Horse racing has been around for many centuries, and it’s still growing in popularity. In fact, this May 7, 2022, the best of the best three-year-old horses are running in one of the races in the Triple Crown. The winners of this race will proceed to the Preakness Stakes and, lastly, the Belmont Stakes.
With numerous horses in top condition today, it’s hard to pick just one favorite. This page compiles the top contenders that have the chance to win in the first race of the Triple Crown. Read on below to learn more about these horses!
Epicenter
Epicenter is the first pick on the list of top contenders for kentucky derby race! This colt made its debut on September 18, 2021, at Churchill Downs. Since then, Epicenter has continuously grown into a horse prepared to win this upcoming race in May; with the help of his trainer, Steve Asmussen.
Zandon
Zandon won the 2022 race in Toyota Blue Grass at Keeneland with his trusted jockey, Flavien Prat. The horse also came with its trainer Chad Brown. Brown has now won two victories in the Toyota Blue Grass. His first triumph was in 2018 with Good Magic. It was followed by his 2022 victory with Zandon, where the horse won by an impressive 2 ½ lengths on a muddy track.
Mo Donegal
Mo Donegal has won its way to this list due to its win in Saturday’s G2 Wood Memorial Stakes with a distance of 4 ½ furlongs. He has sufficient intensity and forces other horses into submission. This powerful horse was trained by Todd Pletcher, who has won two times in these derby races.
White Abarrio
White Abarrio, trained by Saffie Joseph, Jr., has moved up a few spots after his well-notable win in the G1 Florida Derby. In this race, he beat Simplification, Charge It, Classic Causeway, and many more! He shows that he has early speed but doesn’t need an early lead in the race to win. Indeed, White Abarrio is a horse that fans should look out for!
Tiz the Bomb
Tiz the Bomb has romped the race in the April 2 Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3). His trainer, Kenneth McPeek, says that this race was “ultra-impressive,” and the horse is capable of surpassing anything. Tiz the Bomb is a pedigree of Tiz the Key and Hit it a Bomb. This horse has been continuously learning and has outdone himself on turf or all-weather surfaces.
Cyberknife
Cyberknife is another horse trained by Brad Cox. He has earned his spot in the Kentucky Derby due to its win in the G1 Arkansas Derby. The horse had a clean trip and made the most of the race. With a cool name and a spectacular record, Cyberknife is another horse that you should look out for when watching the most awaited race. The horse has earned 100 Kentucky Derby points.
Simplification
Simplification is trained by Antonio Sano and owned by Tami Bobo. In the Florida Derby, Simplification finished third after White Abarrio and Charge It. We have high hopes for this horse since he won the G2 Fountain of Youth and won second in the G3 Holy Bull.
Taiba
Bred by Bruce Ryan in Kentucky, this unraced maiden less than seven weeks ago emerged as one of the Kentucky Derby favorites. Taiba topped Messier and the Forbidden Kingdom.
Barber Road
Except for his debut race, Barber Road has never run a bad race. In the Arkansas Derby, he earned his spot in second place after Cyberknife. Thus, earning enough points to run in the Kentucky Derby. Barber Road is owned by WSS Racing, LLC and trained by John Ortiz.
Zozos
Zozos has recently won second in the Louisiana Derby. Due to immense pressure and the grueling race, Epicenter has won the match, and Zozos is second. Still, he won enough points to secure a spot in the Kentucky Derby.
Indeed, the 1 3/16 mile race in the Louisiana Derby didn’t make the horse break a sweat. So, who knows what Zozos will achieve in the race this May 2022?
Charge It
Charge It has won its spot in the Florida Derby. As mentioned above, he can pace himself with White Abarrio and Simplification. Charge It has plenty of room for improvement, enabling him more than enough room for improvement.
Tawny Port
Tawny Port is trained by Brad Cox and well-loved by his owner, John Fort (from Peachtree Stable). In fact, in his race at the Turfway Park, Fort just wanted Tawny Port to win; rather than to think of the dirt test as a Derby preparation.
The Peachtree Stable has brought home the Derby through for three horses. Thus, we have high hopes for Tawny Port and its jockey, Florent Geroux.
In Conclusion
Be sure to secure a ticket to watch the race this May 2022 at the Churchill Downs! You surely won’t regret watching, placing a bet, and inviting your family and friends to watch with you. These majestic horses have so much potential and will surely surpass many expectations from eager and excited fans.
