The long wait is over for all Kentucky Derby fans, as this horse racing competition will be back by May 1, 2021. It is the 146th celebration of the Run For The Roses, which will highlight another twenty toughest three-year-old colts on earth. The Derby is launching the Triple Crown this season, succeeded by Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes. 

Last year, the Kentucky Derby was about to face suspension when the pandemic started. But, Churchill Downs Incorporated had made an effort to push through the event. With an awkward placement as the middle jewel, the Derby initiated last October with a limited audience hailing Bob Baffert’s Authentic as the winner. 

With its return today back to its original stationing, the Derby is ready to feature another breed of three-year-old racehorses. As you look forward to the Kentucky Derby horse race to start in the second quarter of this year, here are the top five horses who got the best odds and are poised to win in the 2021 Run For The Roses. 

Essential Quality (8-1)

Essential Quality is the favorite to win the Kentucky Derby in 2021

From the genes and blood of Delightful Quality and Elusive Quality, Essential Quality has taken over the lead of the most loved horse to win the Derby today.  Owned and bred by Godolphin LLC, Essential Quality is an entry by Luis Saez and Brad H. Cox. He presently accomplished three racing games earning $1, 335, 144.

On September 5, 2020, Essential Quality dazzled in his first Maiden Special Weight at Churchill Downs and won right away. That said, he earned his first stakes races recognition during the Breeders’ Futurity as the titleholder. A month after, he grappled at the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, impressing all the fans leading him to bring home the bacon. 

Life Is Good (8-1)

Of course, Bob Baffert is not drawing away from the Kentucky Derby this year. As stated, Authentic won last year’s race, where he trained him. It made him the best racehorse trainer in today’s generation and goes back to the Churchill Downs this year with Life Is Good. This colt is ridden by Mike E. Smith.

Owned by CHC Inc and WinStar Farm LLC, Life Is Good has accomplished two racing games since birth.  He recently conquered the Sham Stakes title held last January 2, 2021, at Santa Anita. Today, he sits next to Essential Quality as the best horse to win the Derby. However, Life Is Good still needs to pass trails to boost his lines and odds. 

Caddo River (12-1)

The recently concluded Smarty Jones Stakes winner, Caddo River, had caught the attention of the horse racing community. During this competition at Oaklawn Park held last January 22, 2021, Caddo River had bested other racehorses by showing unstoppable speed, starting at the gate until the finish line.

He had not shown any signs of slowing, nailing an impression that he’s ready for the Derby. Caddo River is a three-year-old colt owned and bred byShortleaf Stable LLC. He is under the supervision of Florent Geroux and Brad H. Cox.  Besides, he has already made four racing finishes since birth earning $166, 092.

Risk Taking (15-1)

Does Risk Taking have a chance at the upset in the Kentucky Derby?

Klaravich Stables  Inc is making another entry to the Kentucky Derby this year through Risk Taking. He is trained by Chad C. Brown and ridden by Eric Cancel. Risk Taking started working out last October but was unsuccessful in his first two Maiden Special Weight tries. In his third attempt last December at Aqueduct, he successfully made it. 

That said, he stayed on the same racetrack, competing for the Withers Stakes last February 6, 2021. Risk Taking performed well during this competition and won the title without looking back.  As of now, he doesn’t have any upcoming entries, but he’s indeed joining the upcoming trails to improve his lines and earn the needed Derby-qualifying points. 

Greatest Honour  (15-1)

Like Risk Taking, Greatest Honour has too many attempts in the Maiden Special Weight. He got only successful in his fourth try last December at Gulfstream Park. With this victory, Greatest Honour decided to join the Holy Bull Stakes last January 30, 2021, and surprised the crowd as he won the race right away. 

This colt is an entry of Jose L. Ortiz and Claude R. McGaughey  III, who has made five racing games since birth. He had no scheduled upcoming races yet but looking into his form, Greatest Honour has currently earned $175, 240. 

Final Thoughts

There is no turning back for the new set of three-year-old horses who bid a run for this Kentucky Derby.  As stated, there is only a maximum of twenty horses allowed to run in the Churchill Downs dirt track. These horses don’t earn their berth easily as they need to obtain qualifying points by participating in the trails.

With only two more months remaining before the 146th Run For The Roses, get guided by the horses mentioned above and see how they will make their Kentucky Derby journey this season.

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