Kentucky Derby 2019: The Contenders
The Kentucky Derby is one of the oldest and most prestigious horse racing events on the planet. The inaugural race was held back in 1875 and it has been a regular feature since then. The first leg of the American Triple Crown, the Kentucky Derby, continues to attract the best three-year-old thoroughbreds on a yearly basis.
Secretariat holds the course record for the fastest time; he is one of only two runners to finish in under two minutes. In that very same year, Secretariat went on to win the Triple Crown – a feat achieved by 2018 Kentucky Derby winner Justify. This year, we have a whole host of contenders looking to cement their status as the fastest three-year-old over one mile, two furlongs.
Game Winner On Verge of Something Special
With four wins from four, Game Winner remains unbeaten on the all-weather surface. He is a special horse on paper and ticks all the right boxes to enjoy a successful racing career. It takes a talented type to claim three Grade 1 victories at just three years old and we know he stays the trip after a strong showing in the American Pharaoh Stakes at Santa Anita.
Tips on the big race will be available at myracing as May’s big race draws closer, and Game Winner is a worthy favorite. Will he justify his +900 odds on the biggest stage of his early career? Only time will tell. You certainly won’t find too many punters writing him off.
Odds: +900
Improbable Gives Bob Baffert Another Top Chance
Bob Baffert may also enter Improbable for May’s showpiece event – the trainer is looking for a sixth Kentucky Derby success. Like Game Winner, Improbable has a Grade 1 win under his belt and definitely stays the trip. In fact, his win at Los Amalitos was over the extended 1 and a half miles. Improbable should finish strongly and he could pip his rivals at the post.
Drayden Van Dyke is one of the best jockeys in North America and he could take the ride on Improbable come Kentucky Derby race day. It wouldn’t be a huge surprise to see a Baffert 1-2 in the race but picking a winner is not straightforward by any means.
Odds: +1000
If nothing else, it should be an exciting and competitive way to end the two-week-long Kentucky Derby Festival. As mentioned in Racing Post’s guide to racing, studying form is essential for any horse racing event but even more so for a race of this caliber. Only the bravest, strongest and most naturally talented horses can win the Kentucky Derby.
With less than four months until the 2019 renewal, time is running out for bettors to make their picks. Will it be Game Winner or can the likeable Improbable fend off his rivals with a front-running performance? All eyes will on Churchill Downs for May’s showpiece meeting and it could go down as one of the greatest Kentucky Derbies of all-time.