Kentucky Derby 2022: Odds, picks, free PPs, preview, more

The biggest day on the racing calendar is here.

Zandon (3-1) is the morning-line favorite for the 2022 Kentucky Derby. Post time from Churchill Downs is 6:57 p.m., with NBC showing the Grade 1, $3 million event for 3-year-olds.

The Kentucky Derby field consists of 20 runners who will each go 1 1/4 miles Saturday for the first time in their careers. Entrants were determined by Churchill’s points system which encompassed a series of prep races that started in September and ended in April.

Zandon racked up 114 points on the road to the Derby, 100 of which came when he won the Blue Grass Stakes (G1) on April 9 at Keeneland. The Upstart colt ran last of 11 at one point that day before charging to the front under jockey Flavien Prat and drawing clear by 2 1/2 lengths.

A projected fast pace Saturday means Zandon could have a favorable setup for another strong closing move, although he will have to contend with more traffic in a 20-horse field. Owned by Jeff Drown, he aims to deliver trainer Chad Brown his first Kentucky Derby victory and Prat his second.

Epicenter (7-2) represents the barn of Steve Asmussen who, like Brown, is an Eclipse Award-winning trainer seeking a Derby breakthrough. The colt has won three of four stakes starts, including the Louisiana Derby (G2) on March 26 at Fair Grounds.

Taiba (12-1) and Messier (8-1) finished 1-2 on April 9 in the Santa Anita Derby (G1) for trainer Tim Yakteen. Both were previously trained by Bob Baffert, who was barred by Churchill Downs from competing in both the 2022 and ’23 Kentucky Derbies as part of the fallout from Medina Spirit’s failed drug test following last year’s event. 

Saffie Joseph Jr. trains White Abarrio (10-1), who enters the Kentucky Derby after winning the Florida Derby (G1) on April 2 at Gulfstream Park. Mo Donegal (10-1), winner of Aqueduct’s Wood Memorial (G2) on April 9, leads a trio of starters for trainer Todd Pletcher. Trainer Brad Cox also has three Kentucky Derby entrants, including Cyberknife (20-1), who took Oaklawn Park’s Arkansas Derby (G1) on April 2.

The Kentucky Derby is the first of the three American Classics that comprise the Triple Crown series. Pimlico hosts the Preakness Stakes on May 21 before the Belmont Stakes runs June 11 at Belmont Park.

Here is a look at the field for the 2022 Kentucky Derby (trainer and jockey in parentheses) with morning-line odds. Follow this page throughout the day for updated odds.

1. Mo Donegal (Todd Pletcher, Irad Ortiz Jr.), 10-1

2. Happy Jack (Doug O’Neill, Rafael Bejarano), 30-1

3. Epicenter (Steve Asmussen, Joel Rosario), 7-2

4. Summer Is Tomorrow (Bhupat Seemar, Mickael Barzalona), 30-1

5. Smile Happy (Kenny McPeek, Corey Lanerie), 20-1

6. Messier (Tim Yakteen, John Velazquez), 8-1

7. Crown Pride (Koichi Shintani, Christophe Lemaire), 20-1

8. Charge It (Todd Pletcher, Luis Saez), 20-1

9. Tiz the Bomb (Kenny McPeek, Brian Hernandez Jr.), 30-1

10. Zandon (Chad Brown, Flavien Prat), 3-1

11. Pioneer of Medina (Todd Pletcher, Joe Bravo), 30-1

12. Taiba (Tim Yakteen, Mike Smith), 12-1

13. Simplification (Antonio Sano, Jose Ortiz), 20-1

14. Barber Road (John Ortiz, Reylu Gutierrez), 30-1

15. White Abarrio (Saffie Joseph Jr., Tyler Gaffalione), 10-1

16. Cyberknife (Brad Cox, Florent Geroux), 20-1

17. Classic Causeway (Brian Lynch, Julien Leparoux), 30-1

18. Tawny Port (Brad Cox, Ricardo Santana Jr.), 30-1

19. Zozos (Brad Cox, Manny Franco), 20-1

21. Rich Strike (Eric Reed, Sonny Leon), 30-1

(No. 20 Ethereal Road and No. 22 Rattle N Roll are scratched.)

TimeformUS’ pace projections show Classic Causeway going out to the lead under jockey Julien Leparoux and setting a fast pace, followed by Epicenter and Messier. Morning-line favorite Zandon is projected to attempt a charge from the back.

Note that TimeformUS lacks pace data on overseas runners Crown Pride and Summer Is Tomorrow. Both are expected to be near the front early on.

Visit Horse Racing Nation’s free past performances page for more information on the 2022 Kentucky Derby.

Kentucky Derby links

See the Horse Racing Nation staff’s expert picks for the Kentucky Derby.

Handicapper Reinier Macatangay says post position makes a difference for him as he makes Messier his top Kentucky Derby pick over Epicenter and Zandon.

Padraic Manocchio picks the Kentucky Derby full order of finish, from Epicenter in first to Summer Is Tomorrow in 20th.

Louisiana Derby (G2) victor Epicenter’s trainer Steve Asmussen reflects on his record-setting career, which still lacks a Kentucky Derby triumph.

Speaking of the Louisiana Derby, Ron Flatter writes that the prep with its 1 3/16-mile distance – longest of the domestic Derby trail races – is having a greater influence than in past decades.

In his return to Churchill Downs, trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. wants no “excuses” for White Abarrio, winner of the Florida Derby (G1).

Santa Anita Derby (G1) hero Taiba will make only the third start of his career in the Kentucky Derby, and bloodstock agent Gary Young explains why inexperience means his break will be key.

It did not take Messier and Taiba conditioner Tim Yakteen long to face questions about suspended trainer Bob Baffert.

Crown Pride jockey Christophe Lemaire has won big international races like the Melbourne Cup (G1), Dubai Sheema Classic (G1) and Two Thousand Guineas (G1) and now attempts to add the Kentucky Derby to his resume.

Summer Is Tomorrow, UAE Derby (G2) runner-up to Crown Pride, figures to be up on the early pace Saturday, but questions linger as to how long he will stay toward the front.

See in-depth records on all 20 jockeys riding Saturday in the Kentucky Derby, including previous winners Florent Geroux, Flavien Prat, Joel Rosario, Mike Smith and John Velazquez.

Flatter presents the Final Fractions Theory report ahead of the Kentucky Derby.

Ed DeRosa explains why the Kentucky Derby post draw did not affect many of the 20 runners’ chances.

Matt Shifman brings odds and analysis on all 20 runners in the Kentucky Derby.

On the Ron Flatter Racing Pod, DeRosa, Sara Elbadwi and Mark Midland of Horse Racing Nation do a deep analytical dive on each of the 20 horses in Saturday’s race. Another episode features Asmussen, Prat and Rosario.

This week on HorseCenter, hosts Shifman and Brian Zipse offer their top Kentucky Derby picks and wagers.

An uncertain Kentucky Derby favorite had renowned businessman and prolific bettor Jim McIngvale mulling a $3 million wager.

Other Saturday stakes

Here is a look at other stakes races of note taking place Saturday at Churchill Downs and elsewhere across the U.S. All post times are EDT.

12:36 p.m. – $500,000 Churchill Distaff Turf Mile Stakes (G2), 4-and-up fillies and mares, one mile (turf), Churchill Downs, USA Network

Speak of the Devil (2-1) makes her North American debut on the Kentucky Derby undercard for trainer Chad Brown. Jockey Flavien Prat will be up on the 5-year-old Wootton Bassett mare who won the Prix Tantieme at Saint Cloud in her last start Nov. 16. Roger Attfield trains Lady Speightspeare (5-2), a Grade 1 winner who was third April 16 at Keeneland in the Jenny Wiley Stakes (G1). In Italian (3-1) took Gulfstream Park’s Honey Fox Stakes (G3) on March 5 for Brown.

1:14 p.m. – $160,000 Knicks Go Overnight Stakes, 4-and-up, one mile, Churchill Downs, USA Network

Dream Shake (5-2) returned a winner off the bench April 10 at Keeneland in an allowance event and now battles stakes foes here. Prat will get a leg up from trainer Peter Eurton on the 4-year-old Twirling Candy colt, runner-up on last year’s Derby card in the Pat Day Mile (G2). Brad Cox trains Shared Sense (3-1), a Grade 3 victor also stepping up off an allowance win, with his coming March 24 at Fair Grounds. Necker Island (6-1) was fourth April 2 in the Oaklawn Mile Stakes (G3) for trainer Chris Hartman.

1:33 p.m. – $200,000 Sheepshead Bay Stakes (G2), 4-and-up fillies and mares, 1 3/8 miles (turf), Belmont Park, FS2

Virginia Joy (3-5) looks for back-to-back graded-stakes wins after taking The Very One Stakes (G3) on March 5 at Gulfstream Park for Brown. Jockey Trevor McCarthy gets the call on the 5-year-old Soldier Hollow mare. Arnaud Delacour trains Luck Money (5-2), who was fourth last out at Aqueduct in the Long Island Stakes (G3) on Nov. 27. Sister Otoole (9-2) ran fourth April 2 at Gulfstream in the Orchid Stakes (G3) for trainer Graham Motion.

1:56 p.m. – $500,000 Pat Day Mile Stakes (G2), 3-year-olds, one mile, Churchill Downs, USA Network

Jack Christopher (2-1) makes only the third start of his career, and his first since winning Belmont Park’s Champagne Stakes (G1) on Oct. 2 for Brown. Jockey Jose Ortiz will pilot the Munnings colt. Todd Pletcher trains My Prankster (4-1), a Grade 3 victor who was fourth April 8 at Keeneland in the Lafayette Stakes. Major General (9-2), also a Grade 3 winner, was runner-up April 16 at Keeneland for Pletcher in the Lexington Stakes (G3).

2:48 p.m. – $750,000 Derby City Distaff Stakes (G1), 4-and-up fillies and mares, seven furlongs, Churchill Downs, NBC

Just One Time (3-1) is 6-for-7 in her career and has reeled off four straight wins, including the Madison Stakes (G1) on April 9 at Keeneland. Cox and Prat team up with the 4-year-old Not This Time filly. Bill Mott trains Obligatory (7-2), a Grade 2 heroine who won Gulfstream’s Hurricane Bertie Stakes (G3) on March 12. Edgeway (4-1) enters off a Los Flores Stakes (G3) triumph March 13 at Santa Anita for trainer John Sadler.

3:40 p.m. – $500,000 American Turf Stakes (G2), 3-year-olds, 1 1/16 miles (turf), Churchill Downs, NBC

Sy Dog (7-2) sports a 3-for-3 record, with his last effort a Transylvania Stakes (G3) win April 8 at Keeneland. Trainer Graham Motion has tabbed jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. to ride the Slumber colt. Brown trains Portfolio Company (9-2), who finished eighth Nov. 5 at Del Mar in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf. Main Event (5-1) steps into graded flight off a Cutler Bay Stakes victory April 2 at Gulfstream for trainer George Weaver.

4:19 p.m. – $200,000 Fort Marcy Stakes (G2), 4-and-up, 1 1/8 miles (turf), Belmont Park, FS2

Rockemperor (5-2) owns a Grade 1 win over the Belmont turf and returns for the first time since crossing fifth at Del Mar on Nov. 26 in the Hollywood Turf Cup Stakes (G2). Brown has tabbed jockey Dylan Davis to ride the 6-year-old son of Holy Roman Emperor. Christophe Clement trains City Man (3-1), who climbs the class ladder after winning the Danger’s Hour Stakes on April 9 at Aqueduct. Sacred Life (7-2), a Brown-trained Grade 3 winner, finished fourth March 26 at Fair Grounds in the Muniz Memorial Classic (G2).

4:31 p.m. – $750,000 Churchill Downs Stakes (G1), 4-and-up, seven furlongs, Churchill Downs, NBC

Jackie’s Warrior (5-2), Eclipse Award winner as 2021’s top male sprinter, started his 4-year-old season April 16 at Oaklawn Park by winning the Count Fleet Sprint Handicap (G3). Jockey Joel Rosario will pilot the Maclean’s Music colt for trainer Steve Asmussen. Wayne Catalano trains Aloha West (7-2), who returns for his first start since winning the Breeders’ Cup Sprint on Nov. 6 at Del Mar. Reinvestment Risk (7-2) finished as runner-up April 9 at Aqueduct in the Carter Handicap (G1).

5:27 p.m. – $1 million Turf Classic Stakes (G1), 4-and-up, 1 1/8 miles (turf), Churchill Downs, NBC

Shirl's Speight (3-1) has won three straight races for Attfield, highlighted by the Maker’s Mark Mile Stakes (G1) on April 15 at Keeneland. Jockey Luis Saez will be up on the 5-year-old son of Speightstown. Paulo Lobo trains Ivar (4-1), a Grade 1 victor making his first start since finishing third Nov. 6 at Del Mar in the Breeders’ Cup Mile. Adhamo (9-2), runner-up Feb. 19 in the Fair Grounds Stakes (G3), leads three starters for Brown.

5:37 p.m. – $200,000 Westchester Stakes (G3), 4-and-up, one mile, Belmont Park, FS2

Cody’s Wish (1-1) looks to do one better Saturday after finishing runner-up March 12 at Tampa Bay in the Challenger Stakes (G3). Jockey Junior Alvarado gets the assignment on the 4-year-old Curlin colt for trainer Bill Mott. Brown trains Sound Money (8-5), who bumps up to stakes flight off an April 2 allowance win at Aqueduct. Greatest Honour (9-2), a Grade 2 winner for trainer Shug McGaughey, ran third April 2 at Gulfstream Park in the Ghostzapper Stakes (G3).

5:49 p.m. – $100,000 Senorita Stakes (G3), 3-year-old fillies, one mile (turf), Santa Anita, TVG

Lucky Girl (2-1), a stakes winner for trainer Richard Baltas, aims to make the grade off a fifth-place showing April 9 at Santa Anita in the Providencia Stakes (G3). Jockey Ramon Vazquez rides the Exceed And Excel filly. Baltas also trains Sterling Crest (5-2), who ran second in the Providencia. Island of Love (5-2) was fourth last out in the local China Doll stakes for trainer Phil D’Amato.