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5 Derby horses to watch
DORTMUND
One of two horses in the field trained by Bob Baffert, who is seeking his fourth Derby victory and first since War Emblem in 2002. The colt is a son of 2008 Derby winner Big Brown. He brings a gaudy 6-0 record into Churchill Downs, equalling the records of Derby winners Seattle Slew in 1977 and Smarty Jones in 2004. He proved he can win with a front-running style in his last two starts at the San Felipe and Santa Anita derbies. Earlier in his career, he stalked the pace and came from behind to win. The colt will be ridden by Martin Garcia, who is 0 for 2 in the Derby.
AMERICAN PHAROAH
The other Baffert-trained horse has just as much or more talent than Dortmund, and owns a four-race winning streak. He was sired by 2009 Derby runner-up Pioneer of the Nile. He’s coming off an eight-length victory in the Arkansas Derby, his second race back after a left front foot injury that kept him out of last year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. American Pharoah has a frontrunning style; the only time he had to come from behind, he finished fifth in his career debut. The worry about him is that the colt hasn’t been tested in his prep races. Victor Espinoza will be aboard a year after winning the Derby with California Chrome.
CARPE DIEM
Todd Pletcher’s top Derby entry among his four-horse contingent commanded a sale price of $1.6 million US as a two-year-old. Winner of the Blue Grass and Tampa Bay derbies, with his lone career loss being a runner-up finish in the BC Juvenile. He prefers stalking the leader and closing strongly. The colt has a history of fractious behaviour when it comes to loading into the starting gate and Pletcher has given him extra tutoring in the hopes of keeping him calm on Derby days. He’ll be ridden by John Velazquez, Derby winner in 2011 aboard Animal Kingdom. Pletcher is seeking his second Derby win; his first was with Super Saver in 2010.
FROSTED
Winner of the Wood Memorial by two lengths, he has undergone the biggest transformation of any Derby runner. After inexplicably stopping at the top of the stretch in the Fountain of Youth, Frosted had Kieran McLaughlin scratching his head. The trainer decided to change jockeys and go with Joel Rosario, who won the 2013 Derby with Orb. He then moved Frosted from Florida back to New York, where he won his first career race, adjusted his blinkers that restrict his vision and had him undergo a minor throat procedure to help his breathing. The biggest question is whether he can handle the longer Kentucky race. He has two wins in seven career starts.
INTERNATIONAL STAR
A son of 2000 Derby winner Fusaichi Pegasus, he swept the trio of Derby prep races at the Fair Grounds in New Orleans, including the Louisiana Derby. His 171 points topped the Derby leaderboard that decides the 20-horse field, but he figures to be a longer shot despite being one of four millionaires in the race. He has five wins in nine career races. He is trained by Mike Maker, who is 0 for 7 in the Derby. Miguel Mena will be riding in his first Derby. Owners Ken and Sarah Ramsey are among the best in the sport and are native Kentuckians.