Friday, May 6, 2005 | 10:28 a.m.
Here is the field, in post position order, with morning line odds, jockey and trainer, for the first jewel of this year's Triple Crown:
1. Sort It Out
Opening odds.....50-1
Jockey: Brice Blanc
Trainer: Bob Baffert
The Whirlaway Stakes winner was runner-up in the recent Lexington Stakes and gives three-time Derby-winning trainer Baffert an outside chance. Blanc makes his second Derby appearance.
2. Andromeda's Hero
Opening odds.....50-1
Jockey: Rafael Bejarano
Trainer: Nick Zito
Zito's longest shot of his five was third in the Arkansas Derby and winner of the Sam F. Davis at Tampa Bay Downs. Bejarano, who was aboard for his lone victory this year, knocked off Churchill Downs legend Pat Day to win the jockey standings at the Derby track. By 2000 Derby winner Fusaichi Pegasus, he is a "live" long shot.
3. Sun King
Opening odds.....15-1
Jockey: Edgar Prado
Trainer: Nick Zito
Zito's No. 2 has a pair of wins this year including the Tampa Bay Derby. Prado, who knocked off Smarty Jones in the Belmont Stakes on the Zito-trained Birdstone last year, makes his sixth Derby start. His sire, Charismatic, won the 1999 Kentucky Derby.
4. Noble Causeway
Opening odds.....12-1
Jockey: Gary Stevens
Trainer: Nick Zito
Zito again ... sounds like a broken record? This improving son of Giant's Causeway was runner-up to stablemate High Fly in the Florida Derby. Stevens, who rode Don't Get Mad to win the Derby Trial, stays here and goes for his fourth Derby trophy.
5. Coin Silver
Opening odds.....20-1
Jockey: Patrick Valenzuela
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
First of three Pletcher trainees won the recent Lexington Stakes. The resurgent Valenzuela won the 1989 Derby on Sunday Silence. This son of Anees will try to duplicate the Lexington-Derby double of Charismatic in 1999. Will like an "off" track.
6. High Limit
Opening odds.....12-1
Jockey: Ramon Dominguez
Trainer: Bobby Frankel
Hall Of Famer Frankel starts Louisiana Derby winner here off a runner-up effort -- his first career loss -- in the Blue Grass Stakes. The talented Dominguez is the Mid-Atlantic circuit kingpin. Expect this son of Maria's Mon to attend the pace scenario.
7. Flower Alley
Opening odds.....20-1 Jockey: Jorge Chavez Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Won the Lane's End Stakes in the Turfway Park mud, followed by a runner-up effort in the Arkansas Derby. In an unorthodox move, trainer Pletcher will add blinkers for the first time in the Derby. Chavez won the 2001 Derby on Monarchos. Moves up if the track comes up muddy.
8. Greater Good
Opening odds.....20-1
Jockey: John McKee
Trainer: Bob Holthus
Longtime circuit trainer had limited chances at the roses. This guy has won five of his past seven starts with a trio of victories into the Rebel Stakes snapped by a dull performance in the Arkansas Derby. Talented young rider knows Churchill Downs track well. Late threat here.
9. Greeley's Galaxy
Opening odds.....15-1
Jockey: Kent Desormeaux
Trainer: Warren Stute
Busted onto the scene with a muddy maiden win at Santa Anita in late February. Followed up with two more victories including the Illinois Derby. Desormeaux is a two-time Derby winner. At the moment, Hughes has made the biggest bet on this guy.
10. Giacomo
Opening odds.....50-1
Jockey: Mike Smith
Trainer: John Shirreffs
The close-but-no-cigar horse. Runner-up in the San Felipe Stakes and 4th in the Santa Anita Derby, this guy is eligible for non-winners-of-two-other-than. But, then so was 1987 Derby winner Alysheba. Smith's first Derby ride was in 1984 and still looking for his first Derby victory.
11. High Fly
Opening odds.....8-1
Jockey: Jerry Bailey
Trainer: Nick Zito
Winner of the Fountain of Youth and Florida Derby has won three of four races this year and has a lifetime record of five wins from six starts. Trainer Zito got this one right before his Fountain of Youth win and immediately employed Bailey to ride. Another pace factor. Bailey's last stand?
12. Afleet Alex
Opening odds.....9-2
Jockey: Jeremy Rose
Trainer: Tim Ritchey
This guy won the Moon Valley Stakes, finished last with a lung infection in the Rebel Stakes then won the Arkansas Derby by the largest winning margin in the history of that race. Brings the most graded earnings to the field with a lifetime record of six wins from nine starts. Jockey Rose was bounced then re-hired, both he and trainer Ritchey make Derby debuts. Hard-knocking contender with an angel in his corner.
13. Spanish Chestnut
Opening odds.....50-1
Jockey: Joe Bravo
Trainer: Patrick Biancone
One of two horses owned by Derrick Smith and Michael Tabor. The San Rafael Stakes winner has been relegated to "rabbit" status to insure lively pace for more accomplished stablemate. Bravo may not see it that way. Going, going, gone?
14. Wilko
Opening odds.....20-1
Jockey: Corey Nakatani
Trainer: Craig Dollace
World-traveled runner bred in Kentucky, started racing career in England and returned to win the Breeders' Cup Juvenile in Texas in October. Finished third in both the Hollywood Futurity and recent Santa Anita Derby after that. Son of 1998 Breeders' Cup Classic winner Awesome Again tries to break Breeders' Cup Juvenile-Kentucky Derby jinx. No horse has ever won both races. Young Dollace's first Derby entrant while Nakatani still looks for first Derby trophy. A factor.
15. Bandini
Opening odds.....6-1
Jockey: John Velazquez
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
The "more accomplished" stablemate of Spanish Chestnut. This temperamental son of 2000 Derby winner Fusaichi Pegasus put it all together to win recent Blue Grass Stakes. Both Eclipse Award-winning rider and trainer looking for first Derby wins. Talented runner that may be peaking at the right time. Like father like son?
16. Bellamy Road
Opening odds.....5-2
Jockey: Javier Castellano
Trainer: Nick Zito
Kentucky Derby favorite has won both starts this year by a combined 33-lengths. Winner of four of five lifetime starts comes into the Derby off a record-smashing 17 1/ 2-length victory in the Wood Memorial. Owned by Kinsman Farm of New York Yankees president George Steinbrenner, the son of Concerto is either a freak or ready to flop. Jockey's debut Derby mount. In the past decade, three horses have won the Derby from the auxiliary starting gate. Fate awaits?
17. Don't Get Mad
Opening odds.....30-1
Jockey: Tyler Baze
Trainer: Ron Ellis
Won the Derby Trial just one week before the Derby coming from last-to-first to make up more than 10 lengths. Son of Stephen Got Even is a perfect 3-for-3 over this Churchill Downs track. Baze and Ellis are looking for first Derby win as well as owner Hughes. If the one week turnaround doesn't take its toll, this is one confirmed dangerous stretch-runner. Beware.
18. Closing Argument
Opening odds.....30-1
Jockey: Cornelio Velasquez
Trainer: Kiaran McLaughlin
Holy Bull winner finished third in Blue Grass Stakes. Makes second start of the year here. Jockey-trainer searching for first Derby win.
19. Going Wild
Opening odds.....50-1
Jockey: Jose Valdivia Jr.
Trainer: D. Wayne Lukas
Four-time Derby-winning trainer brings long shot to hallowed ground looking for No. 5. Won un-graded Sham Stakes and is the surviving entrant for trainer and owners Bob and Beverly Lewis. Their Consolidator was injured training for this race earlier this week. The Lewis' chance for Derby win No. 3. Jockey looking for his first.
20. Buzzard's Bay
Opening odds.....20-1
Jockey: Mark Guidry
Trainer: Jeff Mullins
Won cavalry charge in Santa Anita Derby and dogfight in Golden Gate Derby. Uphill battle from outside post draw. Trainer has been embattled in drug controversy back in California and would love to win Derby just for the positive publicity. Solid rider also looks for first Derby win.
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