UPDATE: Here is the 2013 Kentucky Derby live stream. Watch it online!
The latest developments out of Churchill Downs bode well for all contenders except Black Onyx. The three-year old colt was scratched from scorecards today narrowing the field down to 19 very capable equines. After an initial inconclusive x-ray on Black Onyx , a second x-ray confirmed the pony suffered a chip fracture in its left ankle. The 2013 Kentucky Derby Date is set for tomorrow and the full list of horses running in the Derby is below.
Black Onyx entered the Derby with a lifetime record of 5-3-1-0 with his latest victory coming back in March at the Spiral Stakes at Turfway Park. Coming in third at this race was fellow Derby contender Giant Finish. To be jockeyed by Joe Bravo and part of the Sterling Racing team, Black Onyx compiled earnings to date of $407,810.
Check Out Black Onyx Cruising at Churchill Downs on April 27:
Black Onyx rode his Spiral Stakes momentum into the Run for the Roses, but Derby experts didn’t feel he had the pedigree and stamina to take home another win. All of us, after all, are victims of our own genetic heritage.
Race alternate Fear the Kitten was poised to take any vacant spot but unfortunately Black Onyx’s scratch came after the entry deadline, leaving Fear the Kitten out to dry. Fear the Kitten actually entered the race with a better record than Black Onyx, posting a 7-2-1-1 record to date. Experts agree that Fear’s positives and negatives were interestingly quite the opposite of Onyx’s, having a stellar pedigree and experience on a dirt track, but lacking the adequate speed and stamina to hang in with the top ponies.
While a narrower field is likely to change the odds somewhat, it likely won’t be drastic. Fear the Kitten wasn’t even given odds by veteran Churchill Downs linemaker Mike Battaglia, and Black Onyx was a 50-1 long shot.
Black Onyx’s post, position one, will remain open for the Derby.
Here is the full list of Kentucky Derby horses and Jockey’s competing in this year’s Kentucky Derby.
1. OPEN
2. Oxbow- Gary Stevens
3. Revolutionary- Calvin Borel
4. Golden Soul- Robby Albarado
5. Normandy Invasion- Javier Castellano
6. Mylute- Rosie Napravnik
7. Giant Finish- Jose Espinoza
8. Goldencents- Kevin Krigger
9. Overanalyze- Rafael Bejarano
10. Palace Malice- Mike Smith
11. Lines of Battle- Ryan Moore
12. Itsmyluckyday- Elvis Trujillo
13. Falling Sky- Louis Saez
14. Verrazano- Joel Velazquez
15. Charming Kitten- Edgar Prado
16. Orb- Joel Rosario
17. Will Take Charge- John Court
18. Frac Daddy- Victor Lebron
19. Java’s War- Julien Leparoux
20. Vyjack- Garrett Gomez
I’m looking to hear from some Kentucky Derby fans, general racing fans, and gamblers alike. How will Black Onyx’s late scratch affect the most exciting two minutes in sports? Will a narrower field by one horse change how trainers and jockeys prepare for the race? Leave us your thoughts in the comments section below.
