135th Kentucky Derby Preview

Warm weather, smells of spring, The Final Four, barbecues, and corn hole bring with them one of the most exciting times of year, Keeneland opening weekend. Keeneland, or as I passionately refer to it as the Mecca, is just around the corner and will be kicking off its annual spring meet this Friday. It's a time to break out your Sunday best and make your way out to the track to meet with friends and family to enjoy your beverage of choice, as well as, see some of the greatest racing in the country. It's one of the most enjoyable times of the year. The start of Keeneland's spring meet is considered by many to be the start of the countdown to the "most exciting two minutes in sports, the Kentucky Derby. The Derby is set to take place May 2nd at Churchill Downs in Louisville and is the first leg of the Triple Crown which also includes the Preakness and followed by the Belmont Stakes.

The Kentucky Derby is a grade 1 stakes race for three year old thoroughbreds and carries with it a 2 million dollar purse. 20 slots are available in which many hope to obtain through winning other stakes races and collecting enough earning to be entered into the select field. It is thought of by many in the industry to be the crown jewel of horse racing and has catapulted many jockeys and thoroughbreds in to fame and fortune.

As of today there have been 12 horses who have locked up a slot in the 135th running of the Kentucky Derby. So far the Field includes:

1. Old Fashioned

2. Vineyard Haven

3. Beethoven

4. Square Eddie

5. Pioneer of the Nile

6. Freisan Fire

7. Desert Party

8. The Pamplemousse

9. Quality Road

10. I Want Revenge

11. Win Willy

12. Mafaaz (GB)


8 more spots are up for grabs and it will be interesting to see who will be the lucky ones to grab them. Promising horses such as Dunkirk who were thought by many to be a shoe in for the Derby was bested by Quality Road in the Florida Derby this past weekend and will have to have good fortune on its side to get into the field of 20 on that first Saturday in May. As the Derby nears those slots will be filled and I will keep you posted on any news or changes that are to come in the days leading up to one of Kentucky's proud traditions.