The Kentucky Derby is May 2, and it should be one of the most competitive editions of the race in years. A full field of 20 3-year-old Thoroughbreds is expected to enter the Churchill Downs starting gate just 1¼ miles from Derby glory.
With so many horses that have prepped in key races across the country ... and globe ... it can be difficult to keep up with all of them. Don't worry, we've created a handy cheat sheet to get you up to speed on all the contenders. Read on to get the scoop.
The contenders are listed by points earned on the Road to the Kentucky Derby Leaderboard until post positions are drawn.
International Star
Jockey: Miguel Mena
Trainer: Mike Maker
Owner: Ken and Sarah Ramsey
Career Record: 9 starts - 5 wins, 2 seconds, 0 thirds
Career Earnings: $1,010,979
Earnings Per Start: $112,331
Pedigree: Fusaichi Pegasus - Parlez, by French Deputy
Color: Bay
Running Style: Closer
Notable Achievements and Interesting Facts: Comes into the Kentucky Derby having won three consecutive races, including the Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds in New Orleans. International Star is the first horse since Friesan Fire in 2009 to win all three major Fair Grounds prep races for the Kentucky Derby. International Star is a son of sire Fusaichi Pegasus, who won the Kentucky Derby in 2000. His owners, Ken and Sarah Ramsey, have won more races at Churchill Downs than any other owners in the racetrack's history.
Dortmund
Jockey: Martin Garcia
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Owner: Kaleem Shah
Career Record: 6 starts - 6 wins, 0 seconds, 0 thirds
Career Earnings: $1,289,400
Earnings Per Start: $214,900
Pedigree: Big Brown - Our Josephina, by Tale of the Cat
Color: Chestnut
Running Style: Pacesetter
Notable Achievements and Interesting Facts: Unable to sell as a foal due to his massive size, Dortmund was first consigned as a yearling in the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky July sale of selected yearlings and then again as a 2-year old. Kaleem Shah's bloodstock agent purchased the 2-year-old colt for $140,000 and then Shah named him in honor of the German soccer team Borussia Dortmund. Dortmund is one of two undefeated horses poised to enter the 2015 Kentucky Derby starting gate along with Materiality. Dortmund's sire, Big Brown, won the 2008 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes.
Carpe Diem
Jockey: John Velazquez
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Owner: WinStar Farm and Stonestreet Stable
Career Record: 5 starts - 4 wins, 1 second, 0 thirds
Career Earnings: $1,519,800
Earnings Per Start: $303,960
Pedigree: Giant's Causeway - Rebridled Dreams, by Unbridled's Song
Color: Chestnut
Running Style: Pacesetter/Stalker
Notable Achievements and Interesting Facts: Before ever competing in a race, Carpe Diem sold for $1.6-million at auction, so there have been high expectations for this colt from the start. Both his trainer (Todd Pletcher) and jockey (John Velazquez) have Kentucky Derby victories on their résumés, and co-owner WinStar Farm won the Kentucky Derby in 2010 with Super Saver. After a win in the Tampa Bay Derby, Carpe Diem most recently won the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland, and he will be riding a two-race winning streak heading into the Kentucky Derby.
American Pharoah
Jockey: Victor Espinoza
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Owner: Zayat Stables
Career Record: 5 starts - 4 wins, 0 seconds, 0 thirds
Career Earnings: $1,411,500
Earnings Per Start: $282,300
Pedigree: Pioneerof the Nile - Littleprincessemma, by Yankee Gentleman
Color: Bay
Running Style: Pacesetter
Notable Achievements and Interesting Facts: After finishing fifth in his career debut, American Pharoah won a Grade 1 race his next time out and was voted champion 2-year-old male at the 2014 Eclipse Awards. The colt is a Zayat Stables homebred and was actually listed as a $300,000 sale yearling, but "bought back" by Zayat, who apparently suffered from seller's remorse. His jockey, Victor Espinoza, has won the Kentucky Derbyand Preakness Stakes in the same year twice - last year with California Chrome and withWar Emblem in 2002.
Frosted
Jockey: Joel Rosario
Trainer: Kiaran McLaughlin
Owner: Godolphin Racing
Career Record: 7 starts - 2 wins, 4 seconds, 0 thirds
Career Earnings: $836,800
Earnings Per Start: $119,543
Pedigree: Tapit - Fast Cookie, by Deputy Minister
Color: Gray or roan
Running Style: Stalker
Notable Achievements and Interesting Facts: Backed by the powerful team of Godolphin Racing and trainer Kiaran McLaughlin, Frosted comes into the Derby off an impressive score in the Grade 1 Wood Memorial Stakes at Aqueduct. Prior to that race, Frosted hadn't won in four races dating to his first career victory last October. Still, he's only finished off the board (not in the top three) once in his career. His jockey is Joel Rosario, who won the 2013 Kentucky Derby aboard Orb.
Mubtaahij
Jockey: Christophe Soumillon
Trainer: Mike de Kock
Owner: Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa al Maktoum
Career Record: 7 starts - 4 wins, 1 second, 0 thirds
Career Earnings: $1,461,332
Earnings Per Start: $208,762
Pedigree: Dubawi - Pennegale, by Pennekamp
Color: Bay
Running Style: Stalker
Notable Achievements and Interesting Facts: Mubtaahij received his 100 qualifying points toward the Kentucky Derby in his last start, an eight-length win in the United Arab Emirates Derby at Meydan in Dubai. He won the last two legs of the UAE Triple Crown and will be the first horse in 10 years to run without Lasix (anti-bleeding medication furosemide) in the Kentucky Derby. Due to international shipping regulations, his South African-based trainer Mike de Kock wasn't allowed to bring along his special feed mix, so the horse will run the biggest race of his life halfway around the world on a new diet.
Materiality
Jockey: Javier Castellano
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Owner: Alto Racing
Career Record: 3 starts - 3 wins, 0 seconds, 0 thirds
Career Earnings: $656,029
Earnings Per Start: $218,676
Pedigree: Afleet Alex - Wildwood Flower, by Langfuhr
Color: Bay
Running Style: Pacesetter
Notable Achievements and Interesting Facts: Materiality enters the Kentucky Derby with an undefeated record, including a victory in the $1-million Besilu Stables Florida Derby. Materiality's sire, Afleet Alex, found success in the 2005 Triple Crown by winning both the Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes (Afleet Alex finished third in the Kentucky Derby). It must be noted that Materiality will be attempting to become the first Kentucky Derby winner in 133 years to not have competed in a race as a 2-year-old. The last horse to accomplish the feat was Apollo in 1882.
El Kabeir
Jockey: Calvin Borel
Trainer: John P. Terranova II
Owner: Zayat Stables
Career Record: 9 starts - 4 wins, 2 seconds, 2 thirds
Career Earnings: $768,892
Earnings Per Start: $85,432
Pedigree: Scat Daddy - Great Venue, by Unbridled's Song
Color: Gray or roan
Running Style: Stalker
Notable Achievements and Interesting Facts: The colt has been a factor in all of hisKentucky Derby prep races. He comes off a third-place finish in the Wood Memorial Stakesat Aqueduct. The Kentucky Derby will be the eighth straight start in a graded stakes. Impressively, in those races he's finished no worse than fourth, including a trio of wins. He one of three horses in the field owned by Zayat Stables.
Upstart
Jockey: Jose Ortiz
Trainer: Rick Violette
Owner: Ralph Evans and WinStar Farm
Career Record: 7 starts -- 3 firsts, 3 seconds, 1 third
Career Earnings: $971,480
Earnings Per Start: $138,783
Pedigree: Flatter - Party Silks, by Touch Gold
Color: Dark Bay
Running Style: Stalker
Notable Achievements and Interesting Facts: He ran a valiant third in the Grade 1Breeders' Cup Juvenile last year. He then shipped to Florida, where he spent the entire winter preparing for the Kentucky Derby. Won the Grade 2 Holy Bull Stakes and the finished second in both the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth (via disqualification) and the Grade 1 Florida Derby. His jockey, Jose Ortiz, will be riding in his second Derby after finishing fifth last year aboard Samraat who, like Upstart, was bred in New York and trained by Rick Violette. Only one New York-bred has ever won the Kentucky Derby, Funny Cide in 2003.
Jockey: Mike Smith
Trainer: Ron Moquett
Owner: Robert LaPenta and Harry Rosenblum
Career Record: 9 starts -- 3 firsts, 3 seconds, 2 thirds
Career Earnings: $625,766
Earnings Per Start: $69,530
Pedigree: Notional - Zindi, by Vindication
Color: Chestnut
Running Style: Deep closer
Notable Achievements and Interesting Facts: Known for his big late kick, Far Right often falls more than eight lengths off the lead before making his move. A late rally last out in the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby earned him a second-place finish behind probable Derby favoriteAmerican Pharoah. Prior to that race, Far Right won the Smarty Jones Stakes and the Grade 3 Southwest Stakes - both at Oaklawn Park. Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith, who won the Kentucky Derby in 2005 with long shot Giacomo, will ride Far Right.
Jockey: Luis Saez
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Owner: Starlight Racing
Career Record: 4 starts - 3 wins, 0 seconds, 0 thirds
Career Earnings: $335,360
Earnings Per Start: $83,840
Pedigree: Lemon Drop Kid - Stormy B, by Cherokee Run
Color: Bay
Running Style: Stalker
Notable Achievements and Interesting Facts: The Kentucky Derby will be the colt's first race outside of the state of Florida. Itsaknockout has been based at Gulfstream Park for Todd Pletcher and has seen great success at the venue but he comes off of a very distant fourth in the Florida Derby. Before then, he cruised to three straight victories, including one in the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth (by disqualification).
Firing Line
Jockey: Gary Stevens
Trainer: Simon Callaghan
Owner: Arnold Zetcher
Career Record: 5 starts -2 wins, 3 seconds, 0 thirds
Career Earnings: $574,800
Earnings Per Start: $114,960
Pedigree: Line of David - Sister Girl Blues, by Hold for Gold
Color: Bay
Running Style: Pacesetter/Stalker
Notable Achievements and Interesting Facts: Firing Line was hand-ridden to victory in the Sunland Derby. However, since its inception in 2003, no Sunland Derby victor has won the Kentucky Derby. Mine That Bird finished fourth in the 2009 Sunland Derby before winning the Kentucky Derby at 50.60-to-1 odds. If you need a betting angle for Firing Line, one of the sport's all-time greats Gary Stevens gets the mount. Stevens has won the Kentucky Derby three times and should have the colt in the best possible position to contend.
Danzig Moon
Jockey: Julien Leparoux
Trainer: Mark Casse
Owner: John Oxley
Career Record: 5 starts -- 1 first, 2 seconds, 0 thirds
Career Earnings: $251,120
Earnings Per Start: $50,224
Pedigree: Malibu Moon - Leaveminthedust, by Danzig
Color: Bay
Running Style: Stalker
Notable Achievements and Interesting Facts: His five starts are among the fewest of anyKentucky Derby contender. An improving colt, Danzig Moon finished second behind Carpe Diem in the Grade 1 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes. He's a son of Malibu Moon, who sired 2013 Kentucky Derby winner Orb. He's also owned by Kentucky Derby winner John Oxley. Oxley captured the 2001 run for the roses with Monarchos, whose winning time is the second-fastest in Derby history behind Secretariat. Danzig Moon's late running style make him an especially interesting longshot contender if the early pace of the Derby is fast.
War Story
Jockey: Joe Talamo
Trainer: Tom Amoss
Owner: Loooch Racing Stables, Glenn K. Ellis. and Christopher T. Dunn
Career Record: 5 starts - 2 wins, 2 seconds, 1 third
Career Earnings: $243,600
Earnings Per Start: $48,720
Pedigree: Northern Afleet - Belle Watling, by Pulpit
Color: Chestnut
Running Style: Closer
Notable Achievements and Interesting Facts: This gelding was based in New Orleans at Fair Grounds. He raced in all three of the track's Derby preps: the Lecomte Stakes, the Risen Star Stakes, and the Louisiana Derby. Each time out in those preps he succumbed to the overpowering runs of International Star, but finished no worse than third. Trainer Tom Amoss has been a dominant force in New Orleans but has yet to capture his first Kentucky Derby.
Tencendur
Jockey: Jose Ortiz
Trainer: George Weaver
Owner: Phillip S. Birsh
Career Record: 5 starts -- 1 first, 1 second, 1 third
Career Earnings: $253,500
Earnings Per Start: $50,700
Pedigree: Warrior's Reward - Still Secret, by Hennessy
Color: Bay
Running Style: Stalker
Notable Achievements and Interesting Facts: Tencendur shares a name with the warhorse of King Charlemagne in "The Song of Roland" (the oldest surviving major work of French literature and an epic poem based on the Battle of Roncevaux in 778). As longshot in the Wood Memorial Stakes, his second-place finish earned him 40 points toward theKentucky Derby and he paid $15.40 to place and $5.60 to show. His grandsire (sire's father), Medaglia d'Oro, ran fourth in the 2002 Kentucky Derby and his sire's most significant win was the Grade 1 Carter Handicap in 2010 at Aqueduct.
Stanford
Jockey: Florent Geroux
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Owner: Stonestreet Stables LLC, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, and Derrick Smith
Career Record: 5 starts - 2 firsts, 1 second, 0 thirds
Career Earnings: $199,400
Earnings Per Start: $39,880
Pedigree: Malibu Moon - Rosy Humor, by Distorted Humor
Color: Bay
Running Style: Pacesetter
Notable Achievements and Interesting Facts: Stanford's second-place finish behindInternational Star in the Louisiana Derby on March 28 gained the colt 40 points toward theKentucky Derby. He is one of three Derby contenders sired by Malibu Moon, sire of 2013 Kentucky Derby winner Orb.
Mr. Z
Jockey: Ramon Vazquez
Trainer: D. Wayne Lukas
Owner: Zayat Stables
Career Record: 12 starts - 1 first, 4 seconds, 4 thirds
Career Earnings: $652,226
Earnings Per Start: $54,352
Pedigree: Malibu Moon - Stormy Bear, by Storm Cat
Color: Chestnut
Running Style: Stalker
Notable Achievements and Interesting Facts: Mr. Z has had a steady career, competing and placing in a number of graded stakes such as the Grade 2 Toyota Saratoga Special Stakes at Saratoga Race Course and Delta Downs Jackpot Stakes and most recently finished third in the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby behind American Pharoah and Far Right.
Ocho Ocho Ocho
Jockey: Kent Desormeaux
Trainer: James Cassidy
Owner: DP Racing, LLC
Career Record: 5 starts - 3 firsts, 0 seconds, 1 third
Career Earnings: $793,850
Earnings Per Start: $158,770
Pedigree: Street Sense - Winner, by Horse Chestnut
Color: Dark Bay
Running Style: Pacesetter
Notable Achievements and Interesting Facts: Ocho Ocho Ocho caught the eye of many in November 2014 when he finished first in the Juvenile Turf Sprint Stakes. The Street Sense colt went on shortly after to win the Delta Downs Jackpot Stakes at Delta Downs and most recently finished third in the Grade 1 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes.
Bolo
Jockey: Rafael Bejarano
Trainer: Carla Gaines
Owner: Golden Pegasus Racing and Earle Mack
Career Record: 5 starts - 2 wins, 0 seconds, 2 thirds
Career Earnings: $249,700
Earnings Per Start: $49,940
Pedigree: Temple City - Aspen Mountain, by Chief Seattle
Color: Dark Bay
Running Style: Stalker
Notable Achievements and Interesting Facts: Bolo began his career racing on the turf, but enters the Kentucky Derby after finishing third in both the San Felipe Stakes and Santa Anita Derby on dirt. While Bolo has never competed outside the state of California, his jockey, Rafael Bejarano, has been quite successful in Kentucky, where he has multiple riding titles at Churchill Downs to his credit. In the Kentucky Derby, Bolo will be looking to turn the tables on Dortmund, who has defeated him in two consecutive races.
Madefromlucky
Jockey: TBD
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Owner: Cheyenne Stables LLC and Mac Nichol
Career Record: 7 starts - 2 wins, 2 seconds, 1 third
Career Earnings: $258,700
Earnings Per Start: $36,957
Pedigree: Lookin At Lucky - Home From Oz, by Pulpit
Color: Chestnut
Running Style: Stalker
Notable Achievements and Interesting Facts: Has finished second and fourth in his two starts against the most likely Kentucky Derby favorite American Pharoah. His sire, Lookin at Lucky, was a talented racehorse who finished a troubled sixth in the 2010 Kentucky Derby but went on to win the Preakness, Haskell, and Indiana Derby. His dam, Home from Oz, is a full-sister (same dam [mother], same sire [father]) to leading sire Tapit.
Keen Ice
Jockey: James Graham
Trainer: Dale Romans
Owner: Donegal Racing
Career Record: 7 starts - 1 wins, 0 seconds, 2 thirds
Career Earnings: $160,395
Earnings Per Start: $22,914
Pedigree: Curlin - Medmak, by Awesome Again
Color: Bay
Running Style: Closer
Notable Achievements and Interesting Facts: He has achieved something that many others in the Derby have not by posting a win at Churchill Downs. Of course, that was his only win to date. His sire, Curlin, was a tremendous race horse who went on to win races such as the Preakness, Breeders' Cup Classic and the Dubai World Cup. Owners Donegal Racing finished third in the 2010 Kentucky Derby with Paddy O' Prado, who also was trained by Dale Romans.
Frammento
Jockey: TBD
Trainer: Nick Zito
Owner: Mossarosa
Career Record: 7 starts - 1 win, 1 second, 1 third
Career Earnings: $139,700
Earnings Per Start: $19,957
Pedigree: Midshipman - Ginger Bay, by Golden Missile
Color: Chestnut
Running Style: Closer
Notable Achievements and Interesting Facts: His running style suggests the longer distance of the Kentucky Derby might benefit him. His fourth-place finish in the Blue Grass Stakes could be an indication that he's getting better at the right time. His sire, Midshipman, earned success as a 2-year-old when winning the Del Mar Futurity and the Breeders' Cup Juvenile in 2008. His dam, Ginger Bay, finished first or second in five of her six lifetime starts, including a win in the Spring Fever Stakes. His trainer, Nick Zito, is in the Hall of Fame and has won the Kentucky Derby twice (Strike the Gold, 1991; Go For Gin, 1994).
Bold Conquest
Jockey: Luis Quinonez
Trainer: Steve Asmussen
Owner: Ackerley Brothers Farm
Career Record: 7 starts - 1 win, 2 seconds, 2 thirds
Career Earnings: $258,576
Earnings Per Start: $36,939
Pedigree: Curlin - One for Jim, by Distorted Humor
Color: Chestnut
Running Style: Stalker
Notable Achievements and Interesting Facts: He owns valuable experience on the Churchill Downs dirt main track as he finished second in the Grade 3 Iroquois Stakes during his 2-year-old campaign. His sire, Curlin, was a tremendous racehorse who went on to win races such as the Preakness, Breeders' Cup Classic and Dubai World Cup. His dam, One for Jim, won two of her 12 lifetime start and finished second in two stakes: the Sunland Park Oaks and the Island Fashion Stakes. One for Jim was also owned by Ackerley Brothers Farm and trained by Steve Asmussen.
As part of an ongoing commitment to new fan development, America's Best Racing (ABR) in 2013 launched a national bus tour designed to increase interest in the lifestyle and competition of America's high profile Thoroughbred races and big event days across the country.
Dubbed the "ABRV", the 45-foot-long tour bus traveled around the country, beginning in March 2013, with six young, enthusiastic brand ambassadors. The ambassadors met with national and local media outlets and appear on college campuses, and in high-traffic areas and strategic locations within each destination city. The energetic group focused on attracting a younger audience to the sport of horse racing, specifically the big race day events in each city.
The project was renewed for 2014 and 2015 with the six ambassadors embedded in key markets in Miami (Vince Mathews), Chicago (Mike Johnson), New York (Victoria Garofalo, Dan Tordjman) and Los Angeles (Jose Contreras, Ciara Austin). The project serves as a key component to America's Best Racing's commitment to grow the sport of horse racing and build the next generation of racing fans.
