godolphin Racing, LLC
Trainer: Kiaran McLaughlin
Last Race: Grade 2 Wood Memorial at Aqueduct, Finished 2nd
Analysis: He’s proven himself to be a classy horse after solid back-to-back races in New York. His ability to sit off the lead could make him a factor in the Kentucky Derby, but it’s unlikely that he can actually win. This could be a nice horse to use underneath, though.
14. Hofburg
Derby Points/Rank: 40 – 18th
Race Record: (3) 1-1-0
Earnings: $223,800
Breeding: Tapit – Soothing Touch
Owner: Juddmonte Farms, Inc.
Trainer: Bill Mott
Last Race: Grade 1 Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park, Finished 2nd
Analysis: He earned a ton of respect for finishing second in a Grade 1 despite just breaking his maiden a few weeks prior. His lack of experience will be an issue in Kentucky, but this could be a horse to keep an eye on later in the season.
15. Free Drop Billy
Derby Points/Rank: 44 – 16th
Race Record: (8) 2-3-2
Earnings: $625,220
Breeding: Union Rags – Trensa
Owner: Albaugh Family Stables LLC
Trainer: Dale Romans
Last Race: Grade 2 Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland, Finished 3rd
Analysis: “He’s just sort of there” is how Dan Keener described him after his third-place effort in the Blue Grass, and that statement is so accurate. The horse, while consistent, has been fairly underwhelming as a 3-year-old. There’s no doubt that he’ll have to step up his game in order to have a shot in the Derby.
16. Lone Sailor
Derby Points/Rank: 42 – 17th
Race Record: (8) 1-3-1
Earnings: $334,237
Breeding: Majestic Warrior – Ambitious
Owner: G M B Racing
Trainer: Tom Amoss
Racing Dudes Fantasy League Owner: NONE
Analysis: There were many people who hyped Lone Sailor in the Louisiana Derby, and he somehow lived up to it, finishing second by only a head. That finish might have earned him a spot in the starting gate for the Kentucky Derby, but it’s unlikely that he makes much of an impact.
17. Promises Fulfilled
Derby Points/Rank: 52 – 14th
Race Record: (5) 3-0-1
Earnings: $337,280
Breeding: Shackleford – Marquee Delivery
Owner: Robert J. Baron
Trainer: Dale Romans
Last Race: Grade 1 Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park, Finished 9th
Analysis: After engaging in a wicked pace duel with Strike Power in the Florida Derby, he basically had no chance, and both horses faded to finish last and second to last. The horse will play a factor in every race that he enters due to his early speed, but he must learn to control it.
18. Firenze Fire
Derby Points/Rank: 39 – 19th
Race Record: (9) 4-1-0
Earnings: $669,100
Breeding: Poseidon’s Warrior – My Every Wish
Owner: Mr. Amore Stables
Trainer: Jason Servis
Last Race: Grade 2 Wood Memorial at Aqueduct, Finished 4th
Analysis: With the defection of Runaway Ghost, Firenze Fire is now back in the Kentucky Derby. It’s hard to see him making any impact whatsoever unless there is a complete pace meltdown that allows him to pick up a minor award.
19. Bravazo
Derby Points/Rank: 54 – 13th
Race Record: (8) 3-1-1
Earnings: $436,528
Breeding: Awesome Again – Tiz o’ Gold
Owner: Calumet Farm
Trainer: D. Wayne Lukas
Last Race: Grade 2 Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds, Finished 8th
Analysis: The Louisiana Derby was a complete disaster for Bravazo. He tried to lug out the entire race, and you could tell that he was never comfortable. The good news is that he was sound afterward and looks to still be moving forward to the Kentucky Derby. Draw a line through that last effort.
20. Gronkowski
Derby Points/Rank: European Qualifier
Race Record: (6) 4-1-0
Earnings: $135,644
Breeding: Lonhro – Four Sugars
Owner: Phoenix Thoroughbred Limited
Trainer: Jeremy Noseda
Last Race: Burradon Stakes at Newcastle, Finished 1st
Analysis: He has qualified for the Kentucky Derby by means of a rule that needs to be changed. He doesn’t look like he belongs, but he may take a lot of money on Kentucky Derby day because of his name, which is good for serious players who know that he’s a toss.
Before you make a wager on the Kentucky Derby be sure to grab the Winning Advice of the Horse Racing Experts at On Top of the Line Sports. We will have you Winner, Exacta, Trifecta and much more for Derby Day!