The Kentucky Derby is an all day affair and this year for the 139th running there will be chances for history to me made and dreams coming true, as the Derby goes down on NBC starting at 4 pm, while the Derby post will be at 7 pm on the NBC Sports Network and all day the Derby preparations will be on NBC Sports from 11 am to 4 pm.
The Derby could set records for viewers on Saturday and this time around the 1 1/4 mile race could be one of the most exciting ever, as the field is down one horse after the longshot Black Onyx was scratched. Orb, Verrazano and Goldencents are some of the favorites and a number of jockeys have interesting storylines as well, including Gary Stevens of "Luck" fame and female jockey Rosie Napravnik, who is trying to become the first to win the race. Oxbow is at 30-1 with Stevens, but he has taken longshots before and the horse last started and came in fifth in the Arkansas Derby.
Revolutionary has 10-1 odds and will be ridden by Calvin Borel, while Todd Pletcher is the trainer and in its last race it won the Louisiana Derby in March and could be one of the surprise winners from its post spot. Golden Soul is a 50-1 longshot with Robby Albarado on the jock and the last start for the horse was in the Louisiana Derby as well where it came in fourth place. Normandy Invasion is at 12-1 odds with Javier Castellano on the horse and the last start was in early April where it came in second at the Wood Memorial.
Mylute has 15-1 odds and is ridden by the female jockey and in its last start it came in second at the Louisiana Derby and the momentum has been building heading into Churchill Downs has the No. 6 saddlecloth. Giant Finish has 50-1 odds and is ridden by Jose Espinosa and last came in third at the Spiral Stakes. Goldencents, the 5-1 odds horse will be jockeyed by Kevin Krigger and his last start was at the Santa Anita Derby, which he won in early April. Overanalyze has 15-1 odds and will be ridden by jockey Rafael Bejarano and last won the Arkansas Derby in mid April and will be one of the more interesting picks on Saturday.
Palace Malice has 20-1 odds and the jockey Mike Smith could be the difference as in its last start it came in second at the Blue Grass Stakes in April and its owner is the Dogwood Stable. Lines of Battle has 30-1 odds and has Ryan Moore on the horse and last won the UAE Derby in March. Itsmyluckyday has Elvis Trujilo on the horse and has 15-1 odds and last started in the Florida Derby and came in second. Falling Sky is a longshot at 50-1 odds and has Luis Saez on the horse and last started in the Arkansas Derby on April 13. Verrazano has 4-1 odds and has John Velazquez on the horse and could be the winner after winning the Wood Memorial in early April, while Charming Kitten has 20-1 odds and has jockey Edgar Prado on the horse and Todd Pletcher is also the trainer and its last start was at the Blue Grass in April.
