The Kentucky Derby is always an exciting time for everyone. People make the trip to Churchill Downs in Louisville to celebrate what is commonly called "the best two minutes in sports." The Derby is the first race in the Triple Crown saga. Last year, American Pharaoh was the first horse in years to break the long streak of no Triple Crown winner. Will there be a new horse this year that can bring us another Triple Crown? Here are the horses to watch out for this year.
1. Nyquist
This is the top horse contender right now to win the Derby. He has won every race in which he has competed since June 2015. He even raced in the Breeder's Cup in Keeneland and the Florida Derby, and he won in both races. He was bred in Kentucky at Summerhill Farm. Here is a video of one of his races.
2. Gun Runner
This horse could quite possibly be in the top five horses to finish the Derby. The most recent race he ran in was the Louisiana Derby, which he won. Gun Runner has only raced at Churchill Downs twice before. The first time he won, and the most recent time he came in fourth. Watch a video of Gun Runner here.
3. Brody's Cause
This horse is at the top of his game right now. Some say this is the horse that could give Nyquist a run for his money and could possibly beat him in the Derby. Brody's Cause has already raced against Nyquist in the Breeder's Cup and came in third. In his most recent race, he came in first at Keeneland. Watch him race here.
4. Lani
This horse has done very well overseas. This is one of the only foreign horses who is a Derby contender. Lani came in first place during the UAE Derby. The only thing that makes me a little hesitant about this horse is that even though he ran a mile and a quarter (the length of the Derby), he came in fourth, so he might lose steam near the end of the race.
5. Mohaymen
This horse looks has done well in the past. He has already raced against Nyquist in the Florida Derby, where Mohaymen came in fourth place. Mohaymen was also bred in Kentucky at Clearsky Farms. Watch him race here.
6. Whitmore
This is a horse that if I had to bet, I would probably place a "show" bet on him. He came in second and third place in his three most recent races. The last time he raced at Churchill Downs, he came in first place. Watch Whitmore race here.
7. Destin
This horse looks like a pretty good contender. Destin has won the past two races in which he has participated. The most recent race was the Tampa Bay Derby, which is a mile-and-one-16th long, and he completed it in only a minute and 42 seconds. Watch the Tampa Bay Derby here.
8. Danzing Candy
This horse would be good for a superfecta bet. In the most recent race, Danzing Candy came in fourth, but he has come in first in everyone before that. This horse is one of the slower ones, so I would predict he comes between fourth and eighth place in the Derby. Watch Danzing Candy run in the Santa Anita Derby here.
9. Mo Tom
This horse has already raced against Gun Runner in the past, but came in third and fourth behind him in two different races. Watch Mo Tom in the Louisiana Derby here.
10. Outwork
Even though this horse has only raced four times in his life, he has won every race except one. In that race, he raced against fellow Derby contender, Destin. This horse is used to distance races like the other horses, so I would definitely not count Outwork out. Watch Outwork win the Wood Memorial here.