Fields are set for the historic 150th runnings of the Kentucky Derby (G1) and Kentucky Oaks (G1) at Churchill Downs. Kentucky-breds are prominent in both races. A total of 18 of the 20 entrants in the Kentucky Derby were bred in Kentucky and 13 of the 14 entrants in the Kentucky Oaks were bred in the Bluegrass State.
Headlining the $5 million Kentucky Derby is Kentucky-bred Fierceness. The Repole Stable’s homebred was a dominating 13 1/2-length winner of the Florida Derby (G1) in his most recent start. Last year’s Eclipse Champion 2-Year-Old, Fierceness has been installed as the 5-2 morning-line favorite for trainer Todd Pletcher. He will be ridden by John Velazquez.
Second choice on the morning line at 3-1 is Peter Brant, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Westerberg, and Brook Smith’s Sierra Leone. Winner of the Blue Grass Stakes (G1) in his previous outing, Kentucky-bred Sierra Leone is trained by Chad Brown. Three for four in his career, Sierra Leone also captured the Risen Star Stakes (G2) this season. He will be ridden by Tyler Gaffalione.
Louisiana Derby (G2) winner Catching Freedom is the third choice on the morning line at 8-1. Owned by Albaugh Family Stables, Kentucky-bred Catching Freedom is trained by Brad Cox, who saddled 2021 Kentucky Derby winner Mandaloun. Catching Freedom will be ridden by Flavien Prat. Cox will also saddle Qatar Racing, Resolute Racing, and Marc Detampel’s Just a Touch, runner-up to Sierra Leone in the Blue Grass Stakes. Florent Geroux will ride Just a Touch.
Kentucky Oaks
Headlining the Kentucky Oaks is Kentucky-bred Tarifa, the 7-2 morning-line favorite. Owned by Godolphin, Tarifa will attempt to follow Godolphin runner Pretty Mischievous, last year’s Oaks winner, into the Oaks winner’s circle.
A winner in four of five starts, Tarifa won the Rachel Alexandra Stakes (G2) and the Fair Grounds Oaks (G2) in her two most recent starts. Flavien Prat is aboard the Brad Cox trainee. Cox won the Oaks in 2020 with Shedaresthedevil and in 2018 with Monomoy Girl.
Whisper Hill Farm’s Kentucky-bred Leslie’s Rose, winner of the Ashland Stakes (G1) last time out, is the second choice on the morning line at 4-1. Trained by four-time Oaks winner Todd Pletcher, Leslie’s Rose has won three of four starts and will be ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr.
Third choice on the morning line is George Krikorian’s homebred Just F Y I, last year’s champion 2-year-old filly. Trained by Bill Mott, Just F Y I won the Frizette Stakes (G1) and the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) en route to her Eclipse Award at season’s end at two. Most recently, she finished second to Leslie’s Rose in the Ashland at Keeneland in her seasonal debut. Junior Alvarado will be aboard.
Co-fourth choices at 5-1 are Thorpedo Anna for trainer Ken McPeek and Ways and Means for trainer Chad Brown. Thorpedo Anna is campaigned by Brookdale Racing, Mark Edwards, Judy Hicks, and Magdalena Racing. Klaravich Stables owns Ways and Means.