Mandaloun, Jackie’s Warrior Are Long Shots In The 2021 Kentucky Derby
On May 1, 2021, the dirt track at Churchill Downs, Kentucky, will once again be filled with the best racehorses on earth. The Kentucky Derby finds its way back home as the first wing of the U.S. Triple Crown. Highlighting another set of three-year-old colts and fillies, the Derby is looking to showcase another great season this year.
The road to the Derby is not an easy task for aspiring horses to fulfill. Aside from gaining the best talents to showcase inside the race track, participants must go through the Derby trails. They need to significantly win these races or place to earn the qualifying points to get the berth to the Kentucky Derby.
There are only twenty horses allowed to compete in the annual Run For The Roses. With this in mind, every Derby hopeful must gain the best odds throughout the competition. As you learn to find, bookmakers like TVG has a betting guide to help you in wagering on winning horses, here are this year’s silent killers and “dark horses” that can possibly win the Derby honor.
Bezos
Bob Baffert has a good list of racehorses to offer in the Kentucky Derby this year, and Bezos is joining the flock. He is the sire of A.P. Mink, which is bred by Grousemont Farm. He doesn’t have any scheduled races yet, but he impressively completed his first Maiden Special Weight title last February 7, 2021, at Santa Anita.
Brooklyn Strong
The Remsen Stakes superstar Brooklyn Strong is another horse to look forward to and is currently strategizing on how to win at the Kentucky derby. Before earning his Remsen honor, Brooklyn Strong was a Sleepy Hollow Stakes winner and a third placer at the Bertram F. Bongard Stakes. This colt is an entry by Joel Rosario and Daniel Velazquez, who’s still looking for his next racing schedule.
Highly Motivated
On March 6, 2021, Highly Motivated will vie for the Gotham Stakes. Looking into his form, this colt broke his first Maiden Special Weight title last September 2020. Not only that, but he got his first major win last November during the Nyquist Stakes. If he wins the Gotham Stakes, Highly Motivated will become a real contender to the Derby this year.
Hot Rod Charlie
The sire of Indian Miss, Hot Rod Charlie had to overcome four Maiden Special Weight races before getting the title. Last November, he ran at the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile and landed in second place. A month ago. He debuted at the Robert B. Lewis Stakes, where he gained third place. On March 20, he will vie for the Louisiana Derby to make his berth in the Run For The Roses effortlessly.
Jackie’s Warrior
Presently earning three titles from Champagne Stakes, Saratoga Stakes Special, and Hopeful Stakes, Jackie’s Warrior is not a typical horse to disregard in the upcoming Kentucky Derby. He was a 4th place finisher at the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile last year. On February 21, this colt will try his luck in the Southwest Stakes to secure good points in the Derby trails.
Mandaloun
Mandaloun closed out the Risen Star Stakes last week with an impressive victory. This is his second victory this Derby trail after completing third place in the Lecomte Stakes. In March, this colt will try to boost his Derby points and lines by expressing a bid to run in the Louisiana Derby.
Midnight Bourbon
Out of many horses who wanted to aim for a good stint in the Kentucky Derby this year, Midnight Bourbon carries the most impressive resume of them all. Last year, he made two significant placements during the Champagne Stakes (3rd) and Iroquois Stakes (2nd). Last January, he broke out a winning run at the Lecomte Stakes and won third place at the Risen Star Stakes last weekend.
Roman Centurion
Despite his continuous search to win his first Maiden Special Weight title, Roman Centurion looks good for the Kentucky Derby this year. He is an entry of Calvin H. Borel and Thomas Victor Smith.
Tarantino
After winning his second placement last year in the Zuma Beach Stakes, Tarantino worked well in the Allowance Optional Claiming. It paved the way to earn his ticket at the Holy Bull Stakes, where he landed in second place.
The Great One
Completing this year’s list of dangerous horses that will vie for the 2021 Kentucky Derby is The Great One. He was the sixth placer during the Speakeasy Stakes while a second placer at the Los Alamitos Futurity. On March 6, he’s ready to saddle at the San Felipe Stakes to generate needed points in the Derby trials.
Takeaway
All horses joining this year’s Kentucky Derby are building a stronger form as the competition gets closer. While there are already huge contenders dominating some notable Derby trails, the horses above are on their way to shine. As such, get guided with these ten colts aiming to compete in the Run For The Roses as one of them might win successfully.
