by Margaret Ransom
Following are some stats for all of the likely starters for Kentucky Derby 145, including post position statistics, Derby records for each trainer, owner and jockey, as well as significant prep race information (winners of both the prep and the Derby in bold.)
Post positions reflect positions in the starting gate after the scratches of Omaha Beach and Haikal. All runners maintain saddle towel/betting numbers.
Horses are listed in post-position order. (All information accumulated since 1980.)
1. War of Will, 15-1
Won Risen Star Stakes (GII), 9th in Louisiana Derby
-Post position 2 (89-7-5-13 7.9% win 28.1% ITM. Last winner: Affirmed, 1978
-Trainer Mark Casse: 6-0-0-0
-Owner Gary Barber: two Derby starters, no winners
-Jockey Tyler Gaffalione: one Kentucky Derby mount, no win
*Risen Star Stakes starters in the Derby: 53-1-3-3 (War Emblem, 2002)
*Arkansas Derby starters in the Derby: 110-6-5-8 (American Pharoah, 2015; Super Saver, 2010; Smarty Jones, 2004; Grindstone, 1996; Lil E. Tee, 1992)
2. Tax, 20-1
Won Withers Stakes, 2nd Wood Memorial Stakes
-Post position 3 (89-5-6-8 5.6% win 21.3% ITM. Last winner: Real Quiet, 1998
-Trainer Danny Gargan: first Kentucky Derby starter
-Owner Reeves Racing: one Kentucky Derby starter, not a winner; Hugh Lynch, Corms Racing and R. A. Hill Racing: first Kentucky Derby starter
-Jockey Junior Alvarado: two Kentucky Derby mounts, no winners
*Withers Stakes starters in the Derby: 7-0-0-1
*Wood Memorial starters in the Derby: 93-6-5-3 (Funny Cide, 2003; Fusaichi Pegasus, 2000; Go For Gin, 1994; Pleasant Colony, 1981; Genuine Risk (f), 1980)
3. By My Standards, 15-1
Won Louisiana Derby
-Post position 4 (89-5-6-4) 5.6% win 16.9% ITM. Last winner: Super Saver, 2010
-Trainer Bret Calhoun: first Kentucky Derby starter
-Owner Allied Racing Stable: first Kentucky Derby starter
-Jockey Gabriel Saez: two Kentucky Derby mounts, no winners
*Louisiana Derby starters in the Derby: 78-2-4-5 (Funny Cide, 2003; Grindstone, 1996)
4. Gray Magician, 50-1
2nd UAE Derby
-Post position 5 (89-10-8-4) 11.2% win 24.7% ITM. Last winner: Always Dreaming, 2017
-Trainer Peter Miller: one Kentucky Derby starter, not a winner
-Owner Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners: three Derby Starters, no winners; Gary Barber: two Derby starters, no winners
-Jockey Drayden Van Dyke: one Kentucky Derby mount, not a winner
*UAE Derby starters in the Derby: 13-0-0-0
5. Improbable, 5-1
Won Los Alamitos Futurity, 2nd Rebel Stakes, 2nd Arkansas Derby
-Post position 6 (89-2-8-3) 2.2% win 14.6% ITM. Last winner: Sea Hero, 1993
-Trainer Bob Baffert: 29-5-3-3 (Silver Charm, 1997; Real Quiet, 1998; War Emblem, 2002; American Pharoah, 2015; Justify, 2018)
-Owner WinStar Farm: 21-2-1-2 (Super Saver, 2010; Justify, 2018) China Horse Club: two starters, one winner (Justify, 2018); Starlight Racing: 9-1-0-1 (Justify, 2018)
-Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr.: 3-0-0-0
*Los Alamitos Futurity runners in the Derby: 66-5-8-4 (Giacomo, 2005; Real Quiet, 1998; Thunder Gulch, 1995; Alysheba, 1987; Ferdinand, 1986; Gato Del Sol, 1982)
*Rebel Stakes starters in the Derby: 53-3-2-3 (American Pharoah, 2015; Smarty Jones, 2004; Sunny’s Halo, 1983)
*Arkansas Derby starters in the Derby: 110-6-5-8 (American Pharoah, 2015; Super Saver, 2010; Smarty Jones, 2004; Grindstone, 1996; Lil E. Tee, 1992)
6. Vekoma, 15-1
Won Blue Grass Stakes, 3rd Fountain of Youth Stakes
-post postion 7 (88-7-6-5) 8.0% win 20.5% ITM. Last winner: Justify, 2018
-Trainer George Weaver: one starter, no winners
-Owner R. A. Hill Stable: first starter; Gatsas Stable: first starter
-Jockey Javier Castellano: 12-0-0-1
*Blue Grass Stakes starters in the Derby: 146-7-11-7 (Street Sense, 2007; Thunder Gulch, 1995; Sea Hero, 1993; Strike The Gold, 1991; Unbridled, 1990; Alysheba, 1997; Gato Del Sol, 1982)
7. Maximum Security, 8-1
Won Florida Derby
-post position 8 (88-8-5-4) 9.1% win 19.3% ITM. Last winner, Mine That Bird, 2009
-Trainer Jason Servis: one starter, not a winner
-Owner Gary and Mary West: 3-0-0-0
-Jockey Luis Saez: 6-0-0-0
*Florida Derby starters in the Derby: 113-12-8-5 (Always Dreaming, 2017; Nyquist, 2016; Orb, 2013; Big Brown, 2008; Barbaro, 2006; Monarchos, 2001; Thunder Gulch, 1995; Go For Gin, 1994; Strike the Gold, 1991; Unbridled, 1990; Swale, 1984; Pleasant Colony, 1981)
8. Tacitus, 8-1
Won Wood Memorial Stakes, Won Tampa Bay Derby
-post position 9 (85-4-5-8) 4.7% win 20.0% ITM. Last winner, Riva Ridge, 1972
-Trainer Bill Mott: 8-0-0-0
-Owner Juddmonte Farms: 4-0-2-0
-Jockey Jose L. Ortiz: 4-0-1-0
*Wood Memorial starters in the Derby: 93-6-5-3 (Funny Cide, 2003; Fusaichi Pegasus, 2000; Go For Gin, 1994; Pleasant Colony, 1981; Genuine Risk (f), 1980)
*Tampa Bay Derby starters in the Derby: 38-2-2-3 (Super Saver, 2010; Street Sense, 2007)
9. Plus Que Parfait, 30-1
Won UAE Derby
-post position 10 (82-9-6-9) 11.0% win 29.3% ITM. Last winner: Giacomo, 2005
-Trainer Brendan Walsh: first Kentucky Derby starter
-Owner Imperial Racing: first Kentucky Derby starter
-Jockey Ricardo Santana Jr.: 4-0-0-0
*UAE Derby starters in the Derby: 13-0-0-0
10. Cutting Humor, 30-1
Won Sunland Park Derby
-post position 11 (78-2-5-4) 2.6% win 14.1% ITM. Last winner: Winning Colors, 1988
-Trainer Todd Pletcher: 52-2-24 (Always Dreaming, 2017; Super Saver, 2010)
-Owner Starlight Racing: Starlight Racing: 9-1-0-1 (Justify, 2018)
-Jockey Corey Lanerie: 4-0-1-0
*Sunland Park Derby runners in the Derby: 10-1-1-0 (Mine That Bird, 2009)
11. Haikal, 30-1
Scratched
12. Omaha Beach, 4-1
Scratched
13. Code of Honor, 12-1
Won Fountain of Youth Stakes, 3rd Florida Derby
-post position 12 (74-3-3-3) 4.1% win 12.2% ITM. Last winner: Canonero II, 1971
-Trainer Shug McGaughey: 7-1-1-1 (Orb, 2013)
-Owner William S. Farish: 3-0-0-0
-Jockey John Velazquez: 20-2-1-0 (Animal Kingdom, 2011; Always Dreaming, 2017
*Fountain of Youth starters in the Derby: 94-6-6-4 (Orb, 2013; Thunder Gulch, 1995; Go For Gin, 1994; Unbridled, 1990)
*Florida Derby starters in the Derby: 113-12-8-5 (Always Dreaming, 2017; Nyquist, 2016; Orb, 2013; Big Brown, 2008; Barbaro, 2006; Monarchos, 2001; Thunder Gulch, 1995; Go For Gin, 1994; Strike the Gold, 1991; Unbridled, 1990; Swale, 1984; Pleasant Colony, 1981)
14. Win Win Win, 12-1
2nd Blue Grass Stakes, 3rd Tampa Bay Derby
-post position 13 (72-5-5-7) 6.9% win 23.6% ITM. Last winner: Nyquist, 2016-Trainer Michael Trombetta: one starter, not a winner
-Owner Live Oak Plantation (Charlotte Weber): 3-0-1-0
-Jockey Julian Pimentel: first Derby mount
*Blue Grass Stakes starters in the Derby: 146-7-11-7 (Street Sense, 2007; Thunder Gulch, 1995; Sea Hero, 1993; Strike The Gold, 1991; Unbridled, 1990; Alysheba, 1997; Gato Del Sol, 1982)
*Tampa Bay Derby starters in the Derby: 38-2-2-3 (Super Saver, 2010; Street Sense, 2007)
15. Master Fencer, 50-1
2nd Fukuryu Stakes
-post position 14 (62-2-5-5) 3.2% win 19.4% ITM. Last winner: Carry Back, 1961
-Trainer Koichi Tsunod: first Kentucky Derby starter
-Owner Katsumi Yoshizawa: first Kentucky Derby starter
-Jockey Julien Leparoux: 10-0-0-0
*No Japanese-bred has ever run in the Kentucky Derby
16. Game Winner, 9-2
Won Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, 2nd in Santa Anita Derby
-post position 15 (57-5-2-1) 8.8% win 14.0% ITM. Last winner: American Pharoah
-Trainer Bob Baffert: 29-5-3-3 (Silver Charm, 1997; Real Quiet, 1998; War Emblem, 2002; American Pharoah, 2015; Justify, 2018)
-Owner Gary and Mary West: 3-0-0-0Su
-Jockey Joel Rosario: 8-1-0-0 (Orb, 2013)
*Breeders’ Cup Juvenile runners in the Derby: 100-6-8-8 (Nyquist, 2016; Mine That Bird, 2009; Street Sense, 2007; Sea Hero, 1993; Alysheba, 1987; Spend a Buck, 1985)
*Santa Anita Derby runners in the Derby: 116-11-9-9 (Justify, 2018; California Chrome, 2014; I’ll Have Another, 2012; Giacomo, 2005; Charismatic, 1999; Real Quiet, 1998; Silver Charm, 1997; Sunday Silence, 1989; Winning Colors (f), 1988; Ferdinand, 1986; Gato Del Sol, 1982)
17. Roadster, 5-1
-post position 16 (47-4-3-3) 8.5% win 21.3% ITM. Last winner: Animal Kingdom, 2011
-Trainer Bob Baffert: 29-5-3-3 (Silver Charm, 1997; Real Quiet, 1998; War Emblem, 2002; American Pharoah, 2015; Justify, 2018)
-Owner Speedway Stables LLC: first Derby starter
-Jockey Florent Geroux: 3-0-0-1
*Santa Anita Derby runners in the Derby: 116-11-9-9 (Justify, 2018; California Chrome, 2014; I’ll Have Another, 2012; Giacomo, 2005; Charismatic, 1999; Real Quiet, 1998; Silver Charm, 1997; Sunday Silence, 1989; Winning Colors (f), 1988; Ferdinand, 1986; Gato Del Sol, 1982)
18. Long Range Toddy, 30-1
Won Rebel Stakes
-post position 17 (40-0-1-2 0.0% win 7.5% ITM. No winners from post 17
-Owner Willis Horton: two starters, no winners
-Trainer Steve Asmussen: 19-0-2-2
-Jockey Jon Court: 3-0-0-0
*Rebel Stakes starters in the Derby: 53-3-2-3 (American Pharoah, 2015; Smarty Jones, 2004; Sunny’s Halo, 1983)
19. Spinoff, 30-1
2nd Louisiana Derby
-post position 18 (32-1-4-0) 3.1%win 15.6%ITM Last winner: Gato Del Sol, 1982
-Trainer Todd Pletcher: 52-2-24 (Always Dreaming, 2017; Super Saver, 2010)
-Owner Wertheimer et Frere: first Derby starter
-Jockey Manuel Franco: one Derby mount, no winners
*Louisiana Derby starters in the Derby: 78-2-4-5 (Funny Cide, 2003; Grindstone, 1996)
20. Country House, 30-1
2nd Risen Star Stakes, 3rd Arkansas Derby
-post postion 19: (27-1-1-0) 3.7%win 7.4%ITM Last winner: I’ll Have Another, 2012
-Trainer Bill Mott: 8-0-0-0
-Owner Mrs. J. V. Shields, Jr., E.J.M. Jr. and LNJ Foxwoods: first Derby starter
-Jockey Flavien Prat: 2-0-0-1
*Rebel Stakes starters in the Derby: 53-3-2-3 (American Pharoah, 2015; Smarty Jones, 2004; Sunny’s Halo, 1983)
*Arkansas Derby starters in the Derby: 110-6-5-8 (American Pharoah, 2015; Super Saver, 2010; Smarty Jones, 2004; Grindstone, 1996; Lil E. Tee, 1992)
21. Bodexpress, 30-1
2nd Florida Derby
– post position 20: (17-1-0-1) 5.9%win 11.8%ITM Last winner: Big Brown, 2008
-Owned by: Top Racing, Global Thoroughbreds and GDS Racing: first Derby starter
-Trainer Gustavo Delgado: first Derby Starter
-Jockey Chris Landeros: first Derby mount
*Florida Derby starters in the Derby: 113-12-8-5 (Always Dreaming, 2017; Nyquist, 2016; Orb, 2013; Big Brown, 2008; Barbaro, 2006; Monarchos, 2001; Thunder Gulch, 1995; Go For Gin, 1994; Strike the Gold, 1991; Unbridled, 1990; Swale, 1984; Pleasant Colony, 1981)
California native and lifelong horsewoman Margaret Ransom is a graduate of the University of Arizona’s Race Track Industry Program. She got her start in racing working in the publicity departments at Calder Race Course and Hialeah Park, as well as in the racing office at Gulfstream Park in South Florida. She then spent six years in Lexington, KY, at BRISnet.com, where she helped create and develop the company’s popular newsletters: Handicapper’s Edge and Bloodstock Journal.After returning to California, she served six years as the Southern California news correspondent for BloodHorse, assisted in the publicity department at Santa Anita Park and was a contributor to many other racing publications, including HorsePlayer Magazine and Trainer Magazine. She then spent seven years at HRTV and HRTV.com in various roles as researcher, programming assistant, producer and social media and marketing manager.
She has also walked hots and groomed runners, worked the elite sales in Kentucky for top-class consignors and volunteers for several racehorse retirement organizations, including CARMA.In 2016, Margaret was the recipient of the prestigious Stanley Bergstein Writing Award, sponsored by Team Valor, and was an Eclipse Award honorable mention for her story, “The Shocking Untold Story of Maria Borell,” which appeared on USRacing.com. The article and subsequent stories helped save 43 abandoned and neglected Thoroughbreds in Kentucky and also helped create a new animal welfare law in Kentucky known as the “Borell Law.”Margaret’s very first Breeders’ Cup was at Hollywood Park in 1984 and she has attended more than half of the Breeders’ Cups since. She counts Holy Bull and Arrogate as her favorite horses of all time.She lives in Robinson, Texas, with her longtime beau, Tony. She is the executive director of the 501(c)(3) non-profit horse rescue, The Bridge Sanctuary.
