2020 Kentucky Derby Study Guide

Sep 02, 2020 J. Keeler Johnson

On Saturday at Churchill Downs, 18 talented 3-year-old Thoroughbreds will vie for victory in the $3 million Kentucky Derby (G1). The 146th renewal of the historic 1 1/4-mile race is shaping up to be an exciting event with Tiz the Law looming as a formidable favorite.

Let's meet the full field:

Finnick the Fierce

Total 9 start(s)
Wins: 2
Place: 1
Show: 2

Owner: Arnaldo Monge and Rey Hernandez
Breeder: Paige Jillian Blu Sky Stables
Trainer: Rey Hernandez
Jockey: Martin Garcia

Top Speed Rating: (97) when finishing third in the Arkansas Derby (G1).
Total Earnings: $191,290

Sire: Dialed In
Dam: Southern Classic
Color: Chestnut

A capable late runner, Finnick the Fierce showed an affinity for Churchill Downs when rallying to finish second in the 2019 Kentucky Jockey Club (G2), a head in front of Kentucky Derby favorite Tiz the Law. Finnick the Fierce has continued to compete respectably against tough company this season, but the son of Dialed In lost his right eye at an early age and won’t be able to see his rivals while breaking from the rail at Churchill Downs.
Max Player

Total 5 start(s)
Wins: 2
Place: 1
Show: 2

Owner: George E. Hall and SportBLX Thoroughbreds Corp.
Breeder: K & G Stables
Trainer: Steve Asmussen
Jockey: Ricardo Santana

Top Speed Rating: (107) when finishing third in the Travers (G1).
Total Earnings: $373,500

Sire: Honor Code
Dam: Fools in Love
Color: Dark bay/brown

Formerly conditioned by Linda Rice, Max Player is set to make his debut for Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen. Fresh off third-place efforts in the Belmont Stakes (G1) and Travers (G1), Max Player has improved his Brisnet Speed ratings with every start and figures to be a threat from off the pace on Saturday.
Enforceable

Total 10 start(s)
Wins: 2
Place: 2
Show: 2

Owner: John C. Oxley
Breeder: Clearsky Farms
Trainer: Mark Casse
Jockey: Adam Beschizza

Top Speed Rating: (95) when finishing fourth in the Blue Grass (G2).
Total Earnings: $397,150

Sire: Tapit
Dam: Justwhistledixie
Color: Gray/roan

A sibling to three long-winded graded stakes winners, Enforceable is bred to thrive running 1 1/4 miles and is training forwardly in advance of the Derby. Winner of the Lecomte (G3) during the winter at Fair Grounds, Enforceable recently returned from a 3 1/2-month layoff to finish fourth in the Blue Grass (G2) and should show improvement while tackling the long homestretch at Churchill Downs.
Storm the Court

Total 9 start(s)
Wins: 2
Place: 1
Show: 3

Owner: David A. Bernsen, Exline-Border Racing, Dan Hudock, and Susanna Wilson
Breeder: Stepping Stone Farm
Trainer: Peter Eurton
Jockey: Julien Leparoux

Top Speed Rating: (102) when prevailing in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1).
Total Earnings: $1,310,451

Sire: Court Vision
Dam: My Tejana Storm
Color: Bay

A gate-to-wire winner of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1), Storm the Court was voted champion 2-year-old male of 2019 but has since suffered five straight defeats. The son of 2011 Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) winner Court Vision did show improvement when switching to turf for the La Jolla H. (G3) at Del Mar, but he nevertheless settled for second prize and will need improvement when returning to dirt for the Kentucky Derby.
Major Fed

Total 6 start(s)
Wins: 1
Place: 2
Show: 1

Owner: Lloyd Madison Farms IV
Breeder: Lloyd Madison IV
Trainer: Greg Foley
Jockey: James Graham

Top Speed Rating: (99) when finishing second in the Indiana Derby (G3).
Total Earnings: $215,600

Sire: Ghostzapper
Dam: Bobby’s Babe
Color: Dark bay/brown

Although Major Fed has shown flashes of tactical speed in the past, this son of 2004 Horse of the Year Ghostzapper appears most comfortable as a deep closer. He produced a career-best 99 Brisnet Speed rating when rallying wide to finish second in the Indiana Derby (G3), and with 8 1/2 weeks of rest leading up to the Derby, he should enter the starting gate fresh and ready to roll.
King Guillermo

Total 5 start(s)
Wins: 2
Place: 1
Show: 1

Owner: Victoria Martinez
Breeder: Carhue Investments, Grouseridge, and Marengo Investments
Trainer: Juan Avila
Jockey: Samy Camacho

Top Speed Rating: (102) when romping to victory in the Tampa Bay Derby (G2).
Total Earnings: $340,350

Sire: Uncle Mo
Dam: Slow Sand
Color: Bay

Although the Tampa Bay Derby (G2) winner hasn’t run since finishing second in a division of the May 2 Arkansas Derby (G1), he’s been training up a storm in recent months, cranking out fast workouts like clockwork. King Guillermo appears to be thriving over the Churchill Downs main track, so expect the son of Uncle Mo to flash some serious speed while breaking inside his other main pace rivals.
Money Moves

Total 3 start(s)
Wins: 2
Place: 1
Show: 0

Owner: Robert V. LaPenta and Bortolazzo Stable
Breeder: Whitehall Lane Farm
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Jockey: Javier Castellano

Top Speed Rating: (100) when finishing second in a Saratoga allowance race.
Total Earnings: $67,400

Sire: Candy Ride
Dam: Citizen Advocate
Color: Bay

The first horse in years to enter the Kentucky Derby without previously competing in a stakes race, Money Moves has nevertheless shown promise for two-time Kentucky Derby-winning trainer Todd Pletcher. After winning his first two starts in comfortable fashion, Money Moves returned from a 4-month break to rally and finish second in a 1 1/8-mile allowance race at Saratoga, beaten a neck by the graded stakes-placed 5-year-old Prioritize. Money Moves is stepping up sharply in class for the Derby, but his improving Brisnet speed ratings suggest he can be competitive.
South Bend

Total 12 start(s)
Wins: 3
Place: 2
Show: 2

Owner: Gary Barber, Wachtel Stable, Peter Deutsch, and Pantofel Stable
Breeder: Highclere
Trainer: Bill Mott
Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione

Top Speed Rating: (105) when finishing fourth in the Travers (G1).
Total Earnings: $390,114

Sire: Algorithms
Dam: Sandra’s Rose
Color: Bay

Winner of the Street Sense S. at Churchill Downs last fall, South Bend is a battle-tested veteran with 10 consecutive stakes starts under his belt. A capable performer on both dirt and turf, South Bend never challenged Tiz the Law when finishing fourth in the Travers (G1), but he was only beaten four lengths for the runner-up spot. Trained by Bill Mott, who won the 2019 Kentucky Derby with Country House, this deep-closing colt would appreciate a fast pace on Saturday.
Mr. Big News

Total 7 start(s)
Wins: 2
Place: 1
Show: 0

Owner: Allied Racing Stable
Breeder: Don Alberto Corporation
Trainer: Bret Calhoun
Jockey: Gabriel Saez

Top Speed Rating: (96) when winning the Oaklawn S.
Total Earnings: $168,553

Sire: Giant’s Causeway
Dam: Unappeased
Color: Bay

Stoutly-bred son of Giant’s Causeway capitalized on a blazing pace to rally and win the Oaklawn S. during the spring at Oaklawn Park, but he ran only evenly in the Blue Grass (G2) three months later, essentially splitting the field to finish sixth. A last-minute addition to the Kentucky Derby field, Mr. Big News is actually bred to excel on turf, but he’s nevertheless a candidate to come running late if the Derby pace is fast.
Thousand Words

Total 7 start(s)
Wins: 4
Place: 1
Show: 0

Owner: Albaugh Family Stables and Spendthrift Farm
Breeder: Hardacre Farm
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Jockey: Florent Geroux

Top Speed Rating: (104) when upsetting the Shared Belief S.
Total Earnings: $327,000

Sire: Pioneerof the Nile
Dam: Pomeroys Pistol
Color: Bay

The most expensive runner in the Derby field, Thousand Words sold for $1 million as a yearling and has rewarded his connections with a trio of stakes wins. A versatile colt capable of winning with a variety of running styles, Thousand Words posted a career-best 104 Brisnet Speed rating when wiring the Shared Belief S. at Del Mar, which means he’ll bring improving form into the toughest test of his career.
Necker Island

Total 10 start(s)
Wins: 2
Place: 0
Show: 3

Owner: Raymond Daniels, Wayne Scherr, and Will Harbut Racing
Breeder: Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings
Trainer: Chris Hartman
Jockey: Miguel Mena

Top Speed Rating: (98) when finishing third in the Indiana Derby (G3).
Total Earnings: $199,730

Sire: Hard Spun
Dam: Jenny’s Rocket
Color: Chestnut

Claimed in June for $100,000, Necker Island has been a rousing success for his new connections, finishing third in the Indiana Derby (G3) and Ellis Park Derby to earn a spot in the Kentucky Derby starting gate. But racing 1 1/4 miles might push the limits of Necker Island’s stamina, considering he’s weakened from the eighth pole to the finish line in all five of his starts running 1 1/16 miles or further.
Sole Volante

Total 7 start(s)
Wins: 4
Place: 1
Show: 1

Owner: Reeves Thoroughbred Racing and Andie Biancone
Breeder: Flaxman Holdings
Trainer: Patrick Biancone
Jockey: Luca Panici

Top Speed Rating: (102) when rallying to victory in the Sam F. Davis (G3).
Total Earnings: $323,310

Sire: Karakontie
Dam: Light Blow
Color: Bay

Although Sole Volante never fired when finishing sixth behind Tiz the Law in the Belmont Stakes (G1), there are reasons to believe this son of Karakontie can show improvement in the Kentucky Derby. Bred to be a turf star, Karakontie figures to favor the conditions at Churchill Downs more than the sandy track at Belmont Park. He’s also been freshened and brings a series of fast workouts to the mix, suggesting this stretch-running gelding can rebound to the form of his impressive Sam F. Davis (G3) triumph.
Attachment Rate

Total 8 start(s)
Wins: 1
Place: 3
Show: 1

Owner: Jim Bakke and Gerald Isbister
Breeder: Mr. and Mrs. C. Oliver Iselin III
Trainer: Dale Romans
Jockey: Joe Talamo

Top Speed Rating: (98) when finishing second in the Ellis Park Derby.
Total Earnings: $143,732

Sire: Hard Spun
Dam: Aristra
Color: Chestnut

A consistent colt who has finished fifth or better in five consecutive stakes races, Attachment Rate displayed improved tactical speed when overcoming a wide draw to finish second in the Ellis Park Derby. Conditioned by Dale Romans, who ranks among the most successful trainers in Churchill Downs history, Attachment Rate boasts improving Brisnet Speed ratings, but needs another step forward to contend in the Kentucky Derby.
Winning Impression

Total 9 start(s)
Wins: 1
Place: 1
Show: 2

Owner: West Point Thoroughbreds and Pearl Racing
Breeder: WinStar Farm
Trainer: Dallas Stewart
Jockey: Joe Rocco

Top Speed Rating: (91) when finishing third in the first division of the Arkansas Derby (G1).
Total Earnings: $98,552

Sire: Paynter
Dam: Unbridled Sonya
Color: Gray/roan

Though Winning Impression enters the Kentucky Derby off seventh-place efforts in the Blue Grass (G2) and Ellis Park Derby, trainer Dallas Stewart is no stranger to saddling live longshots in the Run for the Roses. Few handicappers believed Golden Soul (2013) and Commanding Curve (2014) could contend in their respective Kentucky Derbys, yet both rallied to finish second. Having crossed the wire first in a pair of races over sloppy tracks, Winning Impression would benefit from wet going on Derby Day.
Ny Traffic

Total 9 start(s)
Wins: 2
Place: 3
Show: 2

Owner: John Fanelli, Cash is King, LC Racing, and Paul Braverman
Breeder: Brian Culnan
Trainer: Saffie Joseph
Jockey: Paco Lopez

Top Speed Rating: (107) when finishing second in the Haskell (G1).
Total Earnings: $565,470

Sire: Cross Traffic
Dam: Mamie Reilly
Color: Gray/roan

After finishing second or third in a quartet of Road to the Kentucky Derby prep races, Ny Traffic has established his place among the best 3-year-olds in training. He ran a particularly gutsy race in the Haskell (G1), charging hard down the stretch to finish second by a nose against uncontested leader Authentic. But Ny Traffic seems hesitant to pass horses when it counts, and he’ll have to develop a winning instinct if he hopes to wear the roses on Saturday.
Honor A. P.

Total 5 start(s)
Wins: 2
Place: 3
Show: 0

Owner: C R K Stable
Breeder: George Krikorian
Trainer: John Shirreffs
Jockey: Mike Smith

Top Speed Rating: (108) when rallying to victory in the Santa Anita Derby (G1).
Total Earnings: $382,200

Sire: Honor Code
Dam: Hollywood Story
Color: Dark bay/brown

An impressive son of champion Honor Code, Honor A. P. combines tactical speed with finishing power and hasn’t missed the exacta in five starts. Racing for trainer John Shirreffs and jockey Mike Smith, who upset the 2005 Kentucky Derby with 50-1 shot Giacomo, Honor A. P. fired off a strong 108 Brisnet Speed rating when defeating Authentic by daylight in the Santa Anita Derby (G1). He wasn’t cranked for a peak performance when finishing second in the Shared Belief S., but Honor A. P. has trained strongly since then and should bounce back with a big effort in the Derby.
Tiz the Law

Total 7 start(s)
Wins: 6
Place: 0
Show: 1

Owner: Sackatoga Stable
Breeder: Twin Creeks Farm
Trainer: Barclay Tagg
Jockey: Manny Franco

Top Speed Rating: (115) when dominating the Travers (G1).
Total Earnings: $2,015,300

Sire: Constitution
Dam: Tizfiz
Color: Bay

Four-time Grade 1 winner looms as the heaviest Kentucky Derby favorite in decades after dominating the Florida Derby (G1), Belmont Stakes (G1), and Travers (G1) as part of a 4-for-4 season. He’s already proven over the 1 1/4-mile distance of the Kentucky Derby, crushing the Travers by 5 1/2 lengths with a massive 115 Brisnet Speed rating, and his subsequent workouts have been eye-catching. Barclay Tagg and Sackatoga Stable teamed up to win the 2003 Kentucky Derby with Funny Cide, and thanks to Tiz the Law, they seem destined to smell the roses again.
Authentic

Total 5 start(s)
Wins: 4
Place: 1
Show: 0

Owner: Spendthrift Farm, MyRaceHorse Stable, Madaket Stables, and Starlight Racing
Breeder: Peter E. Blum Thoroughbreds
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Jockey: John Velazquez

Top Speed Rating: (107) when winning the Haskell (G1).
Total Earnings: $1,011,200

Sire: Into Mischief
Dam: Flawless
Color: Bay

With his 4-for-5 record and three graded stakes wins, it’s safe to say Authentic has thrived under the care of five-time Kentucky Derby-winning trainer Bob Baffert. A speedy front-runner, Authentic’s lone defeat came when employing pressing tactics in the Santa Anita Derby (G1), so expect the son of Into Mischief to come out running in an effort to set the pace. But breaking from post 18 could make this difficult, and Authentic’s all-out effort to win the 1 1/8-mile Haskell (G1) raises some questions about his ability to handle 1 1/4 miles.

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