By US Racing Team
The field for the 147th Kentucky Derby (G1) continues to take shape, with UAE Derby (G2) runner-up Panadol the latest to be declared out of the race.
The decision moves Hidden Stash, fourth in the Blue Grass (G2), up to No. 20 on the Derby points-qualifying leaderboard, leaving Dream Shake next up on the list at No. 21.
The Derby is limited to 20 starters based on qualifying points offered in 35 preps that began Sept. 5 and concluded April 10.
Panadol, a New York bred, is trained by Dubai-based Salem bin Ghadayer and was No. 15 on the leaderboard with 40 points.
Essential Quality – Photo Courtesy of Keeneland / Coady Photography
Unbeaten Essential Quality is the likely favorite for the 1 ¼-mile, $3 million Derby. The 3-year-old gray colt is trained by Louisville native Brad Cox, looking to win his hometown race in his first Derby attempt. He also could saddle two other starters, Caddo River and Mandaloun.
Others that were in the Top 20 who had previously been declared out include Life Is Good, Greatest Honour, Rebel’s Romance, Weyburn, and Proxy.
The post-position draw is Tuesday (April 27).
Of course, the field could change again at any minute, but for now here’s latest update released Thursday by Churchill Downs:
Likely starters (in order of preference)
Essential Quality (Luis Saez, Brad Cox)
Hot Rod Charlie (Flavien Prat, Doug O’Neill)
Super Stock (Ricardo Santana Jr., Steve Asmussen)
Like the King (Drayden Van Dyke, Wesley Ward)
Known Agenda (Irad Ortiz, Todd Pletcher)
Rock Your World (Umberto Rispoli, John Sadler)
Bourbonic (Kendrick Carmouche, Todd Pletcher)
Medina Spirit (John Velazquez, Bob Baffert)
Midnight Bourbon (Mike Smith, Steve Asmussen)
Mandaloun (TBA, Brad Cox)
Caddo River (TBA, Brad Cox)
Helium (Julien Leparoux, Mark Casse)
Soup and Sandwich (Tyler Gaffalione, Mark Casse)
Dynamic One (Jose Ortiz, Todd Pletcher)
Sainthood (TBA, Todd Pletcher)
Hidden Stash (Rafael Bejarano, Vicki Oliver).
Possible starters (on Top 20 list, by preference)
Concert Tour (Joel Rosario, Bob Baffert)
Highly Motivated (Javier Castellano, Chad Brown)
Crowded Trade (TBA, Chad Brown)
Rombauer (TBA, Michael McCarthy).
Next up (in order of preference)
Dream Shake (TBA, Peter Eurton)
O Besos (Marcelino Pedroza, Greg Foley)
Get Her Number (TBA, Peter Miller)
Hozier (TBA, Bob Baffert)
King Fury (Brian Hernandez Jr., Ken McPeek)
Hockey Dad (TBA, Doug O’Neill)
Keepmeinmind (David Cohen, Robertino Diodoro)
Nova Rags (TBA, Bill Mott)
Unbridled Honor (TBA, Todd Pletcher).
