A Statistical Look at All the Kentucky Derby Contenders

Following are some stats for all of the likely starters for Kentucky Derby 145, including post position statistics, Derby records for each trainer, owner and jockey, as well as significant prep race information (winners of both the prep and the Derby in bold.)

Horses are listed in post-position order. (All information accumulated since 1980.)

War Of Will

War Of Will

1. War of Will, 15-1

Won Risen Star Stakes (GII), 9th in Louisiana Derby
-Post position 1 (89-8-5-5) 9.0% win 20.2% ITM. Last winner: Ferdinand, 1986
-Trainer Mark Casse: 6-0-0-0
-Owner Gary Barber: two Derby starters, no winners
-Jockey Tyler Gaffalione: one Kentucky Derby mount, no win
*Risen Star Stakes starters in the Derby: 53-1-3-3 (War Emblem, 2002)
*Arkansas Derby starters in the Derby: 110-6-5-8 (American Pharoah, 2015; Super Saver, 2010; Smarty Jones, 2004; Grindstone, 1996; Lil E. Tee, 1992)

2. Tax, 20-1

Won Withers Stakes, 2nd Wood Memorial Stakes
-Post position 2 (89-7-5-13 7.9% win 28.1% ITM. Last winner: Affirmed, 1978
-Trainer Danny Gargan: first Kentucky Derby starter
-Owner Reeves Racing: one Kentucky Derby starter, not a winner; Hugh Lynch, Corms Racing and R. A. Hill Racing: first Kentucky Derby starter
-Jockey Junior Alvarado: two Kentucky Derby mounts, no winners
*Withers Stakes starters in the Derby: 7-0-0-1
*Wood Memorial starters in the Derby: 93-6-5-3 (Funny Cide, 2003; Fusaichi Pegasus, 2000; Go For Gin, 1994; Pleasant Colony, 1981; Genuine Risk (f), 1980)

3. By My Standards, 15-1

Won Louisiana Derby
-Post position 3 (89-5-6-8 5.6% win 21.3% ITM. Last winner: Real Quiet, 1998
-Trainer Bret Calhoun: first Kentucky Derby starter
-Owner Allied Racing Stable: first Kentucky Derby starter
-Jockey Gabriel Saez: two Kentucky Derby mounts, no winners
*Louisiana Derby starters in the Derby: 78-2-4-5 (Funny Cide, 2003; Grindstone, 1996)

4. Gray Magician, 50-1

2nd UAE Derby
-Post position 4 (89-5-6-4) 5.6% win 16.9% ITM. Last winner: Super Saver, 2010
-Trainer Peter Miller: one Kentucky Derby starter, not a winner
-Owner Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners: three Derby Starters, no winners; Gary Barber: two Derby starters, no winners
-Jockey Drayden Van Dyke: one Kentucky Derby mount, not a winner
*UAE Derby starters in the Derby: 13-0-0-0

improbable-op-gallop-041018-002

Improbable

5. Improbable, 5-1

Won Los Alamitos Futurity, 2nd Rebel Stakes, 2nd Arkansas Derby
-Post position 5 (89-10-8-4) 11.2% win 24.7% ITM. Last winner: Always Dreaming, 2017
-Trainer Bob Baffert: 29-5-3-3 (Silver Charm, 1997; Real Quiet, 1998; War Emblem, 2002; American Pharoah, 2015; Justify, 2018)
-Owner WinStar Farm: 21-2-1-2 (Super Saver, 2010; Justify, 2018) China Horse Club: two starters, one winner (Justify, 2018); Starlight Racing: 9-1-0-1 (Justify, 2018)
-Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr.: 3-0-0-0
*Los Alamitos Futurity runners in the Derby: 66-5-8-4 (Giacomo, 2005; Real Quiet, 1998; Thunder Gulch, 1995; Alysheba, 1987; Ferdinand, 1986; Gato Del Sol, 1982)
*Rebel Stakes starters in the Derby: 53-3-2-3 (American Pharoah, 2015; Smarty Jones, 2004; Sunny’s Halo, 1983)
*Arkansas Derby starters in the Derby: 110-6-5-8 (American Pharoah, 2015; Super Saver, 2010; Smarty Jones, 2004; Grindstone, 1996; Lil E. Tee, 1992)

6. Vekoma, 15-1

Won Blue Grass Stakes, 3rd Fountain of Youth Stakes
-Post position 6 (89-2-8-3) 2.2% win 14.6% ITM. Last winner: Sea Hero, 1993
-Trainer George Weaver: one starter, no winners
-Owner R. A. Hill Stable: first starter; Gatsas Stable: first starter
-Jockey Javier Castellano: 12-0-0-1
*Blue Grass Stakes starters in the Derby: 146-7-11-7 (Street Sense, 2007; Thunder Gulch, 1995; Sea Hero, 1993; Strike The Gold, 1991; Unbridled, 1990; Alysheba, 1997; Gato Del Sol, 1982)

Maximum Security

Maximum Security

7. Maximum Security, 8-1

Won Florida Derby
-post postion 7 (88-7-6-5) 8.0% win 20.5% ITM. Last winner: Justify, 2018
-Trainer Jason Servis: one starter, not a winner
-Owner Gary and Mary West: 3-0-0-0
-Jockey Luis Saez: 6-0-0-0
*Florida Derby starters in the Derby: 113-12-8-5 (Always Dreaming, 2017; Nyquist, 2016; Orb, 2013; Big Brown, 2008; Barbaro, 2006; Monarchos, 2001; Thunder Gulch, 1995; Go For Gin, 1994; Strike the Gold, 1991; Unbridled, 1990; Swale, 1984; Pleasant Colony, 1981)

8. Tacitus, 8-1

Won Wood Memorial Stakes, Won Tampa Bay Derby
-post position 8 (88-8-5-4) 9.1% win 19.3% ITM. Last winner, Mine That Bird, 2009
-Trainer Bill Mott: 8-0-0-0
-Owner Juddmonte Farms: 4-0-2-0
-Jockey Jose L. Ortiz: 4-0-1-0
*Wood Memorial starters in the Derby: 93-6-5-3 (Funny Cide, 2003; Fusaichi Pegasus, 2000; Go For Gin, 1994; Pleasant Colony, 1981; Genuine Risk (f), 1980)
*Tampa Bay Derby starters in the Derby: 38-2-2-3 (Super Saver, 2010; Street Sense, 2007)

9. Plus Que Parfait, 30-1

Won UAE Derby
-post position 9 (85-4-5-8) 4.7% win 20.0% ITM. Last winner, Riva Ridge, 1972
-Trainer Brendan Walsh: first Kentucky Derby starter
-Owner Imperial Racing: first Kentucky Derby starter
-Jockey Ricardo Santana Jr.: 4-0-0-0
*UAE Derby starters in the Derby: 13-0-0-0

10. Cutting Humor, 30-1

 -post position 10 (82-9-6-9) 11.0% win 29.3% ITM. Last winner: Giacomo, 2005
-Trainer Todd Pletcher: 52-2-24 (Always Dreaming, 2017; Super Saver, 2010)
-Owner Starlight Racing: Starlight Racing: 9-1-0-1 (Justify, 2018)
-Jockey Corey Lanerie: 4-0-1-0
*Sunland Park Derby runners in the Derby: 10-1-1-0 (Mine That Bird, 2009)

11. Haikal, 30-1

Won Gotham Stakes, 3rd Wood Memorial
-post position 11 (78-2-5-4) 2.6% win 14.1% ITM. Last winner: Winning Colors, 1988
-Trainer by Kiaran McLaughlin: 8-0-1-0
-Owner Shadwell Stable: 3-0-0-0
-Jockey Rajiv Maragh: 5-0-0-1
*Gotham Stakes runners in the Derby: 44-0-2-0
*Wood Memorial starters in the Derby: 93-6-5-3 (Funny Cide, 2003; Fusaichi Pegasus, 2000; Go For Gin, 1994; Pleasant Colony, 1981; Genuine Risk (f), 1980)

12. Omaha Beach, 4-1

Scratched

13. Code of Honor, 12-1

Won Fountain of Youth Stakes, 3rd Florida Derby
-post position 12 (74-3-3-3) 4.1% win 12.2% ITM. Last winner: Canonero II, 1971
-Trainer Shug McGaughey: 7-1-1-1 (Orb, 2013)
-Owner William S. Farish: 3-0-0-0
-Jockey John Velazquez: 20-2-1-0 (Animal Kingdom, 2011; Always Dreaming, 2017
*Fountain of Youth starters in the Derby: 94-6-6-4 (Orb, 2013; Thunder Gulch, 1995; Go For Gin, 1994; Unbridled, 1990)
*Florida Derby starters in the Derby: 113-12-8-5 (Always Dreaming, 2017; Nyquist, 2016; Orb, 2013; Big Brown, 2008; Barbaro, 2006; Monarchos, 2001; Thunder Gulch, 1995; Go For Gin, 1994; Strike the Gold, 1991; Unbridled, 1990; Swale, 1984; Pleasant Colony, 1981)

14. Win Win Win, 12-1

2nd Blue Grass Stakes, 3rd Tampa Bay Derby
-post position 13 (72-5-5-7) 6.9% win 23.6% ITM. Last winner: Nyquist, 2016-Trainer Michael Trombetta: one starter, not a winner
-Owner Live Oak Plantation (Charlotte Weber): 3-0-1-0
-Jockey Julian Pimentel: first Derby mount
*Blue Grass Stakes starters in the Derby: 146-7-11-7 (Street Sense, 2007; Thunder Gulch, 1995; Sea Hero, 1993; Strike The Gold, 1991; Unbridled, 1990; Alysheba, 1997; Gato Del Sol, 1982)
*Tampa Bay Derby starters in the Derby: 38-2-2-3 (Super Saver, 2010; Street Sense, 2007)

15. Master Fencer, 50-1

2nd Fukuryu Stakes
-post position 14 (62-2-5-5) 3.2% win 19.4% ITM. Last winner: Carry Back, 1961
-Trainer Koichi Tsunod: first Kentucky Derby starter
-Owner Katsumi Yoshizawa: first Kentucky Derby starter
-Jockey Julien Leparoux: 10-0-0-0
*No Japanese-bred has ever run in the Kentucky Derby

Game-Winner_Tom-Ferry

Game Winner

16. Game Winner, 9-2

Won Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, 2nd in Santa Anita Derby
-post position 15 (57-5-2-1) 8.8% win 14.0% ITM. Last winner: American Pharoah
-Trainer Bob Baffert: 29-5-3-3 (Silver Charm, 1997; Real Quiet, 1998; War Emblem, 2002; American Pharoah, 2015; Justify, 2018)
-Owner Gary and Mary West: 3-0-0-0Su
-Jockey Joel Rosario: 8-1-0-0 (Orb, 2013)
*Breeders’ Cup Juvenile runners in the Derby: 100-6-8-8 (Nyquist, 2016; Mine That Bird, 2009; Street Sense, 2007; Sea Hero, 1993; Alysheba, 1987; Spend a Buck, 1985)
*Santa Anita Derby runners in the Derby: 116-11-9-9 (Justify, 2018; California Chrome, 2014; I’ll Have Another, 2012; Giacomo, 2005; Charismatic, 1999; Real Quiet, 1998; Silver Charm, 1997; Sunday Silence, 1989; Winning Colors (f), 1988; Ferdinand, 1986; Gato Del Sol, 1982)

17. Roadster, 5-1

-post position 16 (47-4-3-3) 8.5% win 21.3% ITM. Last winner: Animal Kingdom, 2011
-Trainer Bob Baffert: 29-5-3-3 (Silver Charm, 1997; Real Quiet, 1998; War Emblem, 2002; American Pharoah, 2015; Justify, 2018)
-Owner Speedway Stables LLC: first Derby starter
-Jockey Florent Geroux: 3-0-0-1
*Santa Anita Derby runners in the Derby: 116-11-9-9 (Justify, 2018; California Chrome, 2014; I’ll Have Another, 2012; Giacomo, 2005; Charismatic, 1999; Real Quiet, 1998; Silver Charm, 1997; Sunday Silence, 1989; Winning Colors (f), 1988; Ferdinand, 1986; Gato Del Sol, 1982)

18. Long Range Toddy, 30-1

Won Rebel Stakes
-post position 17 (40-0-1-2 0.0% win 7.5% ITM. No winners from post 17
-Owner Willis Horton: two starters, no winners
-Trainer Steve Asmussen: 19-0-2-2
-Jockey Jon Court: 3-0-0-0
*Rebel Stakes starters in the Derby: 53-3-2-3 (American Pharoah, 2015; Smarty Jones, 2004; Sunny’s Halo, 1983)

19. Spinoff, 30-1

2nd Louisiana Derby
-post position 18 (32-1-4-0) 3.1%win 15.6%ITM Last winner: Gato Del Sol, 1982
-Trainer Todd Pletcher: 52-2-24 (Always Dreaming, 2017; Super Saver, 2010)
-Owner Wertheimer et Frere: first Derby starter
-Jockey Manuel Franco: one Derby mount, no winners
*Louisiana Derby starters in the Derby: 78-2-4-5 (Funny Cide, 2003; Grindstone, 1996)

20. Country House, 30-1

2nd Risen Star Stakes, 3rd Arkansas Derby
-post postion 19: (27-1-1-0) 3.7%win 7.4%ITM Last winner: I’ll Have Another, 2012
-Trainer Bill Mott: 8-0-0-0
-Owner Mrs. J. V. Shields, Jr., E.J.M. Jr. and LNJ Foxwoods: first Derby starter
-Jockey Flavien Prat: 2-0-0-1
*Rebel Stakes starters in the Derby: 53-3-2-3 (American Pharoah, 2015; Smarty Jones, 2004; Sunny’s Halo, 1983)
*Arkansas Derby starters in the Derby: 110-6-5-8 (American Pharoah, 2015; Super Saver, 2010; Smarty Jones, 2004; Grindstone, 1996; Lil E. Tee, 1992)

21. Bodexpress, 30-1

2nd Florida Derby
– post position 20: (17-1-0-1) 5.9%win 11.8%ITM Last winner: Big Brown, 2008
-Owned by: Top Racing, Global Thoroughbreds and GDS Racing: first Derby starter
-Trainer Gustavo Delgado: first Derby Starter
-Jockey Chris Landeros: first Derby mount
*Florida Derby starters in the Derby: 113-12-8-5 (Always Dreaming, 2017; Nyquist, 2016; Orb, 2013; Big Brown, 2008; Barbaro, 2006; Monarchos, 2001; Thunder Gulch, 1995; Go For Gin, 1994; Strike the Gold, 1991; Unbridled, 1990; Swale, 1984; Pleasant Colony, 1981)