The first weekend of May brings the eyes of the world upon Kentucky. The G1 Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve is the most iconic race in North American Thoroughbred racing, and one of the most recognizable races in the entire world.
While the Kentucky Derby is often symbolized by Mint Juleps, big hats and high fashion, at the heart of it all is the horse. For 149 years, the Derby has represented the hopes and dreams of countless horsemen and women whose goal is to one day be victorious in the run for the roses.
A number of factors make the Derby a unique race – the race is only open to three year old horses (therefore horses only have one shot at running in the race), up to 20 horses can enter the starting gate (the biggest field of race in North America) and the race is run at a mile and a quarter (a longer distance than the entrants have run previously). Along with the huge crowd and fanfare that go along with America’s most popular horse race, it takes a special horse to win this race.
This year, 19 Thoroughbred colts will enter the starting gates on Saturday, May 6 for their shot at the history books. We’re thrilled to be cheering on a number of horses in the field with connections to our #VisitHorseCountry members. Congratulations to these horses, their connections, and our members who played a part in their success.
The G1 Kentucky Derby field, presented in post position order:
- #1 Hit Show
- Sired by Candy Ride (ARG), standing at Lane’s End Farm
- Damsire is Tapit, standing at Gainesway Farm
- Fueled by Hallway Feeds
- #2 Verifying
- Sired by Justify, standing at Coolmore’s Ashford Stud
- His last Derby prep was a second place finish in the G1 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland
- Sold at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale in 2021
- Fueled by Hallway Feeds
- #3 Two Phil’s
- Sired by Hard Spun, standing at Darley’s Jonabell Farm
- Sold at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale in 2021
- #4 Confidence Game
- Sired by Candy Ride (ARG), standing at Lane’s End Farm
- Consigned by Lane’s End Farm at the 2021 Keeneland September Yearling Sale
- Fueled by Hallway Feeds
- #5 Tapit Trice
- Sired by Tapit, standing at Gainesway Farm
- Born at and bred by Gainesway Farm, and consigned by the farm at the 2021 Keeneland September Yearling Sale
- Currently co-owned by Gainesway Stable with Whisper Hill Farm, LLC
- #6 Kingsbarns
- Owned by Spendthrift Farm
- Sired by Uncle Mo, standing at Coolmore’s Ashford Stud
- Damsire is Tapit, standing at Gainesway Farm
- #7 Reincarnate
- Sold at the Keeneland September Yearling sale
- Fueled by Hallway Feeds
- #8 Mage
- Born and raised at Runnymede Farm
- Sold at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale
- #9 Skinner – SCR
- #10 Practical Move – SCR
- #11 Disarm
- Sired by Gun Runner, standing at Three Chimneys Farm
- Damsire is Tapit, standing at Gainesway Farm
- His last prep race was a third place finish in the Stonestreet Lexington Stakes at Keeneland
- #12 Jace’s Road
- Sired by Quality Road, standing at Lane’s End Farm
- Born and raised at Taylor Made Farm, which consigned the colt at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale
- Fueled by Hallway Feeds
- #13 Sun Thunder
- sired by Into Mischief, standing at Spendthrift Farm
- Damsire is Medaglia d’Oro, standing at Darley’s Jonabell Farm.
- Fueled by Hallway Feeds
- #14 Angel of Empire
- Sired by Classic Empire, standing at Coolmore’s Ashford Stud
- Sold at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale
- Fueled by Hallway Feeds
- #15 Forte
- #16 Raise Cain
- Sold at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale
- His last prep race was a fifth place finish in the G1 Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland
- Fueled by Hallway Feeds
- #17 Derma Sotogake
- Bred and raced in Japan, Derma Sotogake comes to the Kentucky Derby by way of the UAE Derby in Dubai
- His sire, Mind Your Biscuits, was a popular G1-winning sprinter in the United States
- #18 Rocket Can
- Sired by Into Mischief, standing at Spendthrift Farm
- Fueled by Hallway Feeds
- Born and raised at WinStar Farm
- #19 Lord Miles SCR
- #20 Continuar SCR
- #21 Cyclone Mischief
- Sired by Into Mischief, standing at Spendthrift Farm
- Sold at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale
- Draws into the Kentucky Derby after three defections
- #22 Mandarin Hero
- Bred, raised and raced in Japan, Mandarin Hero placed a close second in the G1 Santa Anita Derby in his most recent start.
- Draws into the Kentucky Derby after three defections.
- #23 King Russell
- Sired by Creative Cause, standing at Airdrie Stud
- Bred by Brereton Jones’ Airdrie Stud, which now co-owns the colt with Naber Racing, LLC
- Draws into the Kentucky Derby after three defections.
Tune in to the Kentucky Derby on NBC and Peacock beginning at 12 p.m. ET on Saturday, May 6. Post time for the Kentucky Derby is set for approximately 6:57 p.m. ET.