Jennie Rees, the veteran turf writer for The (Louisville) Courier-Journal, breaks down the field for the 139th Kentucky Derby 
Goldencents trains in preparation for the Saturday's Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. He is the third favorite and is partly owned by Louisville basketball coach Rick Pitino. (Photo: Rob Carr, Getty Images) Story Highlights - How the 19-horse Kentucky Derby field shapes up
- Black Onyx was scratched on Friday so the field will remain at 19
- The first post will remain open, and the other posts will remain the same
Note: The horse that drew the No. 1 post, Black Onyx, was scratched on Friday. Fear the Kitten had the 21st spot in the Derby points standings, but he was also scratched, so the field will remain at 19 and the first post will remain open.
VIDEO: Get to know the Kentucky Derby field
PHOTOS: Friday at Churchill Downs
PICKS: Who the experts like in Kentucky Derby
Oxbow
Saddlecloth: No.2. Odds:30-1.
Record, earnings: 9: 2-1-1 ($383,500)
Last start: 5th, Arkansas Derby, April 13
Sire: Awesome Again (Cee's Tizzy)
Dam: Tizamazing
Jockey: Gary Stevens
Trainer: D. Wayne Lukas
Owner: Calumet Farm
Breeder: Colts Neck Stables LLC
Why he can win: Are you kidding? Owner Calumet Farm, trainer Lukas and jockey Stevens possess a combined 15 Derby victories, with Lukas and Stevens teaming for two. Oxbow has a beautiful pedigree for the Derby distance, being by 1998 Breeders' Cup Classic winner Awesome Again and from the female family of Tizamazing.
Why he can't: The last Derby winner who was worse than fourth in its previous start was Iron Liege in 1957. (Oxbow was fifth in the Arkansas Derby.)
Notable: This is the first Derby mount for Stevens, a three-time winner, since 2005.
Revolutionary
Saddlecloth: No. 3. Odds:10-1.
Record, earnings: 6: 3-1-2 ($788,500)
Last start: Won Louisiana Derby, March 30
Sire: War Pass (A.P. Indy)
Dam: Runup the Colors
Jockey: Calvin Borel
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Owner: WinStar Farm LLC
Breeder: W.S. Farish
Why he can win: Borel can follow Rick Pitino from Hall of Fame induction to a coveted title. Revolutionary has shown he can overcome traffic trouble, and with Borel he'll be through holes that don't exist before they become a jackpot. Watch out if the track is sloppy.
Why he can't: He was well-beaten by Orb in a Nov. 24 maiden race and has not faced top competition since and then had close finishes in his two stakes wins.
Notable: The $235,000 2-year-old purchase reunites the team of WinStar Farm, Pletcher and Borel that won the 2010 Derby with Super Saver.
Golden Soul
Saddlecloth: No. 4.Odds: 50-1.
Record, earnings: 5: 1-2-0 ($117,400)
Last start: 4th, Louisiana Derby, March 30
Sire: Perfect Soul (Mr. Prospector)
Dam: Hollywood Gold
Jockey: Robby Albarado
Trainer: Dallas Stewart
Owner-breeder: Charles E. Fipke
Why he can win: This horse is well-regarded and had to come eight-wide when fourth in the Louisiana Derby. If Mine That Bird (50-1 in 2009) can win, he can.
Why he can't: He's not fast enough. Since 1955, only five horses have won the Derby without a prior stakes victory at age 2 or 3.
Notable: Albarado's best finish in 12 Derby starts was a pair of thirds.
Normandy Invasion
Saddlecloth:No. 5.Odds:12-1.
Record, earnings: 5: 1-2-0 ($300,240)
Last start: 2nd, Wood Memorial, April 6
Sire: Tapit (Boston Harbor)
Dam: Boston Lady
Jockey:Javier Castellano
Trainer: Chad Brown
Owner: Fox Hill Farms
Breeders: Betz/Kidder/Gainesway/Graves/D.J. Stable/Cole
Why he can win: He came flying to finish a close second in the Wood Memorial. Distance won't be a problem. The Derby will be his third start off a layoff and should be his best. Castellano stuck with him over Louisiana Derby winner Revolutionary.
Why he can't: At 1-for-5, does he want to win? He has shown a knack for finding trouble in races, obviously a problem in a 20-horse field.
Notable: The $230,000 Keeneland 2-year-old purchase is Brown's first Derby starter.
Mylute
Saddlecloth: No. 6. Odds: 15-1.
Record, earnings: 9: 2-3-2 ( $417,695)
Last start: 2nd, Louisiana Derby, March 30
Sire: Midnight Lute (Valid Expectations)
Dam: Stage Stop
Jockey: Rosie Napravnik
Trainer: Tom Amoss
Owners: GoldMark Farm & Whisper Hills Farm
Breeder: Mike G. Rutherford
Why he can win: He ran a huge race to come extremely wide and lose the Louisiana Derby by a neck. If you love Revolutionary, you better play Mylute at a better price.
Why he can't: He had every chance to get past Revolutionary in the stretch of the Louisiana Derby and couldn't stare him down. Being out of a Valid Expectation mare, he doesn't want to run that far.
Notable:Napravnik last year became the first female rider to win the Kentucky Oaks.
Giant Finish
Saddlecloth: No. 7. Odds: 50-1.
Record, earnings: 5: 2-1-1 ($133,050)
Last start: 3rd, Spiral Stakes, March 23
Sire: Frost Giant (Hickman Creek)
Dam: Apocalyptic
Jockey: Jose Espinoza
Trainer: Tony Dutrow
Owner: Sunrise Stables
Breeder: Andrew Cohen
Why he can win: Except for one race in the slop, he's never run a bad race.
Why he can't: Those races all were against far lesser competition. He's too slow. It's not a good sign when the trainer initially says he won't be at the race.
Notable: This is the first Derby starter for both Dutrow and Espinoza.
Goldencents
Saddlecloth: No. 8. Odds: 5-1.
Record, earnings: 6: 4-1-0 ($1,250,000)
Last start: Won Santa Anita Derby, April 6
Sire: Into Mischief (Into Gold)
Dam: Golden Works
Jockey: Kevin Krigger
Trainer: Doug O'Neill
Owners: W. C. Racing, Dave Kenney and RAP Racing
Breeders:Rosecrest Farm & Karyn Pirrello
Why he can win: Cardinal karma! Louisville basketball coach Rick Pitino, a minority owner, is on one of the hottest runs in sports history. Besides that, Goldencents is a serious racehorse who never runs a bad race.
Why he can't: Though he ran extremely well in the Santa Anita Derby, he might not really want to run that far. Does anyone really think someone could get elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame, win the NCAA tournament and capture the Kentucky Derby?
Notable: Krigger would be the first African-American jockey to win since 1902.
Overanalyze
Saddlecloth: No. 9. Odds: 15-1.
Record, earnings: 7: 4-0-1 ($956,381)
Last start: Won Arkansas Derby, April 13
Sire: Dixie Union (Unaccounted For)
Dam: Unacloud
Jockey: Rafael Bejarano
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Owner-breeder: Repole Stable
Why he can win: He has what over history has been the prototype of a Derby winner: strong 2-year-old form and coming off a good 11/8-mile victory in the Arkansas Derby. He has tactical speed that allows him to adapt to any pace. His third race off a layoff figures to be his best.
Why he can't: Other horses are faster. The Arkansas Derby was dreadfully slow. The Gotham Stakes (he was fifth) has produced one Derby winner. And Overanalyze ain't Secretariat.
Notable: The $380,000 Keeneland yearling is the second Derby starter for Mike Repole, who was 12th in 2011 with Stay Thirsty.
Palace Malice
Saddlecloth: No. 10. Odds: 20-1.
Record, earnings: 6: 1-3-1 ($271,135)
Last start: 2nd, Blue Grass Stakes, April 13
Sire: Curlin (Royal Anthem)
Dam: Palace Rumor
Jockey: Mike Smith
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Owner: Dogwood Stable
Breeder: W.S. Farish
Why he can win: Because it's an awesome name — after the 1949 Three Stooges comedy Malice in the Palace. (The colt is out of Palace Rumor.) In his only off-the-board performance, he had nowhere to run for most of the stretch in the Louisiana Derby, then ran a good race to finish second by a neck in the Blue Grass in his Polytrack debut. He was one of Pletcher's most highly regarded 2-year-olds last summer. He's reminiscent of Giacomo, who won the 2005 Derby at 50-1 under Smith, the new rider for Palace Malice.
Why he can't: At 1-for-6 (and after losing the lead late in the Blue Grass), does he want to win? And that's without facing the stiffest competition.
Notable: Smith has won a record 17 Breeders' Cup races.
Lines of Battle
Saddlecloth: No. 11. Odds: 30-1.
Record, earnings: 6: 3-1-0 ($1,276,214)
Last start: Won UAE Derby March 30
Sire: War Front (Arch)
Dam: Black Speck
Jockey: Ryan Moore
Trainer: Aidan O'Brien
Owners-breeders: Joseph Allen, Mrs J. Magnier, M. Tabor, D. Smith
Why he can win: He won the 13/16-mile UAE Derby, racing farther than any other horse in this field. Distance won't be an issue
Why he can't: He's a grass horse. And while Animal Kingdom used a grass and Polytrack path to win the 2011 Derby in his first dirt start, the UAE Derby has yet to produce a horse to hit the board in the Kentucky Derby.
Notable: Part-owner Michael Tabor won the 1995 Derby and Belmont Stakes with Thunder Gulch.
Itsmyluckyday
Saddlecloth: No. 12. Odds: 15-1.
Record, earnings: 10: 5-2-1 ($625,600)
Last start: 2nd, Florida Derby, March 30
Sire: Lawyer Ron (Doneraile Court)
Dam: Viva La Slew
Jockey :Elvis Trujillo
Trainer: Eddie Plesa Jr.
Owners: Trilogy Stable and Laurie Plesa
Breeders: Liberation Farm and Brandywine Farm
Why he can win: He wasn't fully cranked when second in the Florida Derby and hadn't raced in two months. He is an extremely classy horse with some of the best speed figures in the field. With that name, he has to win.
Why he can't: He doesn't want to run that far. He's a monster in Florida, not so much elsewhere.
Notable: This is the first Derby for Trujillo, a graduate of the Laffit Pincay Jr. Jockey School in Panama.
Falling Sky
Saddlecloth: No. 13. Odds: 50-1.
Record, earnings: 6: 3-0-1 ($249,800)
Last start: 4th Arkansas Derby, April 13
Sire: Lion Heart (Sea Hero)
Dam: Sea Dragoness
Jockey: Luis Saez
Trainer: John Terranova II
Owners: Newtown Anner Stud, James Covello and Joseph Bulger
Breeder:Copper Penny Stables LLC
Why he can win: Three words: Mine That Bird. Anything is possible. Falling Sky might go wire-to-wire as his rivals assume he'll stop. Works suggest he loves Churchill Downs.
Why he can't: He's an honest horse but looks too slow. He's going to have other serious classy speed keeping him company up front.
Notable: Terranova and Saez are in their first Derby.
Verrazano
Saddlecloth: No. 14. Odds: 4-1.
Record, earnings: 4: 4-0-0 ($861,300)
Last start: Won Wood Memorial April 6
Sire: More Than Ready (Giant's Causeway)
Dam: Enchanted Rock
Jockey: John Velazquez
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Owners-breeders: Let's Go Stable/Emory A. Hamilton
Why he can win: The unbeaten Wood Memorial winner is the one horse in the field who could be truly brilliant — the one horse capable of jaw-dropping performances. The $250,000 Keeneland yearling got the perfect prep in the Wood, winning without a lot being taken out of him.
Why he can't: The granddaddy of all reasons: Only Apollo in 1882 has won the Derby without racing as a 2-year-old. His jaw-dropping performances were around one turn. His speed figures have dropped as the distances have increased.
Notable: The last time Pletcher saddled a record-tying five Derby horses, his best finish was sixth.
Charming Kitten
Saddlecloth: No. 15. Odds: 20-1.
Record, earnings: 7: 2-2-2 ($257,000)
Last start: 3rd, Blue Grass, April 13
Sire: Kitten's Joy (Wild Again)
Dam: Iteration
Jockey: Edgar Prado
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Owner-breeder: Ken and Sarah Ramsey
Why he can win: By Kitten's Joy and out of a Wild Again mare, the rallying Blue Grass third-place finisher absolutely will get the distance. No one was hotter at Keeneland than the Ramseys, who have the franchise on offspring of their stallion Kitten's Joy.
Why he can't: Dirt is not the surface of choice for Kitten's Joy's progeny. His best speed figures are below much of the field.
Notable: Prado won the 2006 Derby with Barbaro.
Orb
Saddlecloth: No. 16. Odds: 7-2.
Record, earnings: 7: 4-0-1
Last start: Won Florida Derby (March 30)
Sire: Malibu Moon (Unbridled)
Dam: Lady Liberty
Jockey: Joel Rosario
Trainer: Shug McGaughey
Owners-breeders: Stuart Janney III LLC & Phipps Stable
Why he can win: The Derby's final furlong is the longest eighth of a mile in racing, where genetics kick in. Florida Derby winner Orb, whose grandparents are a Belmont Stakes winner (A.P. Indy) and Derby winner (Unbridled), reflects 70years of stamina-laden breeding by the Janney family. He went 3-for-3 at Gulfstream Park in spite of a speed-favoring surface and should relish the venue change to Churchill.
Why he can't: The possibility that other horses are faster and maybe one of those can handle the distance. The Florida Derby was a fairly slow race in which he ran down horses that don't want to run that far.
Notable: Rosario leads the nation in wins and purse earnings (counting Dubai World Cup).
Will Take Charge
Saddlecloth: No. 17. Odds: 20-1.
Record, earnings: 7: 3-1-0 ($545,371)
Last start: Won Rebel Stakes, March 16
Sire: Unbridled's Song (Dehere)
Dam: Take Charge Lady
Jockey: Jon Court
Trainer: D. Wayne Lukas
Owner: Willis D. Horton
Breeder: Eaton
Why he can win: Lukas has won the Derby four times. Will Take Charge was bred and purchased ($425,000) to be this kind of horse. His Rebel victory showed he's game.
Why he can't: Other horses are consistently faster. The last horse to win without first racing farther than 11/16 miles was Middleground in 1950. Dating to 1929, no horse has won after a 49-day layoff, and two have won 42 days after their final prep.
Notable: Lukas, 77, would surpass Charlie Whittingham (76 in 1989) as the oldest trainer to win the Derby.
Frac Daddy
Saddlecloth: No. 18. Odds: 50-1.
Record, earnings: 6: 1-3-0 ($288,116)
Last start 2nd, Arkansas Derby, April 13
Sire: Scat Daddy (Skip Away)
Dam: Skipper's Mate
Jockey: Victor Lebron
Trainer: Kenny McPeek
Owner: Magic City Thoroughbred Partners
Breeder: Nancy M. Leonard Living Trust
Why he can win: He ran his best race of the year when finishing second in the Arkansas Derby and returns to the site of his best performances overall, having won a maiden race by 9¾ lengths and finished second by a neck in the Kentucky Jockey Club last fall. He finally has put a foot problem and throat ulcers behind him.
Why he can't: He's too slow. He lost the slowly run Arkansas Derby by 4¼ lengths.
Notable: Krigger and Lebron will be the first jockeys from St. Croix, Virgin Islands, to ride in the Derby.
Java's War
Saddlecloth: No. 19. Odds: 15-1.
Record, earnings: 7: 3-1-1 ($672,091)
Last start: Won Blue Grass Stakes, April 13 Sire: War Pass (Java)
Dam: Rainbow Quest
Jockey: Julien Leparoux
Trainer: Kenny McPeek
Owner-breeder: Charles E. Fipke
Why he can win: No horse finished faster than he did in winning the Blue Grass. He'll love the extra eighth of a mile.
Why he can't: He's a grass horse — and ran in the Blue Grass like a grass horse with that fast finish. He can't afford to break slowly and spot the field lengths again. Unless you're ridden by Calvin Borel, you don't come from last to win the Derby.
Notable: Leparoux would be the first French-born rider to win the Derby since Jean Cruguet rode 1977 Triple Crown winner Seattle Slew.
Vyjack
Saddlecloth: No. 20. Odds: 15-1.
Record, earnings: 5: 4-0-1 ($542,200)
Last start: 3rd, Wood Memorial, April 6
Sire: Into Mischief (Stravinsky)
Dam: Life Happened
Jockey: Garrett Gomez
Trainer: Rudy Rodriguez
Owner: Pick Six Racing (David Wilkenfeld)
Breeder: Machmer Hall
Why he can win: He never runs a bad race and showed versatility in coming from well back to win the Gotham. He had an excuse (mucous in the lungs) when third in the Wood, losing by a length behind Verrazano and Normandy Invasion and still coming home fast. Joel Rosario took off to ride Orb, and Derby history is full of jockeys making the wrong decision.
Why he can't: Even though he came home in good time, the Wood pace was crawling and suggests he has distance limitations. Smarty Jones (2004) is the only horse to wear the roses after running over Aqueduct's inner track.
Notable: Vyjack is the only gelding in field.
Source : http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/horses/2013/05/03/kentucky-derby-field-19-horses/2132515/
Goldencents trains in preparation for the Saturday's Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. He is the third favorite and is partly owned by Louisville basketball coach Rick Pitino. (Photo: Rob Carr, Getty Images) Note: The horse that drew the No. 1 post, Black Onyx, was scratched on Friday. Fear the Kitten had the 21st spot in the Derby points standings, but he was also scratched, so the field will remain at 19 and the first post will remain open. VIDEO: Get to know the Kentucky Derby field PHOTOS: Friday at Churchill Downs PICKS: Who the experts like in Kentucky Derby Oxbow Saddlecloth: No.2. Odds:30-1. Record, earnings: 9: 2-1-1 ($383,500) Last start: 5th, Arkansas Derby, April 13 Sire: Awesome Again (Cee's Tizzy) Dam: Tizamazing Jockey: Gary Stevens Trainer: D. Wayne Lukas Owner: Calumet Farm Breeder: Colts Neck Stables LLC Why he can win: Are you kidding? Owner Calumet Farm, trainer Lukas and jockey Stevens possess a combined 15 Derby victories, with Lukas and Stevens teaming for two. Oxbow has a beautiful pedigree for the Derby distance, being by 1998 Breeders' Cup Classic winner Awesome Again and from the female family of Tizamazing. Why he can't: The last Derby winner who was worse than fourth in its previous start was Iron Liege in 1957. (Oxbow was fifth in the Arkansas Derby.) Notable: This is the first Derby mount for Stevens, a three-time winner, since 2005. Revolutionary Saddlecloth: No. 3. Odds:10-1. Record, earnings: 6: 3-1-2 ($788,500) Last start: Won Louisiana Derby, March 30 Sire: War Pass (A.P. Indy) Dam: Runup the Colors Jockey: Calvin Borel Trainer: Todd Pletcher Owner: WinStar Farm LLC Breeder: W.S. Farish Why he can win: Borel can follow Rick Pitino from Hall of Fame induction to a coveted title. Revolutionary has shown he can overcome traffic trouble, and with Borel he'll be through holes that don't exist before they become a jackpot. Watch out if the track is sloppy. Why he can't: He was well-beaten by Orb in a Nov. 24 maiden race and has not faced top competition since and then had close finishes in his two stakes wins. Notable: The $235,000 2-year-old purchase reunites the team of WinStar Farm, Pletcher and Borel that won the 2010 Derby with Super Saver. Golden Soul Saddlecloth: No. 4.Odds: 50-1. Record, earnings: 5: 1-2-0 ($117,400) Last start: 4th, Louisiana Derby, March 30 Sire: Perfect Soul (Mr. Prospector) Dam: Hollywood Gold Jockey: Robby Albarado Trainer: Dallas Stewart Owner-breeder: Charles E. Fipke Why he can win: This horse is well-regarded and had to come eight-wide when fourth in the Louisiana Derby. If Mine That Bird (50-1 in 2009) can win, he can. Why he can't: He's not fast enough. Since 1955, only five horses have won the Derby without a prior stakes victory at age 2 or 3. Notable: Albarado's best finish in 12 Derby starts was a pair of thirds. Normandy Invasion Saddlecloth:No. 5.Odds:12-1. Record, earnings: 5: 1-2-0 ($300,240) Last start: 2nd, Wood Memorial, April 6 Sire: Tapit (Boston Harbor) Dam: Boston Lady Jockey:Javier Castellano Trainer: Chad Brown Owner: Fox Hill Farms Breeders: Betz/Kidder/Gainesway/Graves/D.J. Stable/Cole Why he can win: He came flying to finish a close second in the Wood Memorial. Distance won't be a problem. The Derby will be his third start off a layoff and should be his best. Castellano stuck with him over Louisiana Derby winner Revolutionary. Why he can't: At 1-for-5, does he want to win? He has shown a knack for finding trouble in races, obviously a problem in a 20-horse field. Notable: The $230,000 Keeneland 2-year-old purchase is Brown's first Derby starter. Mylute Saddlecloth: No. 6. Odds: 15-1. Record, earnings: 9: 2-3-2 ( $417,695) Last start: 2nd, Louisiana Derby, March 30 Sire: Midnight Lute (Valid Expectations) Dam: Stage Stop Jockey: Rosie Napravnik Trainer: Tom Amoss Owners: GoldMark Farm & Whisper Hills Farm Breeder: Mike G. Rutherford Why he can win: He ran a huge race to come extremely wide and lose the Louisiana Derby by a neck. If you love Revolutionary, you better play Mylute at a better price. Why he can't: He had every chance to get past Revolutionary in the stretch of the Louisiana Derby and couldn't stare him down. Being out of a Valid Expectation mare, he doesn't want to run that far. Notable:Napravnik last year became the first female rider to win the Kentucky Oaks. Giant Finish Saddlecloth: No. 7. Odds: 50-1. Record, earnings: 5: 2-1-1 ($133,050) Last start: 3rd, Spiral Stakes, March 23 Sire: Frost Giant (Hickman Creek) Dam: Apocalyptic Jockey: Jose Espinoza Trainer: Tony Dutrow Owner: Sunrise Stables Breeder: Andrew Cohen Why he can win: Except for one race in the slop, he's never run a bad race. Why he can't: Those races all were against far lesser competition. He's too slow. It's not a good sign when the trainer initially says he won't be at the race. Notable: This is the first Derby starter for both Dutrow and Espinoza. Goldencents Saddlecloth: No. 8. Odds: 5-1. Record, earnings: 6: 4-1-0 ($1,250,000) Last start: Won Santa Anita Derby, April 6 Sire: Into Mischief (Into Gold) Dam: Golden Works Jockey: Kevin Krigger Trainer: Doug O'Neill Owners: W. C. Racing, Dave Kenney and RAP Racing Breeders:Rosecrest Farm & Karyn Pirrello Why he can win: Cardinal karma! Louisville basketball coach Rick Pitino, a minority owner, is on one of the hottest runs in sports history. Besides that, Goldencents is a serious racehorse who never runs a bad race. Why he can't: Though he ran extremely well in the Santa Anita Derby, he might not really want to run that far. Does anyone really think someone could get elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame, win the NCAA tournament and capture the Kentucky Derby? Notable: Krigger would be the first African-American jockey to win since 1902. Overanalyze Saddlecloth: No. 9. Odds: 15-1. Record, earnings: 7: 4-0-1 ($956,381) Last start: Won Arkansas Derby, April 13 Sire: Dixie Union (Unaccounted For) Dam: Unacloud Jockey: Rafael Bejarano Trainer: Todd Pletcher Owner-breeder: Repole Stable Why he can win: He has what over history has been the prototype of a Derby winner: strong 2-year-old form and coming off a good 11/8-mile victory in the Arkansas Derby. He has tactical speed that allows him to adapt to any pace. His third race off a layoff figures to be his best. Why he can't: Other horses are faster. The Arkansas Derby was dreadfully slow. The Gotham Stakes (he was fifth) has produced one Derby winner. And Overanalyze ain't Secretariat. Notable: The $380,000 Keeneland yearling is the second Derby starter for Mike Repole, who was 12th in 2011 with Stay Thirsty. Palace Malice Saddlecloth: No. 10. Odds: 20-1. Record, earnings: 6: 1-3-1 ($271,135) Last start: 2nd, Blue Grass Stakes, April 13 Sire: Curlin (Royal Anthem) Dam: Palace Rumor Jockey: Mike Smith Trainer: Todd Pletcher Owner: Dogwood Stable Breeder: W.S. Farish Why he can win: Because it's an awesome name — after the 1949 Three Stooges comedy Malice in the Palace. (The colt is out of Palace Rumor.) In his only off-the-board performance, he had nowhere to run for most of the stretch in the Louisiana Derby, then ran a good race to finish second by a neck in the Blue Grass in his Polytrack debut. He was one of Pletcher's most highly regarded 2-year-olds last summer. He's reminiscent of Giacomo, who won the 2005 Derby at 50-1 under Smith, the new rider for Palace Malice. Why he can't: At 1-for-6 (and after losing the lead late in the Blue Grass), does he want to win? And that's without facing the stiffest competition. Notable: Smith has won a record 17 Breeders' Cup races. Lines of Battle Saddlecloth: No. 11. Odds: 30-1. Record, earnings: 6: 3-1-0 ($1,276,214) Last start: Won UAE Derby March 30 Sire: War Front (Arch) Dam: Black Speck Jockey: Ryan Moore Trainer: Aidan O'Brien Owners-breeders: Joseph Allen, Mrs J. Magnier, M. Tabor, D. Smith Why he can win: He won the 13/16-mile UAE Derby, racing farther than any other horse in this field. Distance won't be an issue Why he can't: He's a grass horse. And while Animal Kingdom used a grass and Polytrack path to win the 2011 Derby in his first dirt start, the UAE Derby has yet to produce a horse to hit the board in the Kentucky Derby. Notable: Part-owner Michael Tabor won the 1995 Derby and Belmont Stakes with Thunder Gulch. Itsmyluckyday Saddlecloth: No. 12. Odds: 15-1. Record, earnings: 10: 5-2-1 ($625,600) Last start: 2nd, Florida Derby, March 30 Sire: Lawyer Ron (Doneraile Court) Dam: Viva La Slew Jockey :Elvis Trujillo Trainer: Eddie Plesa Jr. Owners: Trilogy Stable and Laurie Plesa Breeders: Liberation Farm and Brandywine Farm Why he can win: He wasn't fully cranked when second in the Florida Derby and hadn't raced in two months. He is an extremely classy horse with some of the best speed figures in the field. With that name, he has to win. Why he can't: He doesn't want to run that far. He's a monster in Florida, not so much elsewhere. Notable: This is the first Derby for Trujillo, a graduate of the Laffit Pincay Jr. Jockey School in Panama. Falling Sky Saddlecloth: No. 13. Odds: 50-1. Record, earnings: 6: 3-0-1 ($249,800) Last start: 4th Arkansas Derby, April 13 Sire: Lion Heart (Sea Hero) Dam: Sea Dragoness Jockey: Luis Saez Trainer: John Terranova II Owners: Newtown Anner Stud, James Covello and Joseph Bulger Breeder:Copper Penny Stables LLC Why he can win: Three words: Mine That Bird. Anything is possible. Falling Sky might go wire-to-wire as his rivals assume he'll stop. Works suggest he loves Churchill Downs. Why he can't: He's an honest horse but looks too slow. He's going to have other serious classy speed keeping him company up front. Notable: Terranova and Saez are in their first Derby. Verrazano Saddlecloth: No. 14. Odds: 4-1. Record, earnings: 4: 4-0-0 ($861,300) Last start: Won Wood Memorial April 6 Sire: More Than Ready (Giant's Causeway) Dam: Enchanted Rock Jockey: John Velazquez Trainer: Todd Pletcher Owners-breeders: Let's Go Stable/Emory A. Hamilton Why he can win: The unbeaten Wood Memorial winner is the one horse in the field who could be truly brilliant — the one horse capable of jaw-dropping performances. The $250,000 Keeneland yearling got the perfect prep in the Wood, winning without a lot being taken out of him. Why he can't: The granddaddy of all reasons: Only Apollo in 1882 has won the Derby without racing as a 2-year-old. His jaw-dropping performances were around one turn. His speed figures have dropped as the distances have increased. Notable: The last time Pletcher saddled a record-tying five Derby horses, his best finish was sixth. Charming Kitten Saddlecloth: No. 15. Odds: 20-1. Record, earnings: 7: 2-2-2 ($257,000) Last start: 3rd, Blue Grass, April 13 Sire: Kitten's Joy (Wild Again) Dam: Iteration Jockey: Edgar Prado Trainer: Todd Pletcher Owner-breeder: Ken and Sarah Ramsey Why he can win: By Kitten's Joy and out of a Wild Again mare, the rallying Blue Grass third-place finisher absolutely will get the distance. No one was hotter at Keeneland than the Ramseys, who have the franchise on offspring of their stallion Kitten's Joy. Why he can't: Dirt is not the surface of choice for Kitten's Joy's progeny. His best speed figures are below much of the field. Notable: Prado won the 2006 Derby with Barbaro. Orb Saddlecloth: No. 16. Odds: 7-2. Record, earnings: 7: 4-0-1 Last start: Won Florida Derby (March 30) Sire: Malibu Moon (Unbridled) Dam: Lady Liberty Jockey: Joel Rosario Trainer: Shug McGaughey Owners-breeders: Stuart Janney III LLC & Phipps Stable Why he can win: The Derby's final furlong is the longest eighth of a mile in racing, where genetics kick in. Florida Derby winner Orb, whose grandparents are a Belmont Stakes winner (A.P. Indy) and Derby winner (Unbridled), reflects 70years of stamina-laden breeding by the Janney family. He went 3-for-3 at Gulfstream Park in spite of a speed-favoring surface and should relish the venue change to Churchill. Why he can't: The possibility that other horses are faster and maybe one of those can handle the distance. The Florida Derby was a fairly slow race in which he ran down horses that don't want to run that far. Notable: Rosario leads the nation in wins and purse earnings (counting Dubai World Cup). Will Take Charge Saddlecloth: No. 17. Odds: 20-1. Record, earnings: 7: 3-1-0 ($545,371) Last start: Won Rebel Stakes, March 16 Sire: Unbridled's Song (Dehere) Dam: Take Charge Lady Jockey: Jon Court Trainer: D. Wayne Lukas Owner: Willis D. Horton Breeder: Eaton Why he can win: Lukas has won the Derby four times. Will Take Charge was bred and purchased ($425,000) to be this kind of horse. His Rebel victory showed he's game. Why he can't: Other horses are consistently faster. The last horse to win without first racing farther than 11/16 miles was Middleground in 1950. Dating to 1929, no horse has won after a 49-day layoff, and two have won 42 days after their final prep. Notable: Lukas, 77, would surpass Charlie Whittingham (76 in 1989) as the oldest trainer to win the Derby. Frac Daddy Saddlecloth: No. 18. Odds: 50-1. Record, earnings: 6: 1-3-0 ($288,116) Last start 2nd, Arkansas Derby, April 13 Sire: Scat Daddy (Skip Away) Dam: Skipper's Mate Jockey: Victor Lebron Trainer: Kenny McPeek Owner: Magic City Thoroughbred Partners Breeder: Nancy M. Leonard Living Trust Why he can win: He ran his best race of the year when finishing second in the Arkansas Derby and returns to the site of his best performances overall, having won a maiden race by 9¾ lengths and finished second by a neck in the Kentucky Jockey Club last fall. He finally has put a foot problem and throat ulcers behind him. Why he can't: He's too slow. He lost the slowly run Arkansas Derby by 4¼ lengths. Notable: Krigger and Lebron will be the first jockeys from St. Croix, Virgin Islands, to ride in the Derby. Java's War Saddlecloth: No. 19. Odds: 15-1. Record, earnings: 7: 3-1-1 ($672,091) Last start: Won Blue Grass Stakes, April 13 Sire: War Pass (Java) Dam: Rainbow Quest Jockey: Julien Leparoux Trainer: Kenny McPeek Owner-breeder: Charles E. Fipke Why he can win: No horse finished faster than he did in winning the Blue Grass. He'll love the extra eighth of a mile. Why he can't: He's a grass horse — and ran in the Blue Grass like a grass horse with that fast finish. He can't afford to break slowly and spot the field lengths again. Unless you're ridden by Calvin Borel, you don't come from last to win the Derby. Notable: Leparoux would be the first French-born rider to win the Derby since Jean Cruguet rode 1977 Triple Crown winner Seattle Slew. Vyjack Saddlecloth: No. 20. Odds: 15-1. Record, earnings: 5: 4-0-1 ($542,200) Last start: 3rd, Wood Memorial, April 6 Sire: Into Mischief (Stravinsky) Dam: Life Happened Jockey: Garrett Gomez Trainer: Rudy Rodriguez Owner: Pick Six Racing (David Wilkenfeld) Breeder: Machmer Hall Why he can win: He never runs a bad race and showed versatility in coming from well back to win the Gotham. He had an excuse (mucous in the lungs) when third in the Wood, losing by a length behind Verrazano and Normandy Invasion and still coming home fast. Joel Rosario took off to ride Orb, and Derby history is full of jockeys making the wrong decision. Why he can't: Even though he came home in good time, the Wood pace was crawling and suggests he has distance limitations. Smarty Jones (2004) is the only horse to wear the roses after running over Aqueduct's inner track. Notable: Vyjack is the only gelding in field. Story Highlights
Source : http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/horses/2013/05/03/kentucky-derby-field-19-horses/2132515/