Derby Possibilities

The Kentucky Derby field is shaping up with prep races underway and just 10 weeks to go until the 138th Run for the Roses.


The Kentucky Derby field is shaping up with prep races underway and just 10 weeks to go until the 138th Run for the Roses. Who are the current top contenders for 2012’s first Triple Crown race?
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Who are the current top contenders for 2012's first Triple Crown race?

Although the roster is likely to change, as prep race winners rack up graded stakes earnings, several hot Derby prospects are grabbing horse racing fans' interest.

The Kentucky Derby field is limited to 20 three-year-old horses, with entries selected by graded stakes career earnings. Early Derby prospects are ranked largely by their earnings as two year olds, although 2011 races are now shifting those standings.

At this early stage, last year's Eclipse Award-winning trainer of the year tops the list with at least five possible runners. The 2011 Kentucky Derby champion owner/trainer duo of Team Valor International and H. Graham Motion may have a pair of Run for the Roses entries.


Listed alphabetically, here are 25 likely entries for this year's Kentucky Derby.

1. Algorithms (Bernardini x Ava Knowsthecode by Cryptoclearance) is owned by Starlight Racing and trained by Todd A. Pletcher.

2. Alpha (Bernardini x Munnaya by Nijinsky II) is owned by Godolphin Racing and trained by Kiaran P. McLaughlin.

3. Battle Hardened (Giant's Causeway x Jen's Fashion by Northern Fashion) is owned by Michael B. Tabor and trained by Eddie Kenneally.

4. Brother Francis (Lion Heart x Viapervita by Spectrum) is owned by Norman Cheng and trained by James M. Cassidy.

5. Creative Cause (Giant's Causeway x Dream Of Summer by Siberian Summer) is owned by Heinz Steinmann and trained by Mike Harrington.

6. Currency Swap (High Cotton x Echo Bluff by Pine Bluff) is owned by William H. Lawrence/Klaravich Stables and trained by Teresa M. Pompay.

7. Discreet Dancer (Discreet Cat x West Side Dancer by Gone West) is owned by E. Paul Robsham Stables and trained by Todd A. Pletcher.

8. Dullahan (Even the Score x Mining My Own by Smart Strike) is owned by Donegal Racing and trained by Dale L. Romans.

9. El Padrino (Pulpit x Enchanted Rock by Giant's Causeway) is owned by Let's Go Stable and trained by Todd A. Pletcher.

10. Excaper (Exchange Rate x Ada Ruckus by Bold Ruckus) is owned by Nancy and Richard Kaster and trained by Ian Black.

11. Gemologist (Tiznow x Crystal Shard by Mr. Prospector) is owned by WinStar Farm and trained by Todd A. Pletcher.

12. Hansen (Tapit x Stormy Sunday by Sir Cat) is owned by Kendall E. Hansen/Sky Chai Stable and trained by Michael J. Maker.

13. I'll Have Another (Flower Alley x Arch's Gal Edith by Arch) is owned by J. Paul Reddam and trained by Doug O'Neill.

14. Liaison (Indian Charlie x Galloping Gal by Victory Gallop) is owned by Arnold Zetcher and trained by Bob Baffert.

15. Longview Drive (Pulpit x Wild Vision by Wild Again) is owned by Steve Beneto and trained by Jerry Hollendorfer.

16. Lucky Chappy (High Chaparral x Germane by Distant Relative) is owned by Team Valor International and trained by H. Graham Motion.

17. On Fire Baby (Smoke Glacken x Ornate by Gilded Time) is owned by Anita Cayley and trained by Gary Hartlage.

18. Out of Bounds (Discreet Cat x Unbridled Elaine by Unbridled's Song) is owned by Darley Stable and trained by Eoin G. Harty.

19. Rousing Sermon (Lucky Pulpit x Rousing Again by Awesome Again) is owned by Mr. and Mrs. Larry D. Williams and trained by Jerry Hollendorfer.

20. Sabercat (Bluegrass Cat x Miner's Blessing by Forty Niner) is owned by Winchell Thoroughbreds and trained by Steve Asmussen.

21. Shared Property (Scat Daddy x Yoursmineours by Belong to Me) is owned by Jerry Namy and trained by Thomas M. Amoss.

22. State of Play (War Front x Valeta by Procida) is owned by Team Valor International and trained by H. Graham Motion.

23. Take Charge Indy (A. P. Indy x Take Charge Lady by Dehere) is owned by Church and Maribeth Sandford and trained by Patrick B. Byrne.

24. Thunder Moccasin (A. P. Warrior x One Stormy Mama by Storm Cat) is owned by Starlight Racing and trained by Todd A. Pletcher.

25. Union Rags (Dixie Union x Tempo by Gone West) is owned by Phyllis M. Wyeth/Chadds Ford Stable and trained by Michael R. Matz.