Champion Essential Quality, left, edged Highly Motivated, right, to win the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes April 3 at Keeneland in what was the fastest race in the final stages on the 2021 Kentucky Derby trail. (Coady Photography)
It’s that time of year again! Spring has arrived, the 147th running of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve is just 2 1/2 weeks away, and we’re ready to dig into some deep data to find the next winner of the run for the roses.
The Kentucky Derby is a handicapping challenge unlike any other. It’s the only race in North America where bettors must choose between 20 lightly-raced 3-year-old Thoroughbreds traveling 1 1/4 miles, a distance few (if any) have tackled in the past.