For many in the horse world, the first Saturday in May is considered a holiday. For those in horse racing, it can only mean one thing: Kentucky Derby Day. It’s the race that every person in the racing industry dreams of winning, and for horse people, it’s probably the race that everyday people in your life reach out to ask which horse is your pick. And if you don’t have a Derby horse yet, don’t worry—we’re taking a look at every horse in the 2025 Kentucky Derby so you can have your pick by the time you’ve finished reading.

The 2025 Kentucky Derby Field

The exciting part about the Kentucky Derby—or any horse race, for that matter—is that any horse that leaves the starting gate can win. The favorite may seem like the obvious pick, but the post-time favorite has not won the Run for the Roses since eventual Triple Crown winner Justify in 2018. In fact, the odds of the official Kentucky Derby winner in the six runnings since 2018 has averaged 35.85-to-1.

Let’s take a look at each horse in the 2025 Kentucky Derby, organized by post position and listed with their morning line odds. With rain in the forecast for Saturday, there are also notes about each horse’s sloppy track aptitude.

1. Citizen Bull (20-1)
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Jockey: Martin Garcia
Race Record: 6 starts: 4 wins, 0 seconds, 1 third
Career Earnings: $1,451,000

Last year’s Champion Two-Year-Old Male after winning the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1), Citizen Bull has not quite replicated his two-year-old form. Though he started the year with a romp in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G3), he finished fourth of five last out in the Santa Anita Derby (G1) in a race won by morning line favorite Journalism. The rail position is not doing him any favors, either. He seems like a horse that wants the lead to himself, but such a position is not so easy to obtain in the Derby. When he’s at his best, he’s one of the most talented in the field, but he does not seem to have matured on the same level as others in this field.

Sloppy Track Potential: Citizen Bull has only raced on a fast track, but he is a son of leading sire Into Mischief, who has had many offspring succeed on a wet track.

2. Neoequos (30-1)
Trainer: Saffie Joseph, Jr.
Jockey: Luis Saez
Race Record: 7 starts: 2 wins, 2 seconds, 2 thirds
Career Earnings: $291,050

Likely to go off at high odds on Saturday, Neoequos has twice been defeated by fellow contender Sovereignty. He’s a horse that appears to want a shorter distance, having been caught in both of his lifetime races over one mile. The 1 ¼-mile distance of the Derby does not seem to be one where he will thrive.

Sloppy Track Potential: Neoequos won his first start of the year on a sloppy track, so track conditions shouldn’t be an issue for him.

3. Final Gambit (30-1)
Trainer: Brad Cox
Jockey: Luan Machado
Race Record: 4 starts: 2 wins, 1 second, 1 third
Career Earnings: $520,639

A last out winner of the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3), which is contested on a synthetic surface, Final Gambit has never made a start on traditional dirt. He’s also faced lesser company than most competitors here, and though he stepped it up in the Jeff Ruby, this is still a big jump in class for him.

Sloppy Track Potential: Having only run on synthetic and turf surfaces, dirt will be an entirely new racing experience for Final Gambit—let alone a sloppy track. However, his sire, Not This Time, achieved the biggest win of his career on a muddy track—at Churchill Downs no less.

4. Rodriguez: SCRATCHED

5. American Promise (30-1)
Trainer: D. Wayne Lukas
Jockey: Nik Juarez
Race Record: 9 starts: 2 wins, 1 second, 1 third
Career Earnings: $444,874

It took American Promise six tries to break his maiden and though he was a runaway winner of the black-type Virginia Derby last out, he was off the board in his two starts against graded stakes company. Long shots have thrived in recent runnings of the Kentucky Derby, but this one would be a surprise.

Sloppy Track Potential: American Promise broke his maiden on a muddy track, but earlier in his career, one of his worst-ever efforts came over a sloppy track.

6. Admire Daytona (30-1)
Trainer: Yukihiro Kato
Jockey: Christophe Lemaire
Race Record: 6 starts: 2 wins, 2 seconds, 0 thirds
Career Earnings: $672,047

One of two Japanese-based runners, Admire Daytona narrowly won the UAE Derby (G2) in his last start after leading throughout. He’s yet another that will be fighting for the lead, so he will need to be able to handle the pace pressure. Admire Daytona has proven to have some fight in him, though, and he’ll need to use that weapon in the Derby.

Sloppy Track Potential: Admire Daytona’s racing debut was contested on a muddy track, in which he finished fourth. It seems as though the slop will neither help nor harm his chances.

7. Luxor Cafe (15-1)
Trainer: Noriyuki Hori
Jockey: Joao Moreira
Race Record: 6 starts: 4 wins, 1 second, 0 thirds
Career Earnings: $379,057

A son of Triple Crown winner American Pharoah, Luxor Cafe is the strongest of the two Japanese contenders. Winner of his last four starts, including a runaway win in the Fukuryu Stakes, Luxor Cafe has posted some of the most impressive speed figures of this field. This is the toughest competition he’ll have faced, but he certainly has talent.

Sloppy Track Potential: In his second-ever start, Luxor Cafe was only a neck away from winning on a muddy track.

8. Journalism (3-1)
Trainer: Mike McCarthy
Jockey: Umberto Rispoli
Race Record: 5 starts: 4 wins, 0 seconds, 1 third
Career Earnings: $638,880

Meet Journalism, the morning line favorite for the 2025 Kentucky Derby. He has won four straight races, including the Santa Anita Derby (G1) last out, and has some of the best speed figures in the group. It’s tough to find a knock against him, though an obvious point is that he has been facing small fields—which certainly won’t be the case in the Derby. But on ability alone, Journalism is a formidable favorite.

Sloppy Track Potential: Journalism has only raced on a fast track, which could be a concern for the Derby favorite on a sloppy track. However, his sire Curlin won the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) on a very sloppy track in one of his best lifetime performances.

9. Burnham Square (12-1)
Trainer: Ian Wilkes
Jockey: Brian Hernandez, Jr.
Race Record: 6 starts: 3 wins, 1 second, 1 third
Career Earnings: $977,755

Burnham Square was the game winner of the Blue Grass Stakes (G1) in his final Kentucky Derby prep, in which he overcame a poor trip. This bodes well for the traffic troubles most horses face in the Derby. From a speed figure perspective, he’ll need to step it up a bit, but he could be worth a look.

Sloppy Track Potential: Another horse that has only ever experienced fast tracks, Burnham Square’s pedigree does not provide much insight into how he may fare in the mud.

10. Grande: SCRATCHED

11. Flying Mohawk (30-1)
Trainer: Whit Beckman
Jockey: Joseph Ramos
Race Record: 6 starts: 2 wins, 2 seconds, 0 thirds
Career Earnings: $295,800

Flying Mohawk was most recently second in the Jeff Ruby Steaks behind Final Gambit and, like that rival, Flying Mohawk has never raced on traditional dirt. He also has only faced company weaker than most of this field, and his speed figures don’t match up. This colt is likely to go off at very high odds.

Sloppy Track Potential: This will be Flying Mohawk’s first dirt start, let alone his first contest on a sloppy track. And with a primarily turf pedigree, it’s difficult to assume his wet track aptitude based on bloodlines.

12. East Avenue (20-1)
Trainer: Brendan Walsh
Jockey: Manuel Franco
Race Record: 5 starts: 2 wins, 1 second, 0 thirds
Career Earnings: $654,395

As a two-year-old, East Avenue looked like a top prospect until a lackluster performance in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. He’s never quite returned to his original form, the closest being his narrow second-place finish last out in the Blue Grass Stakes. It would require a huge jump in effort from East Avenue to cross the wire first.

Sloppy Track Potential: East Avenue has only ever raced on fast tracks, but offspring of Medaglia d’Oro typically don’t mind the mud.

13. Publisher (30-1)
Trainer: Steve Asmussen
Jockey: Irad Ortiz, Jr.
Race Record: 7 starts: 0 wins, 2 seconds, 3 thirds
Career Earnings: $407,756

Yes, it’s true—Publisher has never even won a race. Second behind Sandman in the Arkansas Derby (G1) last time, that was one of only two times the son of American Pharoah finished better than third. He’s training well, but this is a huge ask.

Sloppy Track Potential: Again, Publisher has never won a race, but he did finish a decent third on a sloppy track as a two-year-old.

14. Tiztastic (20-1)
Trainer: Steve Asmussen
Jockey: Joel Rosario
Race Record: 8 starts: 3 wins, 1 second, 2 thirds
Career Earnings: $1,549,800

The more accomplished trainee of Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen, Tiztastic is entering the Kentucky Derby off a win in the Louisiana Derby (G2). However, he has not been the most consistent horse, with his last win prior to that coming as far back as the Kentucky Downs Juvenile Mile Stakes last September. In the losses between those victories, he’s finished behind many rivals here, including Sovereignty, Sandman, and Coal Battle. He does seem to thrive with distance, though, and his off-the-pace running style may best fit the makeup of this field.

Sloppy Track Potential: Tiztastic has no sloppy track experience, and his pedigree provides little insight as to how he may like it.

15. Render Judgment (30-1)
Trainer: Kenny McPeek
Jockey: Julien Leparoux
Race Record: 7 starts: 1 win, 2 seconds, 1 third
Career Earnings: $250,672

Though trained by last year’s winning conditioner in Kenny McPeek, Render Judgment has not won a race since breaking his maiden in October 2024. That race did come over the Churchill Downs surface, but he has faltered against several rivals here and has never hit the board in graded stakes company. He will likely go into the starting gate with some of the highest odds in the field.

Sloppy Track Potential: Since Render Judgment is another horse that has only experienced fast tracks, if you want to look to his pedigree, offspring of his sire Blame generally don’t mind sloppy tracks.

16. Coal Battle (30-1)
Trainer: Lonnie Briley
Jockey: Juan Vargas
Race Record: 8 starts: 5 wins, 0 seconds, 1 third
Career Earnings: $1,188,875

If you love an underdog, Coal Battle will be easy to root for. His trainer, Lonnie Briley, is 72 years old and had never even run a horse in a graded stakes until Coal Battle won the Rebel Stakes (G2). Next out, Coal Battle was a distant third in the Arkansas Derby behind Sandman and Publisher. For the most part, he has not faced the level of competition he’ll be running against here, either. But if you’re looking for a good story, look no further.

Sloppy Track Potential: Coal Battle has two wins over wet tracks, so rain could be to his advantage.

17. Sandman (6-1)
Trainer: Mark Casse
Jockey: Jose Ortiz
Race Record: 8 starts: 3 wins, 1 second, 2 thirds
Career Earnings: $1,254,595

A last out winner of the Arkansas Derby, Sandman’s closing style may fit this pace-heavy race. Though it is worrisome that he has lost all three of his starts over the Churchill Downs oval, Sandman seems like he may be piecing things together.

Sloppy Track Potential: Sandman has only raced on fast tracks, so a sloppy track would be a toss-up for him. However, being by Tapit and out of a Distorted Humor mare won’t hurt him.

18. Sovereignty (5-1)
Trainer: Bill Mott
Jockey: Junior Alvarado
Race Record: 5 starts: 2 wins, 2 seconds, 0 thirds
Career Earnings: $572,800

Most recently second in the Florida Derby (G1), Sovereignty seems like a horse that may appreciate the added distance of the Kentucky Derby. He did romp in a graded stakes at Churchill as a two-year-old, so he clearly likes the surface. He does have the second lowest odds on the morning line despite not being overly accomplished, but he could be worth a play.

Sloppy Track Potential: Yet another horse that hasn’t faced a wet track, Sovereignty is, however, a son of Into Mischief—which should help his sloppy track chances.

19. Chunk of Gold (30-1)
Trainer: Ethan West
Jockey: Jareth Loveberry
Race Record: 4 starts: 1 win, 3 seconds, 0 thirds
Career Earnings: $348,818

Although Chunk of Gold has never finished worse than second, he has also only won a maiden special weight. Though second in both the Risen Star Stakes (G2) and Louisiana Derby, he was not a threat to the winner in either race. He’s certainly another underdog if that’s your angle.

Sloppy Track Potential: Like most, Chunk of Gold would be making his wet track debut. However, his full sister, Band of Gold, is a stakes winner over a sloppy track.

20. Owen Almighty (30-1)
Trainer: Brian Lynch
Jockey: Javier Castellano
Race Record: 7 starts: 3 wins, 2 seconds, 0 thirds
Career Earnings: $499,935

Owen Almighty faded to sixth behind Burnham Square and East Avenue in the Blue Grass Stakes last out, which is not an encouraging entry into the Kentucky Derby. He does have success at Churchill Downs, but it would take a lifetime best effort to win here.

Sloppy Track Potential: Since Owen Almighty has never raced on a sloppy track, the only hints you can get are from his pedigree. Both of his parents were winners on muddy or sloppy tracks.

21. Baeza (12-1)
Trainer: John Shirreffs
Jockey: Flavien Prat
Race Record: 4 starts: 1 win, 2 seconds, 0 thirds
Career Earnings: $148,500

Despite requiring a scratch to draw into the field (which the scratch of Rodriguez has allowed him to do), Baeza has lower morning line odds than most of the others. After all, he was a game second behind morning line favorite Journalism in the Santa Anita Derby. This a wide draw to overcome, but he is of course a half-brother to 2023 Kentucky Derby winner Mage and 2024 Belmont Stakes winner Dornoch.

Sloppy Track Potential: Based in Southern California, Baeza has not faced a sloppy track before. But Belmont Stakes-winning brother Dornoch won the Remsen Stakes (G2) on a muddy track and stakes-placed sister Gunning won two races on muddy or sloppy surfaces.

The post 2025 Kentucky Derby: Make Your Pick appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Day one of the 2025 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI5*-L kicked off today at the Kentucky Horse Park in picturesque Lexington, Ky. with the first day of dressage tests. Under mostly cloudy skies—apart from a handful of short-lived, light rain showers—many of the top horses and riders in the world took to Rolex Stadium for the first phase of the event.

A Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event dressage record was broken when reigning Paris 2024 Olympic gold medalists Michael Jung (GER) and FischerChipmunk FRH effortlessly danced across the ring to score a remarkably low 18.6. In doing so, Jung eclipsed his own standing record from 2022.

“I’m very happy to be here again,” Jung said. “I really love this place, this show. . . I had a great feeling with FischerChipmunk. Everything went well; I’m super happy.”

New Zealand riders rounded out the rest of the top four. Tied for second after the first dressage session are Clarke Johnstone (NZL) aboard Menlo Park, and Tim Price (NZL) aboard Jarillo. Both scored a 28.4.

“It’s been a very long time that I was here at the World Championships in 2010 and I’ve really wanted to come back,” Johnstone said. “It’s really the most beautiful setting and people are all so welcoming and wonderful. It’s great to be back here after all these years.”

Price, currently second in the world, also sits fourth with 13-year-old KWPN gelding Happy Boy. One of the last horses to go Thursday, Happy Boy and Price landed a 29.1 to give Price two horses in the top four so far.

“It was a good day with my two horses,” Price said. “Happy Boy tried really hard; same for [Jarillo]. We really want them to come and do their best and show what they’re capable of doing.”

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2025 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI5*-L Standings After Dressage Day One

1. Michael Jung (GER) and FischerChipmunk FRH (18.6)
=2. Clarke Johnstone (NZL) and Menlo Park (28.4)
=2. Tim Price (NZL) and Jarillo (28.4)
4. Tim Price (NZL) and Happy Boy (29.1)
5. Boyd Martin (USA) and Fedarman B (29.8)
6. Jonelle Price (NZL) and Hiarado (30.0)
7. Calvin Böckmann (GER) and Phantom of the Opera (30.2)
8. Sharon White (USA) and Claus 63 (32.3)
9. Jennie Brannigan (USA) and FE Lifestyle (34.0)
10. Harry Meade (GBR) and Et Hop du Matz (34.2)

2025 Cosequin® Lexington 4*-S Standings After Dressage Day One

During the first half of the day, Cosequin® Lexington 4*-S competitors took to the dressage ring under beautiful, sunny morning skies. The competitive field of horses and riders, featuring several Olympians, did not disappoint. After the first day of dressage, these are the current standings in the Cosequin® Lexington 4*-S:

1. Phillip Dutton (USA) and Denim (25.6)
2. Molly Duda (USA) and Disco Traveler (27.7)
3. Caroline Pamukcu (USA) and HSH Blake (27.9)
4. William Coleman (USA) and Very Dignified (28.0)
5. Robin Walker (USA) and SBT Barolo (29.8)
6. Alexandra Knowles (USA) and Morswood (30.3)
7. Bruce (Buck) Davidson Jr (USA) and Cooley Candyman (31.3)
8. Hannah Sue Hollberg (USA) and Carsonstown (31.7)
=9. Allison Springer (USA) and No May Moon (32.8)
=9. Olivia Dutton (USA) and Sea of Clouds (32.8)

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Find all of our coverage on our 2025 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event landing page.

Thanks to CareCredit for our 2025 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event coverage.

The post 2025 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event: Dressage Day One appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

The 2024 World Show is already underway in the Will Rogers Coliseum, continuing from September 20 through September 28. The youth competitors are first up, showing their Mini Horses through Wednesday, September 25. Open and amateur classes will close out the final four days of the World Show.

Nearly 300 classes will be contested at the AMHA World Show, with competitors showing their Miniature Horses in a variety of classes and disciplines—among them halter, showmanship, hunters, jumpers, and various types of driving classes.

The AMHA World Show returns to Fort Worth each year, just 30 miles north of the association’s headquarters in Alvarado, Texas. Founded in 1978, the AMHA is the world’s leading Miniature Horse registry with more than 240,000 registered horses and upwards of 6,000 members across 38 countries and provinces.

The event is open to the public, with only a parking fee required. All AMHA World Show classes can be viewed in the historic Will Rogers Coliseum.

The post The American Miniature Horse Association World Championship Show is Underway appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

With the stunning backdrop of the Palace of Versailles, eventers took to the cross-country course for the second day of eventing at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

After surpassing an Olympic record yesterday in dressage, Michael Jung (GER) and Chipmunk FRH went clear to take the lead. The pair heads into the jumping phase tomorrow with only 17.8 penalty points in pursuit of Jung’s third Olympic individual gold medal.

Laura Collett (GBR) and London 52, who set an Olympic record themselves on Saturday with a 17.5 in dressage, completed the cross-country course with only 0.8 in time penalties. The horse and rider combination trails Jung and Chipmunk FRH by just 0.5 with a total score of 18.3.

Four penalty points back in third is Christopher Burton (AUS) and Shadow Man with a score of 22.0, followed by Felix Vogg (SUI) and Dao De L’ocean in fourth (22.1). Yoshiaki Oiwa (JPN) aboard MGH Grafton Street completes the top five after cross country with a 25.5

Great Britain still leads the team standings with a score of 82.5; France is not far behind in second with 87.2 total penalties. Japan (93.8), Switzerland (102.4) and Belgium (111.0) round out the top five heading into show jumping.

Team USA’s highest ranked rider after cross-country is Boyd Martin aboard Fedarman B, currently in 17th with a 32.1. The U.S. Eventing Team is now in ninth with a score of 128.5, slipping from their previous sixth-place position.

Tomorrow, eventing medals will be decided during the show jumping phase. The eventing jumping team final and individual qualifier begins at 5 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time, and the individual final begins at 9 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time. NBC’s Peacock and NBCOlympics.com will livestream the competition.

Please enjoy a photo gallery from today’s cross-country phase at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

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Helpful Links

◆ Individual Results
◆ Team Results
◆ Cross-Country Fence Penalty Analysis

Stay tuned for more to come. For more coverage, visit our 2024 Paris Olympics main page.

Thanks to CareCredit for our spring and summer equestrian coverage.

The post 2024 Paris Olympics: Eventing Cross-Country Photo Gallery and Results appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

In 2021, 17,779 Thoroughbred foals in the United States alone were registered with the Jockey Club. This Saturday, only 20 Thoroughbreds — two of them born in Japan — will load into the starting gate for one of the most illustrious races in the world: the Kentucky Derby. 

Dubbed “the most exciting two minutes in sports,” the 1 ¼-mile race will showcase the 20 3-year-olds that qualified for the Derby via a points system. A crowd of about 150,000 will gather beneath Churchill Downs’ iconic Twin Spires, adorned in their eye-catching hats and best spring attire. Meanwhile, millions of viewers will tune in via television to find out which horse will be presented the winning garland of roses.  

The 2024 Kentucky Derby Field

Will it be an impressive favorite or a shocking long shot crossing the Churchill Downs finish line first this year?

Any horse in the race has a shot—which is exactly what produces so much excitement, and, of course, many betting strategies. Let’s take a look at each horse in this year’s Kentucky Derby, organized by post position and listed with their morning line odds.

1. Dornoch (20-1)
Trainer: Danny Gargan
Jockey: Luis Saez
Race Record: 6 starts: 3 wins, 2 seconds, 0 thirds
Career Earnings: $552,275

Certainly the most intriguing detail about Dornoch is that he is a full brother to last year’s Kentucky Derby winner, Mage. He was the winner of a small field in the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) in March, and most recently finished fourth in the Blue Grass Stakes (G1) behind Sierra Leone, Just a Touch, and Epic Ride.

With an especially tricky post position along the rail, Dornoch will need to call upon the promise he showed in his earlier form.

2. Sierra Leone (3-1)
Trainer: Chad Brown
Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione
Race Record: 4 starts: 3 wins, 1 second, 0 thirds
Career Earnings: $918,000

The second choice on the morning line, Sierra Leone enters the Kentucky Derby off a decisive win in the Blue Grass Stakes (G1) just down the road at Keeneland. His only loss to date was by the narrowest of margins to Dornoch last December in the Remsen Stakes (G2), a rival he soundly defeated last out.

An impressive colt that seems to only be improving, Sierra Leone is rightfully one of the top contenders in this race, if he gets the trip.

3. Mystik Dan (20-1)
Trainer: Kenny McPeek
Jockey: Brian Hernandez, Jr.
Race Record: 6 starts: 2 wins, 1 second, 1 third
Career Earnings: $641,360

Although a dominant winner of the Southwest Stakes (G3) two starts back, Mystik Dan failed to repeat that performance next out, finishing third in the Arkansas Derby (G1) in his final prep. He does own a win over the Churchill Downs surface as a 2-year-old, but it will take a much improved effort to be crowned the Derby champion.

4. Catching Freedom (8-1)
Trainer: Brad Cox
Jockey: Flavien Prat
Race Record: 5 starts: 3 wins, 0 seconds, 1 third
Career Earnings: $877,350

Winner of the Louisiana Derby (G2) last out, Catching Freedom has steadily improved and overcome immaturity over the course of his career. His recent speed figures are among some of the best in the 2024 Kentucky Derby field, and he couldn’t ask for a much better rider than Flavien Prat.

With the right trip, and as long as he has continued to mature, Catching Freedom could be a top player.

5. Catalytic (30-1)
Trainer: Saffie Joseph
Jockey: Jose Ortiz
Race Record: 3 starts: 1 win, 2 seconds, 0 thirds
Career Earnings: $216,825

One of the most inexperienced horses entered in the 2024 Kentucky Derby, Catalytic only has three lifetime starts under his belt, including only one route race. That came last out in the Florida Derby (G1), in which he finished second to Derby favorite Fierceness. He performed well enough to be second, but was defeated by 13 ½ lengths.

To win here would be asking a lot of this lightly raced colt.

6. Just Steel (20-1)
Trainer: D. Wayne Lukas
Jockey: Keith Asmussen
Race Record: 11 starts: 2 wins, 4 seconds, and 1 third
Career Earnings: $724,545

A win from Just Steel would be a heartwarming ending to this year’s Derby, as it would give Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen’s young son Keith his first Derby victory in his very first Derby start. Keith of course has the mount for another Hall of Fame trainer, D. Wayne Lukas, who has won this race four times.

The most experienced horse in the field with 11 starts, Just Steel has won only two of those. But, he has faced difficult trips in many of his races, and last out received a great ride from Asmussen in their first start together, finishing second in the Arkansas Derby (G1). While he’s shown signs of improvement, it would take a big jump from him to defeat this field.

7. Honor Marie (20-1)
Trainer: Whit Beckman
Jockey: Ben Curtis
Race Record: 5 starts: 2 wins, 2 seconds, 0 thirds
Career Earnings: $526,175

Although winless this year, Honor Marie was a strong second last out in the Louisiana Derby (G2). He does have two victories at Churchill Downs to his record, with a win in the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) and his debut as a 2-year-old last fall.

He is training well and clearly loves the Louisville oval, so he could be worth a look as a longshot.

8. Just a Touch (10–1)
Trainer: Brad Cox
Jockey: Florent Geroux
Race Record: 3 starts: 1 win, 2 seconds, 0 thirds
Career Earnings: $281,700

Looking to follow in his sire Justify’s footsteps with a win in the Derby off of just three previous starts, all in his 3-year-old year, Just a Touch is worthy of a glance. A strong second to Sierra Leone in the Blue Grass Stakes (G1) last out, his solid speed figures keep improving and he’s proven he can handle a fast early pace well — and that’s certainly something to be expected in the Derby most years.

Though he may get bet down as a “wise guy” horse, Just a Touch may just deserve to be included in the discussion of top picks.

9. Encino – SCRATCHED

10. T O Password (JPN) (30-1)
Trainer: Daisuke Takayanagi
Jockey: Kazushi Kimura
Race Record: 2 starts: 2 wins, 0 seconds, 0 thirds
Career Earnings: $163,339 

The longshot of the two Japan charges, T O Password is the most lightly raced horse in the group, with only two starts under his belt. He earned a Japan Road to the Derby berth with a win in the Fukuryu Stakes, but barely held on to win that race, crossing the wire a head in front.

Not only is this a huge jump in class for T O Password, but his fatigue in the late stretch of a shorter race last out certainly creates distance concerns for the 1 ¼-mile distance of the Kentucky Derby.

11. Forever Young (JPN) (10-1)
Trainer: Yoshito Yahagi
Jockey: Ryusei Sakai
Race Record: 5 starts: 5 wins, 0 seconds, 0 thirds
Career Earnings: $2,049,451 

Undefeated in five starts, including a convincing win last out in the UAE Derby, Forever Young may be the most formidable horse Japan has sent to the Kentucky Derby. He’s certainly up for the distance, and has proven himself head and shoulders above his peers up to this point.

It’s always a bit of an unknown when an international horse competes in the Derby, but Forever Young looks to be a real contender.

12. Track Phantom (20–1)
Trainer: Steve Asmussen
Jockey: Joel Rosario
Race Record: 7 starts: 3 wins, 2 seconds, 1 third
Career Earnings: $405,000

Track Phantom was a leading contender early on in the road to the 2024 Kentucky Derby, but he enters here off of two losses. Most recently fourth behind Catching Freedom and Honor Marie in the Louisiana Derby, the colt does, however, have strong speed figures.

Based on how he’s faltered in his last two races, Track Phantom doesn’t seem like he wants the distance here. He gets the addition of blinkers for the Derby, but the question is if that will make enough of a difference.

13. West Saratoga (50–1)
Trainer: Larry Demeritte
Jockey: Jesus Castanon
Race Record: 10 starts: 2 wins, 5 seconds, 1 third
Career Earnings: $460,140

One of the longest shots on the morning line, West Saratoga would be a fairytale winner for connections who are just happy to be in the game. The colt has a graded stakes win over the Churchill Downs surface to his credit, having won the Iroquois Stakes (G3) there as a 2-year-old. However, he has not won since and his speed figures don’t stack up against the others.

But if you like to bet the gray, West Saratoga is your Derby horse — he’s the only gray in the field.

14. Endlessly (30–1)
Trainer: Mike McCarthy
Jockey: Umberto Rispoli
Race Record: 6 starts: 5 wins, 0 seconds, 0 thirds
Career Earnings: $707,200

While he has done little wrong in his career, Endlessly has been facing much lighter competition than this and has only raced on turf and synthetic surfaces. He was a dominant winner of the Jeff Ruby (G3) last out, and certainly has talent, but the dirt is a big question for him.

15. Domestic Product (30–1)
Trainer: Chad Brown
Jockey: Irad Ortiz, Jr.
Race Record: 5 starts: 2 wins, 1 second, 0 thirds
Career Earnings: $314,200

A game winner of the Tampa Bay Derby (G3) last out in March, Domestic Product does appear to have improved as a 3-year-old and certainly has accomplished connections. He has been training well, but it would take a massive jump in effort and speed for him to pull the upset.

16. Grand Mo the First (50-1)
Trainer: Victor Barboza, Jr.
Jockey: Emisael Jaramillo
Race Record: 6 starts: 2 wins, 0 seconds, 4 thirds
Career Earnings: $214,650

One of three 50-1 longshots on the morning line, Grand Mo the First not only hasn’t won since last September, but he has never won against stakes company. He picked up Kentucky Derby points with several third-place finishes on the Derby trail this year, but it would take by far the best effort of his life to shock the crowd here.

17. Fierceness (5-2)
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Jockey: John Velazquez
Race Record: 5 starts: 3 wins, 0 seconds, 1 third
Career Earnings: $1,703,850

Fierceness stamped himself as the 2024 Kentucky Derby favorite with a 13 ½-length romp in his final prep, the Florida Derby (G1). The colt was last year’s Eclipse Champion 2-Year-Old Male, which he clinched with a dominant win in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1). 

He does seem like the kind of horse to need just the right trip to win and his recent training has left a bit to be desired. But on talent and speed figures alone, he is the best of this field on paper.

18. Stronghold (20-1)
Trainer: Phil D’Amato
Jockey: Antonio Fresu
Race Record: 6 starts: 3 wins, 3 seconds, 0 thirds
Career Earnings: $827,200

Fresh off a game win in the Santa Anita Derby (G1), Stronghold has never been worse than second in his 6-start career thus far. The question of how competitive of company he’s faced does create some worry, but he has done very little wrong.

19. Resilience (20-1)
Trainer: Bill Mott
Jockey: Junior Alvarado
Race Record: 6 starts: 2 wins, 1 second, 1 third
Career Earnings: $494,630

Most recently a clear winner of the Wood Memorial (G2), Resilience seems to have only recently come into his own. The Into Mischief colt also leaves a bit to be desired as far as speed figures go, but he should benefit from the long distance of the Derby. It will take a big jump for him to find the wire first.

20. Society Man (50-1)
Trainer: Danny Gargan
Jockey: Frankie Dettori
Race Record: 5 starts: 1 win, 1 second, 1 third
Career Earnings: $196,705 

While every horse in the gate has a chance, Society Man does seem to be the most overmatched in the Kentucky Derby field. He only just broke his maiden in March, and then followed that up with a second-place finish in the Wood Memorial (G2). Prior to that, he’d only hit the board once in three other maiden special weight efforts.

21. Epic Ride (30-1)
Trainer: John Ennis
Jockey: Adam Beschizza
Race Record: 5 starts: 2 wins, 2 seconds, 1 third
Career Earnings: $253,166

It was just two years ago when #21, drawn in off the scratch of a main body entrant, made Derby history as Rich Strike surprised everyone with his 80-1 Kentucky Derby upset. While Epic Ride likely won’t go off at odds quite that high, it would still take a surprising effort from him to pull the upset. He was a respectable third in the Blue Grass Stakes (G1) behind Sierra Leone and Just a Touch last out, but he will have his work cut out for him.

Let us know in the comments here, or on Facebook (Horse Illustrated) or Instagram (@horseillustrated) who your 2024 Kentucky Derby pick is! Click here to subscribe to Horse Illustrated.

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A creation of Teton Ridge, The American Performance Horseman takes place during The American Western Weekend — a multi-event western showcase known for its title event, The American Rodeo. With support from the American Quarter Horse Association, American Paint Horse Association, National Cutting Horse Association, National Reining Horse Association, and the National Reined Cow Horse Association, The American Performance Horseman remains the only event to showcase each of these three western performance disciplines in the same night at the same venue. 

Following the same format as its debut last year, The American Performance Horseman saw the top five horsemen from the NCHA, NRHA and NRCHA battle head to head. A team format sent one horse and rider pair into the ring per discipline, with five horses and horsemen facing off per event for a total of fifteen performances. An individual winner was crowned for each respective discipline, and the cumulative final of all three disciplines determined the winning team.

2024 American Performance Horseman Teams

Burnt Orange Team

1. Morgan Cromer and Cool Guitar – Cutting
2. Brian Bell and Gunna Whoa – Reining
3. Corey Cushing and SJR Talkin Diamonds – Reined Cow Horse

Racing Green Team

1. Wesley Galyean and Nineteen 42 – Cutting
2. Andrea Fappani and All Bettss Are Off – Reining
3. Matt Koch and Smart Ladies Sparkle – Reined Cow Horse

Royal Blue Team

1. Adan Banuelos and Storyteler – Cutting
2. Casey Deary and Down Right Amazing – Reining
3. Clayton Edsall and Bet He Sparks – Reined Cow Horse

Imperial Purple Team

1. James Payne and Summer Time Fun – Cutting
2. Jason Vanlandingham and Gunnabebigtime – Reining
3. Justin Wright and Scooter Kat – Reined Cow Horse

Regal Red Team

1. Austin Shepard and Kittennish – Cutting
2. Cade McCutcheon and Finals Bound – Reining
3. Sarah Dawson and Smart Chic An Tari – Reined Cow Horse

Cutting

The cutters were the first up to bat, delighting the crowd with their athleticism as they separated cattle from the herd. The audience roared with cheers and whistles as the cutting horses dug deep in the dirt and turned on the dime while working the cattle.

Ultimately, it was Adan Banuelos who defended his title as The American Performance Horseman Cutting Champion. Banuelos clenched the victory with a score of 230 aboard the AQHA/APHA double-registered stallion Storyteler, an eye-catching sorrel whose agility in the cutting pen was remarkable.

At the awards ceremony as a large crowd gathered, Banuelos was clearly touched by what this fan-focused event has done for western performance sports.

“Thank you for acknowledging the fact that horses are the original athlete in here,” Banuelos said. “I’m very grateful. I love you guys very much.”

Reining

After an intermission that featured a performance from jazz-infused rock band Ghost Hounds, reining was on deck. Performing NRHA Pattern 10, each horse and rider team galloped down the center of the arena before coming to a sliding stop at the beginning of their individual performances, setting up the excitement.

Medleys of classic rock and current pop hits roared through the ballpark as each horse displayed their athleticism and ability to be willingly guided. The audience howled at the thrilling maneuvers of sliding stops, electric spins, brisk circles and powerful rollbacks.

Yet again, a title from the original 2023 event was redeemed in 2024 — this time aboard the same horse. Last year’s The American Performance Horseman Reining Champion Casey Deary aboard the AQHA/APHA stallion Down Right Amazing performed an outstanding pattern, earning a score of 226.5.

For Deary, it was all about protecting the talented horse’s reputation. When asked what makes Down Right Amazing so special, he had nothing but admiration for the flashy sorrel stallion.

“His temperament is fantastic,” Deary said. “Nothing rattles him. He shows up to work and is just a real honest horse.”

Reined Cow Horse

The final inning of The American Performance Horseman featured the reined cow horse competitors, where horse and rider must prove their ability to work a cow. Though this event combines reining and cow work, the reined cow horse competitors performed their rein work earlier in the day, saving the exciting cow work for the Friday night crowd.

The tension in the air was palpable as the crowd watched each horse and rider team maneuver their assigned cow, first holding it at one end of the arena (boxing), before then running the cow down the rail of the arena and turning it back (fencing), and finally pushing the cow into tight circles (circling).

The athleticism of these western performance horses was vividly on display in this event, and one gleaming palomino stood out from the others. Wowing both the crowd and judges was the duo of SJR Talkin Diamonds, an AQHA/APHA stallion, and Corey Cushing, a legendary name in the reined cow horse industry with more than $3 million in earnings and a collection of important titles to his name.

Though their first cow required a call by the judges to reassign a new cow, that official performance from Cushing and SJR Talkin Diamonds was stellar, scoring a 220.5 (for a total of 439) to claim the win.

“I believed in that horse ever since I started taking him down the fence as a 3-year-old,” Cushing said in his winning interview. “We’ve been the bridesmaid quite a few times but never the bride, and tonight was his night. If I had to do it all again, I’d turn right around and call on him again to give me everything he got again.”

Team Results

With repeat wins in their divisions, Adan Banuelos and Casey Deary yet again boosted their team — Team Royal Blue — to victory. Joined by reined cow horse rider Clayton Edsall, who had a good start in his cow work but unfortunately ended up with a bumpy performance, the trio stepped on stage before the large crowd to accept their hardware and give a nod to the horsemen they’ve had the chance to work with and learn from.

“Just on our way up here, I learned a reminder that we all have ups and downs,” Banuelos said. “[Edsall] is one of the best horsemen I know, and him handling a day like today and supporting us the way that he did. I know that it wasn’t a good go at it, but he made the most of it and got us a win. And that’s what it’s all about to me. It’s all about family, it’s all about keeping your chin up, about making somebody feel good on their way out of the arena. And we’re very grateful for this man right here.”

Deary also acknowledged the teamwork that went into play with this event.

“Every single point counts toward that deal,” Deary said. “The first one counts just as much as the last one.”

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“He is moving like a tremendous machine!”

This moment of Chic Anderson’s call of the 1973 Belmont Stakes is forever etched into history. Under the blue and white checkered silks of Penny Chenery’s Meadow Stables, Secretariat was widening his lead on his rival Sham along the vast final turn at Belmont Park. Having just won the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, Secretariat was just moments away from an elusive Triple Crown win.

It had been 25 years since American racing had seen a Triple Crown winner. The roar of the crowd was deafening as their hopes rested on “Big Red.” And with each passing stride, the crowd grew louder with confidence as the colt continued to put lengths between him and the rest of the field.

In another iconic moment, Secretariat’s jockey, Ron Turcotte, looked back over his shoulder to see just how far ahead he was of the other horses. It was clear there would be no catching the red colt. To the cheers of an overwhelmed, dazzled crowd, Secretariat crossed the finish line 31 lengths in front – a performance that has never been replicated.

Today marks the 50th anniversary of that historic day. On June 9, 1973, Secretariat stamped himself as the greatest of all time and earned his place as a lifelong favorite in the hearts of racing fans and horse lovers alike. Those titles still stand 50 years later.

Secretariat retired to stud in late 1973, after a career that saw 16 wins from 21 starts – a multitude of graded stakes wins among those victories. In 2023, he still holds the stakes record for the fastest times ever achieved in all three Triple Crown races. His Kentucky Derby time of 1:59.40 for 1 ¼ miles still stands as the track record at Churchill Downs, as does his Belmont Stakes time of 2:24.00 for 1 ½ miles at Belmont Park.

While Secretariat’s career at stud did not quite replicate the brilliance of his racing career, his effect on the bloodlines of the Thoroughbred racehorse is still felt in modern-day breeding. In fact, all nine horses in this year’s Belmont Stakes trace back to Secretariat.

But it remains Secretariat’s racing achievements that are talked of year after year. That has been especially true throughout this year’s Triple Crown, as racing fans celebrate the 50th anniversary of Secretariat’s historic accomplishment. Five decades later, and the impact of Big Red still resonates.

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It’s the first Saturday in May, and in Louisville, Ky., that can only mean one thing: it’s Kentucky Derby Day.

Each year on this day (aside from the delayed, no-spectator race in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic), a large field of 3-year-old Thoroughbreds step out onto the esteemed Churchill Downs oval to compete for the garland of roses—one of the highest honors in horse racing.

Steeped in tradition, the Kentucky Derby is the first leg in American racing’s Triple Crown, followed by the Preakness Stakes in Maryland two weeks later and the Belmont Stakes in New York three weeks after that. Only 13 horses in history have achieved the feat of sweeping all three races, and only two have done so since 1978.

But before a horse has a shot at etching his name in the Triple Crown history books, he must first overcome the greatest two minutes in sports: the Kentucky Derby.

This year—after multiple scratches in the final days leading up to the race, including the forced scratch of Lord Miles as a result of the suspension of trainer Saffie Joseph and the scratch of morning line favorite Forte this morning—the field will feature 18 horses. Just shy of its full capacity of 20 horses, all three also-eligible entries drew in as a result of the scratches. Of course, an also-eligible upset the Derby last year when Rich Strike shocked the world at 80-1 odds from the #21 post.

The 2023 Kentucky Derby Field

Will another long shot take everyone by surprise at the Churchill Downs finish line this year?

Any horse that breaks from the starting gate has a shot—and that’s what creates so much anticipation, excitement, and, of course, betting strategies. Let’s take a look at each horse in this year’s Kentucky Derby.

1. Hit Show (30-1)
Trainer: Brad Cox
Jockey: Manuel Franco
Race Record: 5 starts: 3 wins, 1 second, 0 thirds
Career Earnings: $404,375

Second by just a nose last out in the Wood Memorial, Hit Show is one of four entrants for trainer Brad Cox. His only finish out of the money did come at Churchill Downs as a 2-year-old, but this long shot is on the improve.

2. Verifying (15-1)
Trainer: Brad Cox
Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione
Race Record: 6 starts: 2 wins, 2 seconds, 0 thirds
Career Earnings: $489,900

In his last start, Verifying finished only a neck behind morning line second choice Tapit Trice in the Blue Grass. He has yet to achieve a win in graded stakes company, but at the best of his game, his speed figures are among the best in the field. He will need that kind of effort to stay with the best here.

3. Two Phil’s (12-1)
Trainer: Larry Rivelli
Jockey: Jareth Loveberry
Race Record: 8 starts: 4 wins, 1 second, 1 third
Career Earnings: $683,450

Among the six entering the Derby off of a win, Two Phil’s was a dominant winner of his final prep, but that came on a synthetic surface. He has finished behind the likes of fellow contenders Forte, Confidence Game, Angel of Empire and Sun Thunder. He will need to repeat the level of his last effort, but he will have many fans cheering for him.

4. Confidence Game (20-1)
Trainer: Keith Desormeaux
Jockey: James Graham
Race Record: 7 starts: 3 wins, 1 second, 2 thirds
Career Earnings: $785,525

Out of a half-sister to the great race mare Zenyatta, Confidence Game has not run since February 25, but that race resulted in a win in the Rebel Stakes. He has won twice in four starts at Churchill, but with over two months since his last race and speed figures that show room for improvement, a win would take a lifetime best effort.

5. Tapit Trice (5-1)
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Jockey: Luis Saez
Race Record: 5 starts: 4 wins, 0 seconds, 1 third
Career Earnings: $883,650

The second choice on the morning line, Tapit Trice is the stablemate of scratched morning line favorite Forte. Undefeated in 2023, the gray colt enters the Kentucky Derby off of wins in the 2023 Blue Grass Stakes and Tampa Bay Derby. He has done nothing wrong this year.

6. Kingsbarns (12-1)
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Jockey: Jose Ortiz
Race Record: 3 starts: 3 wins, 0 seconds, 0 thirds
Career Earnings: $657,300

One of the most lightly raced horses in this field with only three starts, all of which have been as a 3-year-old, he is nonetheless defeated in each of those. An easy winner of the Louisiana Derby last out, it’s difficult to knock this colt for anything other than his lack of experience.

7. Reincarnate (50-1)
Trainer: Tim Yakteen
Jockey: John Velazquez
Race Record: 7 starts: 2 wins, 3 seconds, 2 thirds
Career Earnings: $345,650

Third behind Angel of Empire and King Russell last out in the Arkansas Derby, Reincarnate has not won since the Sham Stakes in January. As his races have gotten longer, his speed figures have dropped, which is cause for concern.

8. Mage (15-1)
Trainer: Gustavo Delgado
Jockey: Javier Castellano
Race Record: 3 starts: 1 win, 1 second, 0 thirds
Career Earnings: $247,200

Another contender with only three lifetime starts, Mage enters the Derby after nearly dethroning Champion 2-Year-Old and Derby morning line favorite Forte in the Florida Derby. Second there, this is a colt full of potential.

9. SCRATCHED

10. SCRATCHED

11. Disarm (30-1)
Trainer: Steve Asmussen
Jockey: Joel Rosario
Race Record: 5 starts: 1 win, 2 seconds, 2 thirds
Career Earnings: $327,850

Trained by racing’s all-time winningest trainer Steve Asmussen, Disarm is a spitting image of his champion sire, Gun Runner. He has only won in maiden company and despite twice finishing in the money in graded Derby preps, it will take a large jump in performance for Disarm to upset the Kentucky Derby.

12. Jace’s Road (50-1)
Trainer: Brad Cox
Jockey: Florent Geroux
Race Record: 6 starts: 2 wins, 0 seconds, 2 thirds
Career Earnings: $238,050

Jace’s Road has a very hit-or-miss race record, and has not won since a black-type stakes win as a 2-year-old in December. Effectively defeated in the Southwest Stakes and Louisiana Derby, Jace’s Road has the highest odds of the four Brad Cox entrants.

13. Sun Thunder (50-1)
Trainer: Kenny McPeek
Jockey: Brian Hernandez, Jr.
Race Record: 6 starts: 1 win, 1 second, 1 third
Career Earnings: $247,500

Out of the money in his last two starts and out of the winner’s circle since his maiden win as a 2-year-old on New Year’s Eve, Sun Thunder has been soundly defeated by a number of fellow Derby contenders. He does get blinkers added for this race to try to get him focused on the race earlier, but the question is if that will make enough difference.

14. Angel of Empire (8-1)
Trainer: Brad Cox
Jockey: Flavien Prat
Race Record: 6 starts: 4 wins, 1 seconds, 0 thirds
Career Earnings: $1,069,375

Angel of Empire enters off of two Derby prep wins, including a dominant victory in the April 1 Arkansas Derby. This colt has steadily improved over the course of his career, and seems to be peaking at the right time.

15. SCRATCHED

16. Raise Cain (50-1)
Trainer: Ben Colebrook
Jockey: Gerardo Corrales
Race Record: 7 starts: 2 wins, 1 second, 1 third
Career Earnings: $296,328

Raise Cain dominated the Gotham Stakes in the mud two starts back, but was a disappointing fifth in the Blue Grass Stakes behind Tapit Trice next out. His only other win came in maiden company, hence the 50-1 odds.

17. Derma Sotogake (10-1)
Trainer: Hidetaka Otonashi
Jockey:Christophe Lemaire
Race Record: 8 starts: 4 wins, 0 seconds, 2 thirds
Career Earnings: $1,162,164

Despite the scratch of Continuar, Japan is still represented by two runners in Derma Sotogake and Mandarin Hero. A runaway winner of the UAE Derby in Dubai last out, Derma Sotogake looks to continue the wave of Japanese success on the world’s biggest racing stage. A Kentucky Derby win eludes the country, but this colt looks like he just may have the chance to make history.

18. Rocket Can (30-1)
Trainer: Bill Mott
Jockey: Junior Alvarado
Race Record: 7 starts: 2 wins, 2 seconds, 0 thirds
Career Earnings: $383,413

Although Rocket Can kicked off the year with a win in the Holy Bull Stakes, he has regressed since then. Most recently fourth as the beaten favorite in the Arkansas Derby, Rocket Can has the expertise of Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott on his side but may be past his peak.

19. SCRATCHED

20. SCRATCHED

21. Cycle Mischief (30-1)
Trainer: Dale Romans
Jockey: Irad Ortiz, Jr.
Race Record: 7 starts: 2 wins, 0 seconds, 3 thirds
Career Earnings: $246,350

Drawing in as an also-eligible, Cycle Mischief has never won a stakes race. He has, however, been third behind favorite Forte in his last two starts so has proven he can be competitive against the best. However, to defeat them, it will take his best performance yet.

22. Mandarin Hero (20-1)
Trainer: Terunobu Fujita
Jockey: Kazushi Kimura
Race Record: 6 starts: 4 wins, 2 seconds, 0 thirds
Career Earnings: $386,854

The other contender for Japan, Mandarin Hero was second by just a nose in the Santa Anita Derby behind the scratched Practical Move in his most recent start—which was also his first race stateside. His only other loss also came at a narrow margin, and his Santa Anita speed figure is among the best in the field. Could it be fate that he drew into the race?

23. King Russell (50-1)
Trainer: Ron Moquett
Jockey: Rafael Bejarano
Race Record: 6 starts: 1 win, 3 seconds, 0 thirds
Career Earnings: $322,350

It took this colt five tries to finally break his maiden, but he seemed to have figured it out then, as he finished second in the grade one Arkansas Derby in his very next start. He’d have to make another massive leap here to spring the upset.

Regardless of who you pick, the 2023 Kentucky Derby is sure to be full of excitement. If you don’t want to miss a second of the action, tune in to NBC today from 12:00 to 7:30 p.m. ET, with various other races on the undercard throughout the day before the Derby starting gates open at 6:57 ET. Coverage is also available to stream live on NBCSports.com, the NBC Sports app and Peacock.

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In an atmosphere that can only be described as electric, the top horsemen and equine athletes in the sports of cutting, reining and reined cow horse took to the diamond of Globe Life Field for the first-ever The American Performance Horseman on March 10, 2023. Before a crowd of 18,000, the horse and rider teams pursued a prize pool of $1 million.

A creation of Teton Ridge, The American Performance Horseman was held during The American Western Weekend—a multi-event western showcase known for its title event, The American Rodeo. With support from the American Quarter Horse Association, American Paint Horse Association, National Cutting Horse Association, National Reining Horse Association, and the National Reined Cow Horse Association, The American Performance Horseman was the first event of its kind to shine the spotlight on each of these three western performance disciplines in the same night at the same venue.

The top five horsemen from the NCHA, NRHA and NRCHA battled head to head, offering fans the chance to see the most elite of these unique disciplines compete. The team format sent one horse and rider pair into the ring per discipline, with five horses and horsemen facing off per event for a total of fifteen performances. 

The teams were as follows:

Burnt Orange Team

1. Austin Shepherd – Cutting
2. Matt Mills – Reining
3. Lee Deacon – Reined Cow Horse

Racing Green Team

1. Lindy Thorn – Cutting
2. Casey Deary – Reining
3. Chris Dawson – Reined Cow Horse

Royal Blue Team

1. Adan Banuelos – Cutting
2. Fernando Salgado – Reining
3. Sarah Dawson – Reined Cow Horse

Imperial Purple Team

1. Wesley Galyean – Cutting
2. Andrea Fappani – Reining
3. Corey Cushing – Reined Cow Horse

Regal Red Team

1. Lloyd Cox – Cutting
2. Shawn Flarida – Reining
3. Justin Wright – Reined Cow Horse

Cutting was the first on deck and after the herd of cattle had been settled, the cutting team members were up to bat as ‘80s rock medleys set the tone. The crowd delighted in the athleticism of the cutting horses, erupting with cheers as the cutters dug deep in the dirt while working their selected cattle.

The Royal Blue Team’s Adan Banuelos, aboard Teton Ridge’s mare All Spice, lit up the scoreboard with a 229. This clenched a win in the cutting, and following the event, Banuelos admitted to the crowd that the only love letter he has ever written in life was for the talented red roan mare. He had won the 2020 National Cutting Horse Futurity Open with All Spice, but soon had to say goodbye to her when Teton Ridge made the decision to retire her. However, he had the chance to be reunited with her for this groundbreaking event and the two did not disappoint.

“Whenever I won the Futurity, I didn’t know what was next,” said Banuelos. “And Teton Ridge came out with something that created a bunch of energy and nerves, and it was fresh ground per se. I can’t tell you how blessed and lucky we are. This was an arena full of talent.”

Once the cutting was over, Sheryl Crow took to the stage as the arena crew worked to prepare the ring for reining. The crowd delighted in the Grammy Award-winning artist’s performance before turning their attention to the prowess of the reining athletes.

Whistling and howling as the reiners performed their exciting maneuvers of sliding stops, rapid spins, speedy circles and powerful rollbacks, the audience was enthralled by all five reining performances. 

Ultimately, it was Casey Deary aboard Down Right Amazing, a stallion double-registered with the AQHA and APHA, that most impressed the judges. With a score of 231.5, Deary and the bald-faced sorrel stallion took the reining title for the Racing Green Team.

“The reason that I do what I do is because I love that horse,” said Deary after his big win. “Everything that we do daily is about preparing that horse to handle any situation that we put him in—down to the daily care that he gets. Those horses are treated better than I am.”

The last event of the night displayed the fence work of the reined cow horse, a nail-biting performance in which horse and rider prove their ability to control a cow at a fast pace. Having already completed the rein work stage of the reined cow horse discipline earlier in the day, the teams saved this exciting portion of the event for the crowd—and they certainly did not disappoint. From the edges of their seats, spectators watched as horse and rider teams boxed their cow before running it down the side of the arena and then circling it each way—all performed at a quick pace. 

The final rider of the night was also the only female rider in the competition, Sarah Dawson aboard Shine Smarter. Dawson saved the best for last, guiding the sorrel mare through an eye-catching run. Together, Dawson and Shine Smarter marked a 226.5 for their fence work, with their 226-point rein work score from earlier in the day giving them a composite score of 452.5. With Sarah Dawson’s win in the reined cow horse discipline, her score pushed “Team Blue” to victory. 

One by one, each individual discipline winner entered the arena to accept their awards, including a $100,000 check and a Rolex watch. Then, Team Blue—consisting of Adan Banuelos, Fernando Salgado and Sarah Dawson—gathered before the crowd to celebrate their victory as a team and accept their awards: Lesley Rand Bennett hand-crafted rings and individual $25,000 checks. Every rider was outwardly emotional about their achievements and expressed gratitude toward their equine athletes.

Following the awards ceremony, it was clear the energy of the night and the significance of their accomplishments still had not sunk in.

“Honestly, I haven’t even wrapped my mind around the money yet,” said Dawson. “I just can’t get over the feeling that I have that this mare has accomplished what she accomplished tonight.”

At the conclusion of the night, it was evident something special had been born. Each horseman seemed to feel the momentum that the atmosphere the first-ever The American Performance Horseman had produced and was eager to see where it could take these western performance disciplines.

“We’ve always kind of talked amongst ourselves, knowing that our sports are so cool but that the biggest problem that we’ve had is that they haven’t been spectator sports,” said Dawson. “We kind of get the same people seeing them again and again, and I think Teton Ridge has just come in and proved that we can turn this into a spectator sport. I’m just excited to see what it’s gonna turn into from here, because I think they’ve just opened a door that we didn’t know we could open.”

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