Kentucky Derby

Michael Kipness, AKA “The Wizard”, a professional handicapper since 1986, analyzes the 20-horse field for Saturday’s 150th Kentucky Derby, designating each horse as a Contender or a Pretender.

• Post Date: April 30, 2024

The 150th Kentucky Derby will be run May 4, 2024, at Churchill Downs. Every year this race draws the interest and attention of millions of casual racing fans.  Why? Because only the winner has a chance to earn the coveted Triple Crown. The race asks three-year-old colts and geldings to travel a 10-furlong distance of ground while racing in and among the largest field each will ever face. But beyond these two aforementioned factors, the Kentucky Derby is just another Thoroughbred race. And every edition of the Kentucky Derby should be handicapped in the same way one would handicap every or any other Thoroughbred race. Let’s examine this 150th Kentucky Derby and focus on handicapping this race in the same way as any other race from the perspective of Field Size, Pace and Race Dynamics, Speed, Gears and Wagering.

• Post Date: April 25, 2024

ARCANGELO Saved ground from the start while tugging hard on the reigns in the early going.

• Post Date: June 14, 2023

NATIONAL TREASURE was the dominant speed from his inside post

• Post Date: May 21, 2023

MAGE made a sustained run from the ¼ pole to the finish line showing several gears under a brilliant and perfectly timed ride by Javier Castellano.

• Post Date: May 9, 2023

A stirring 3-horse stretch battle resulted in a blanket finish

• Post Date: April 10, 2023

TAPIT TRICE won the Grade 1 Bluegrass fair and square as the 6-5 favorite.

• Post Date: April 10, 2023

PRACTICAL MOVE made it 3 wins in a row with a game and perfect trip win

• Post Date: April 10, 2023

With the exception of the winner ANGEL OF EMPIRE, I’m not interested in any other horse out of the Arkansas Derby as a potential Kentucky Derby contender.

• Post Date: April 2, 2023