The Kentucky Derby is a 36-race series with a points-based system that awards points to each race’s top four finishers. It includes a slew of stakes races for two and three-year-old Thoroughbreds, a type of horse breed commonly known for its use in horse racing.
The 147th running of the $3 million secured Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (Grade I) will take place this May 1, 2021. For seven consecutive years, a tiered points-based system in select races will assess who will compete in America’s biggest race. With Luis Saez’s Essential Quality as the current leading horse, place your bet on these top 10 horses to compete in the upcoming Kentucky Derby 2021.
Essential Quality
This gray colt horse is one of the leading horses in the races. Godolphin owns him with Brad H. Cox as his trainer. After winning the prestigious Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Keeneland in 2020, this highly skilled three-year-old horse has received the 2021 Southwest Stakes.
Even though this horse is one of the top contenders expected to win in the upcoming event, it is not certain. Thus, TVG tips can help you, as they have tips and info on the participating horses, including Essential Quality. Make sure to check them out.
Hot Rod Charlie
With a total point of 110, Hot Rod Charlie currently ranks number two. This dark bay colt horse is trained by Leandro Mora and presently ridden by a highly skilled jockey, Joel Rosario. Joel Rosario is from the Dominican Republic who won the country’s wealthiest horse race on March 30, 2013, at Meydan.
This 3-year-old Oxbow colt is a half-brother to 2019 titleholder male sprinter Mitole and is conditioned by Doug O’Neill. Hot Rod Charlie made a name after his victory in the March 20 Louisiana Derby (G2).
Like The King
Currently ranks number three this 2021 with a total point of 104. You should also place your bet on this chestnut colt horse for this upcoming Kentucky Derby. Like The King is trained by
Wesley A. Ward, owned by M Racing Group, LLC, and currently ridden by his veteran jockey, Drayden Van Dyke.
Drayden Van Dyke is a Thoroughbred racing jockey who won the Eclipse Award in 2014. He initially won his first race on November 21, 2013, at Hollywood Park Racetrack. In 2018, he won his first riding title for being the top Del Mar Racetrack’s jockey.
Known Agenda
Known Agenda, trained by Pletcher and ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr., laid off the initial pace and took the lead off the final turn for a two-and-a-quarter-length success in the Florida Derby. This chestnut colt was born in 2018 and is owned by St. Elias Stable.
Rebel’s Romance
Rebel’s Romance is one of the most anticipated Godolphin contenders for this upcoming Kentucky Derby. This 3-year-old Gelding is trained by Charlie Appleby and began to lead the rank with his jockey, William Buick.
Rock Your World
After two victories, this dark bay horse with his jockey, Umberto Rispoli, made his main track debut by winning the G1 $750,000 in Santa Anita Derby. Rock Your World is trained by John W. Sadler and owned by Hronis Racing LLC and Talla Racing LLC.
Bourbonic
Bourbonic, with his jockey, Kendrick Carmouche, won the 2021 Wood Memorial at Aqueduct and made a significant stakes debut in Wood Memorial Stakes Presented by Resorts World Casino. Born in 2018, this brown colt racing horse is trained by Todd A. Pletcher and owned by Calumet Farm.
Greatest Honour
Greatest Honour is a Thoroughbred bay colt owned by Courtlandt Farms (Donald and Donna Adam). On September 5, this bay colt racing horse finished third in a race held at Saratoga. This year, with his jockey, Jose L. Ortiz, Greatest Honour, will be competing for the upcoming Kentucky Derby with other known horses.
Medina Spirit
Medina Spirit, trained by Bob Baffert, is one of the top favorites for this upcoming Kentucky Derby. This brown colt racing horse initially established a name when he took the starting gate in the 2021 Santa Anita Derby with his jockey, John R. Velazquez.
John R. Velazquez is a Thoroughbred horse jockey from Puerto Rico. He was the United States Champion Jockey and earned the Eclipse Award for Outstanding Jockey in 2004 and 2005. In 2012, Velasquez was inducted into the Horse Racing Hall of Fame and became the highest-earning jockey.
Midnight Bourbon
This 2021 Kentucky Derby, Midnight Bourbon, will attempt to follow the lead of known horses like Orb, the titleholder for the 2013 Kentucky Derby. Midnight Bourbon is a bay colt horse born in 2018 owned by Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC.
He is presently trained by Steven M. Asmussen and led this year’s ranking with Joseph Talamo as his jockey. Born on January 12, 1990, Joseph Talamo is widely known as a Champion jockey in American Thoroughbred.
Final Thoughts
The fastest horses will line up for this upcoming Kentucky Derby. Godolphin’s Essential Quality currently ranks number one. However, don’t ever count out the other horses! Who knows, any horse can win this race. This unpredictability is what makes gambling and spectating on the 2021 Kentucky Derby a ton of fun.
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