On Saturday, 20 horses will head to the gates at Churchill Downs, but only one will emerge victorious as the winner of the 2021 Kentucky Derby , which will kick off this year's Triple Crown schedule.
The Associated Press
LOUISVILLE, Ky. With the rail still open and Kentucky Derby post positions dwindling, Brad Cox grew anxious about the most notable of his two horses drawing the least desired spot.
The home-grown trainer soon breathed easier. Essential Quality got something more palatable, though the hardest part awaits with the target firmly on his back.
Essential Quality is the 2-1 morning line favorite and will start from the No. 14 post for Saturday’s 147th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.
“It got a little nerve-wracking with both horses still to go and the rail still being out there,” Cox said Tuesday. “I think it’ll be a good spot. He’s got good tactical speed that he’ll be able to get into a good position from there.”
Derby Notes: Rock Your World Makes Favorable Impression, Final Contenders Arrive On Backstretch Sponsored by:
Rock Your World on track at Churchill Downs prior to the Kentucky Derby
Earlier Tuesday morning, the cast for Derby 147 became fully assembled with the 6 o clock arrival from Parx of Brooklyn Strong, and a later arrival from Keeneland by Hidden Stash and Like the King, both of whom galloped early Tuesday morning at the Lexington, Ky. track.
BOURBONIC, DYNAMIC ONE, KNOWN AGENDA, SAINTHOOD – The Kentucky Derby quartet that calls the barn of trainer Todd Pletcher their headquarters moved another step closer to the 147th edition of America s Greatest Race Tuesday morning with solid gallops around the Churchill Downs oval.
Charlie Riedel/Associated Press
The most exciting two minutes in sports is nearly upon us, and with Tuesday s post position draw, we have an even better idea of how the Kentucky Derby could shake out on Saturday.
But that is, of course, half the fun of the Derby; we know which horses are the favorites, which run well on dirt, which jockeys are bound for the Hall of Fame. But come the running, we can always be surprised.
Brad Cox-trained Essential Quality, who is the favorite in this year s field at 2-1 odds, drew the No. 14 post. The other horses rounding out the top three, Hot Rod Charlie (8-1) and Rock Your World (5-1), drew posts No. 9 and No. 15, respectively.
Derby Notes: Midnight Bourbon, Brooklyn Strong Post Monday Workouts Sponsored by:
Midnight Bourbon works at Churchill Downs on Monday, April 26
Winchell Thoroughbreds Midnight Bourbon worked five furlongs in 1:02.40 over a fast track at Churchill Downs while earlier at Parx, Mark Schwartz s Brooklyn Strong worked five furlongs in 1:00.92 to punch his ticket to Louisville for Kentucky Derby 147 for trainer Danny Velazquez.
BOURBONIC, DYNAMIC ONE, KNOWN AGENDA, SAINTHOOD – Trainer Todd Pletcher s Derby four-bagger was swinging for the fences Monday morning at Churchill Downs as they continued their preparation for this coming Saturday s big game known as Kentucky Derby 147.
Each of the well-bred youngsters galloped approximately a mile and a quarter on a sunny Kentucky morning and they all earned a thumbs up from Pletcher after they reported back to his Barn 42 on the track s backside.