May 6, 2022 - Sports
A look ahead at the Run for the Roses
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
The 148th Kentucky Derby is on Saturday, kicking off the 2022 Triple Crown with what could be a record-setting crowd.
- After fans were limited the past two years, organizers project that attendance tomorrow could break the record of 170,513 set in 2015.
- Post time: 6:57pm ET (NBC)
- Weather: High of 66°F and 46% chance of rain
The field: 20 horses will line up with anywhere from a 3-1 to 30-1 shot at winning.
- Favorites: Zandon (3-1 odds; post No. 10); Epicenter (7-2; No. 3); Messier (8-1; No. 6); White Abarrio (10-1; No. 15); Mo Donegal (10-1; No. 1)
- Japanese history: Crown Pride (20-1, No. 7) is the fourth horse with ties to Japan to ever compete in the Derby, and just the second actually born there.
- Of note: Since the Derby began using a starting gate in 1930, posts No. 5 (10 wins) and No. 10 (nine) have seen the most winners, while No. 17 is the only one that’s never produced a champ.
Between the lines: Notably absent from this year's Derby is legendary but controversial trainer Bob Baffert. He received a two-year ban after his record seventh win last year was stripped due to a failed drug test.
- Medina Spirit, the horse in question, died suddenly last December during a workout. His necropsy did not confirm a definitive cause of death.
- Baffert will also miss this year's Preakness and Belmont Stakes.
