The 152nd Kentucky Derby is considered exceptionally wide open, with no clear favorite among the twenty horses, a sentiment echoed by veteran racecaller Larry Collmus.
Renegade, trained by Todd Pletcher, opened as the 4-1 favorite but drew the challenging No. 1 post position, from which no horse has won the Derby since Ferdinand in 1986.
Other strong contenders include Brad Cox’s Commandment and Further Ado, and Bill Mott’s Chief Wallabee, with trainers suggesting at least half a dozen horses have a legitimate chance to win.
The field features talent from various regions, including Florida, California, and Arkansas, and a strong Japanese presence with Danon Bourbon and Wonder Dean, though the country is still seeking its first Derby win.
Experts note the absence of a "super horse" capable of sweeping the Triple Crown this year, and there are ongoing discussions about the Preakness Stakes' schedule potentially changing to attract more horses.
IN FULL
Wide-open Kentucky Derby leaves experts struggling to pick favorite
