2012 Kentucky Derby Contenders
Here is the latest look at the list of top contenders for the 2012 Kentucky Derby to be run on May 5th at Churchill Downs. The graded prep races are going strong and there are about two months left to add to their earnings to make the Kentucky Derby field. A few have already dropped out due to injury, and some new players have stepped up who were unraced as two-year-olds, so watch for changes to this list each week. Entries will be taken on May 2 which will give the final answer to who will be in the 2012 Kentucky Derby field.
Below is my first list of contenders with their trainer, jockey, and dosage index. Be sure to click the link on each horse’s name to view full info, stats, and a photo where available. Jockey assignments are based on who has been riding so far and can change drastically as we get farther into the Triple Crown preps. The Experimental Free Handicap was released on February 2nd, and there are 13 dual qualifiers this year. An asterisk (*) by the name in the list below indicates a dual qualifier. The early Triple Crown nominations, which cost $600, closed on January 21 with 398 nominations. Late nominations, which cost $6000, will close in late March and are the last chance to be eligible without a high supplement fee.
| Horse | Trainer | Dosage | Jockey |
| Alpha | Kiaran McLaughlin | 1.67 | Ramon Dominguez |
| American Act | Jack Carara | 4.78 | Martin Pedroza |
| Battle Hardened | Eddie Kenneally | 1.56 | Julien Leparoux |
| Bodemeister | Bob Baffert | 3 | Rafael Bejarano |
| Castaway | Bob Baffert | 0.67 | Rafael Bejarano |
| Creative Cause | Mike Harrington | 1.43 * | Joel Rosario |
| Daddy Nose Best | Steve Asmussen | 2.43 | Julien Leparoux |
| Discreet Dancer | Todd Pletcher | 3.44 | Javier Castellano |
| Dullahan | Dale Romans | 4.2 | Kent Desormeaux |
| El Padrino | Todd Pletcher | 2.6 | Javier Castellano |
| Empire Way | Mike Harrington | 2.81 | Joel Rosario |
| Gemologist | Todd Pletcher | 2.73 * | Javier Castellano |
| Hansen | Mike Maker | 3.50 * | Ramon Dominguez |
| I’ll Have Another | Doug O’Neill | 2.11 | Mario Gutierrez |
| Liaison | Bob Baffert | 3.00 * | Rafael Bejarano |
| Mark Valeski | Larry Jones | 3 | Rosie Napravnik |
| Midnight Transfer | Carla Gaines | 2 | Joel Rosario |
| My Adonis | Kelly Breen | 2.67 | E.J. Trujillo |
| News Pending | Dale Romans | 1.4 | Kent Desormeaux |
| Prospective | Mark Casse | 3.36 | Luis Contreras |
| Rousing Sermon | Jerry Hollendorfer | 2.60 * | Joe Talamo |
| Sabercat | Steve Asmussen | 2.73 * | Gerard Melancon |
| Secret Circle | Bob Baffert | 2.53 * | Rafael Bejarano |
| State of Play | Graham Motion | 2 | Alan Garcia |
| Take Charge Indy | Patrick Byrne | 3 | Calvin Borel |
| Union Rags | Michael Matz | 2.14 * | Julien Leparoux |
Originally Posted on Horse-Races.net
Recent Columns
- 2012 Kentucky Oaks
The fillies never get the press the boys do, but on Friday they get the spotlight in the 2012 Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs. On Tuesday the post positions were drawn for the 138th Kentucky Oaks and a field of 14 3-year-old fillies plus one also-eligible made the entry box for this $1,000,000 Grade 1 event over 1 1/8 miles on the main track. - Toyota Blue Grass Results
The $750,000 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G1) at Keeneland Race Course is one of the final major preps for the Kentucky Derby, and historically has been the race that yields the most Derby winners. - Kentucky Derby Prep Santa Anita Derby Day
The major California prep race for the Kentucky Derby is the $750,000 Santa Anita Derby (G1), celebrating its 75th renewal this year, contested at 1 1/8 miles over the Santa Anita main track just 4 weeks before the Run for the Roses. - 2012 Florida Derby Day
The highlight of the Gulfstream Park meeting is the $1 million Florida Derby (G1), a major prep for the Kentucky Derby. A field of 8 three-year-olds contested this 1 1/8 mile trip on Saturday afternoon before 18,224 fans under clear skies and temperatures in the mid 80's. - Late Triple Crown Nominations 2012
The final nomination period closed with 20 additional nominees at a cost of $6000 each, the most late nominations since the 25 that were added in 1993. Added to the 398 nominated in the early period, this brings the total number nominated up to 418, the highest since the 460 nominated in 2007 and 2008.
About
