There’s plenty of excitement as the field shapes up for the 2021 ‘Run for the Roses.”
On May 1, 2021, the Churchill Downs will commence its 146th edition of the Kentucky Derby. It will highlight another batch of three-year-old colts who made significant achievements both in the auto-qualifying Derby games as well as the trails. It is expected the horses who took part in the Breeders’ Cup last year will be present.
Although any three-year-old colt can bid their interest in participating in the Derby this year, they should earn points to help them secure a spot. Every year, the Run for the Roses allows a maximum of twenty horses to compete inside the race track– unless there are horses who get injured or backs out of the competition on racing day, then the number is reduced.
As you anticipate this year’s Kentucky Derby and look forward to wagering on the nose who will run this May, you must be guided with the possible runners who might vie for the title. Let’s meet some of the colts who bid their slate to the Derby in the next two months.
Hidden Stash
The sire of Making Mark Money will take a chance in the Kentucky Derby this year. He made five racing accomplishments since his debut and recently won the Allowance Optional Claiming last November. This February, he took part in the Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay, where he landed in third place.
Mandaloun
A Juddmonte Farm product, which is Mandaloun, will head on to the trails and eventually in the Run For The Roses. Trained by Brad H. Cox, he will contend this week at the Risen Star Stakes. Last January, he attended the Lecomte Stakes, where he took home third place.
Prime Factor
Prime Factor started working out last January 30, 2021, by winning third place at Holy Bull Stakes. He is the sire of Haylie Bred, which Two Hearts Farm LLC breeds. Prime Factor has gained two horse racing starts since birth, ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr. and trained by Todd A. Pletcher.
Hold The Salsa
Hold The Salsa was foaled in April 2018 to Northern Mambo. In 2020, he participated in many racing games and won two titles from the Bertram F. Bongard Stakes and New York Stallion Series. Besides, his other achievements include Saratoga Special Stakes (9th), Funny Cide Stakes (5th), Sleepy Hollow Stakes (4th), and Jerome Stakes (3rd).
Big Thorn
Steven Asmussen is not missing the Kentucky Derby this year as he got Big Thorn to tap on. This colt earned his first title during the Juvenile Turf Stakes last November. In January, he participated in the Mucho Macho Man Stakes and landed in 6th place. After that, he bounced back at the Smarty Jones, where he got third place.
Parnelli
The son of Quality Road, Parnelli is taking his chance to the Kentucky Derby this year. He is an entry by John A. Shirreffs and has made six racing games since birth. A day after the New Year, he attended the Sham Stakes and gained third place. After that, he tried his luck at the Robert B. Lewis Stakes, where he garnered 5th place.
Pickin’ Time
Taking two major titles last year, the Smoke Golden Stakes and Nashua Stakes, Pickin’ Time is having a good time participating in the upcoming Kentucky Derby. Before earning the said titles, he got 8th place at Saratoga Special Stakes while 2nd at the Sapling Stakes. This January, Pickin’ Time joined the Remsen Stakes and Mucho Macho Man Stakes, where he landed both in 4th place.
Red Flag
Not a violation, but Red Flag got his name from his sire, who is Surrender. He is another entry by John A. Shirreffs, who presently holds the Bob Hope Stakes title. After he won, he did another stint at the Los Alamitos Futurity but settled in fourth place.
Papetu
Papetu, who recently placed 4th at the Holy Bull Stakes, is also heading to Churchill Downs this May. Before winning his recent placement, he saddled at the Mucho Macho Man Stakes, where he garnered second place. Last year, Papetu won two races: the Saratoga Special Stakes (6th) and Hopeful Stakes (5th).
Santa Cruiser
After making four racing starts since birth, Santa Cruiser will head on to the Kentucky Derby this year. He recently got 4th place at Lecomte Stakes. This week, he’s working out for the Risen Star Stakes to boost his points.
Moonlite Strike
This Smarty Jones Stakes fourth placer is heading to the Derby without second thoughts. He is an entry by Safie A. Joseph Jr. and ridden by Ramon A. Vazquez. Moreover, he has already made four racing games since birth.
What’s the Takeaway?
In less than two months, the Churchill Downs will once again be filled with horse racing enthusiasts cheering for the newest breed of all-three-year-old colts. Not only that, bettors will get more chances of earning big when wagering for this horse racing tournament.
Keep an eye on the horses we handicapped. The odds are good that one of them will emerge as this year’s Kentucky Derby superstar!
