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Charlie Riedel/Associated Press
Two undefeated horses (Essential Quality and Rock Your World) are the early favorites to win the 2021 Kentucky Derby. But it s not always a horse with strong odds that ends up winning the Run for the Roses.
There have been some dark horses that have raced to victory at Churchill Downs over the years, as several betting longshots became Derby champions. Perhaps that will be the case this year, as the race is set to be held next Saturday, opening the Triple Crown schedule.
The Kentucky Derby is back to being the first of the three marquee horse-racing events after it was second on the schedule last year. That s because the race got postponed to September because of the coronavirus pandemic. In 2021, it s once again behind held on the first Saturday in May.
Churchill: 17 Oaks, Derby Hopefuls Log Final Breezes Sponsored by:
Known Agenda breezes inside Sainthood at Churchill Downs on Friday, April 23
On a cool Kentucky morning, a total of 17 Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks horses put in their final timed workouts before next weekend s editions of the $3 million Derby and $1.25 million Oaks.
The fastest move of the morning was a half-mile drill in :46.20 by Keepmeinmind, with Dynamic One, one of four Derby workers for Todd Pletcher, having the second-fastest clocking of the 108 at the distance in :47.80.
Other Derby workers for Pletcher were Bourbonic (half-mile in :49.60) and Known Agenda and Sainthood (five furlongs together in 1:01.
Ortiz Brothers Breeze KY Derby Mounts at Churchill bloodhorse.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from bloodhorse.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Louisville, Ky.
The name Phil Thomas does not appear in present-day past performances. The last race on his training record was run more than three years ago. His last winner was at the end of the summer of 2013. But something he said resonates to this day with horseplayers handicapping the Kentucky Derby.
“I bet if you looked at it,” he said, “horses that won the Derby came fast the last quarter-mile of their last prep.”
That was how Jennie Rees recalled a seminal conversation years ago with Thomas. Now a publicist for racetracks and a horsemen’s association, Rees back then was a respected turf writer for
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