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The post positions have been drawn for the 142nd running of the Kentucky Derby, which takes place Saturday at 6:34 PM ET at Churchill Downs. Let’s take a look at the main contenders and their odds to win the Run for the Roses.

 

Horse: Nyquist

Trainer: Doug O’Neill

Jockey: Mario Gutierrez

Nyquist (3/1) has been the favourite for the Derby for quite some time now. He’s a healthy seven-for-seven in his career, winning every time out. That includes four Grade I races along with a pair of Grade 2 starts. He’s beaten the best of the best, and oddsmakers expect him to do so again on Saturday.

 

Horse: Exaggerator

Trainer: Keith Desormeaux

Jockey: Kent Desormeaux

Exaggerator (15/2) is the second favourite to win the Kentucky Derby. He has finished in the money in seven of his last nine races and is coming off a win at the Santa Anita Derby. Interestingly enough, the Santa Anita Derby winner has gone on to win the Kentucky Derby twice in the last four years.

 

Horse: Creator

Trainer: Steve Asmussen

Jockey: Ricardo Santana

Creator (12/1) might be peaking at the right time with wins in two of his last three outings. That includes a win at the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby in April.

 

Horse: Gun Runner

Trainer: Steve Asmussen

Jockey: Florent Geroux

Gun Runner (9/1) has collected four wins in five starts, including the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby and Grade 2 Risen Star Stakes. He’s one of Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen’s two entries into the Derby. As for the jockey, it’s Florent Geroux’s first mount in the Derby.

 

Horse: Mohaymen

Trainer: Kiaran McLaughlin

Jockey: Junior Alvarado

Mohaymen (8/1) is coming off a loss (to Nyquist) at the Florida Derby, but he’s won his other five starts, including four grade 2 wins. He’s also saddling up with jockey Junior Alvarado, who's making his Kentucky Derby debut.

 

Horse: Brody’s Cause

Trainer: Dale Romans

Jockey: Luis Saez

Brody’s Cause (14/1) is a value play as he’s coming off a grade 1 win at the Blue Grass Stakes. Kentucky is his preferred state as each of his three wins have come in the Blue Grass State.

 

Horse: Mor Spirit

Trainer: Bob Baffert

Jockey: Gary Stevens

Mor Spirit (14/1) has either won or placed second in all of his seven starts, which is a good sign. He unluckily drew the No. 17 post position. Maybe he can break the curse and become the first horse to win from the No. 17 starting gate.

 

Horse: Danzing Candy

Trainer: Cliffe Sise Jr.

Jockey: Mike Smith

There are plenty of California-based contenders in the Kentucky Derby and Danzing Candy (20/1) is one of them. He’s coming off a fourth-place result at the Santa Anita Derby, but he won each of his three previous starts, including the San Felipe Stakes – where he beat Mor Spirit and Exaggerator.

 

Here is a look at all the horses and their post positions:

Post

Horse

Jockey

Odds

1

Trojan Nation

Aaron Gryder

66/1

2

Suddenbreakingnews

Luis Quinonez

20/1

3

Creator

Ricardo Santana Jr.

12/1

4

Mo Tom

Corey Lanerie

22/1

5

Gun Runner

Florent Geroux

9/1

6

My Man Sam

Irad Ortiz Jr.

20/1

7

Oscar Nominated

Julien Leparoux

66/1

8

Lani

Yutaka Take

28/1

9

Destin

Javier Castellano

14/1

10

Whitmore

Victor Espinoza

18/1

11

Exaggerator

Kent Desormeaux

15/2

12

Tom's Ready

Brian Hernandez Jr.

40/1

13

Nyquist

Mario Gutierrez

3/1

14

Mohaymen

Junior Alvarado

8/1

15

Outwork

John Velazquez

16/1

16

Shagaf

Joel Rosario

28/1

17

Mor Spirit

Gary Stevens

14/1

18

Majesto

Emisael Jaramillo

33/1

19

Brody's Cause

Luis Saez

14/1

20

Danzing Candy

Mike E. Smith

20/1
 

*Odds as of May 5, 2016