By Ed McNamara and Richard Rosenblatt
The field is set for the 146th running of the $3 million Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs on Saturday.
Tiz the Law, the Belmont Stakes (G1) and Travers (G1) winner, is the prohibitive 3-5 morning-line favorite by track oddsmaker Mike Battaglia on Tuesday. Honor A.P., winner of the Santa Anita Derby (G1), is the second choice at 5-1 in a field of 18. Authentic, winner of the Haskell (G1), is the third choice at 8-1. The top three choices leave form the three outside posts – Honor A.P. (16), Tiz the Law (17) and Authentic (18).
“I like being on the outside, I didn’t particularly want to be out that far but he seems to handle everything that’s thrown at him so we’ll just have to leave it up to him,’’ Tiz the Law trainer Barclay Tagg said. “It gives you a chance, if you have any speed at all, it gives you a chance to get a better position.”
The No. 17 post has been most unlucky, producing zero winners from 41 starters. Last year, Spinoff finished 18th from the No. 17 post.
Just before the draw, Blue Grass (2) winner Art Collector was not entered after sustaining a minor foot injury; he was considered a top contender. . Also, South Bend was a late entry and is one of eight horses listed at 50-1 odds.
Five-time Derby winner Bob Baffert has two horses in the field, Authentic and Thousand Words (15-1), as he seeks a record-equaling sixth victory in the Run for the Roses.
The 2020 Derby is the second leg of the Triple Crown instead of the first. The Belmont, traditionally the final leg, was run on June 20. The Preakness (G1) will be the final leg, on Oct. 5.
Below are updated profiles of the 18 horses scheduled to run, listed by post position:
6. KING GUILLERMO -Scratch-
Ran a solid second, beaten three lengths, May 2 in the split Arkansas Derby (G1) behind Bob Baffert’s Nadal, who at the time was rated up there with Tiz the Law.
The problem is that King Guillermo hasn’t run since, and winning the Kentucky Derby (G1) off a four-month layoff would be a monumental achievement.
The colt, owned by former major-leaguer Victor Martinez, has talent, but going in without a prep makes him an automatic throw out for me.
Nonetheless, he’s been thriving since he arrived at Churchill Downs, working 5 furlongs under 1:00 in his previous two drills. Most recently, he covered the distance in 58.20 seconds on Aug. 22, fastest of 40 at the distance.
“I think he’s really enjoying being in Kentucky,” trainer Juan Avila said recently. “We’re very happy with how he’s taken to the track and his workouts the last two weeks.”
Odds: SCR
Post position: 6
Jockey: Samy Camacho
Trainer: Juan Carlos Avila
The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.