The 20-horse field for the 142nd Kentucky Derby is set. Teams had until 9 a.m. on Friday to make the decision whether to scratch, but none did, the Louisville Courier-Journal reports. A scratch before the deadline would have opened the door for one of the “also eligible” horses to enter instead.
Kentucky Derby 2016: No horses scratch at deadline, the field is set
The 9 a.m. deadline has come and gone, making the 20-horse field at the Kentucky Derby official.
Laoban and Cherry wine, who fell into that category, are likely to target a start two weeks from Saturday at the Preakness Stakes instead, the newspaper notes.
Also, there were no scratches for Friday’s Grade I Kentucky Oaks race, featuring the top 3-year-old fillies.
Betting is now officially open for both races, with Nyquist, the favorite morning line favorite, the favorite to win the $2 million, mile-and-a-quarter Kentucky Derby. Nyquist, trained by Doug O’Neill and jockeyed by Mario Gutierrez, was set at 3-1 by oddsmaker Matt Battaglia.
Nyquist, winner of the Grade I Florida Derby last month, would be the first horse since Seattle Slew in 1977 to continue an undefeated season at the Derby. Nyquist has won all seven of the races he’s entered to this date.
Exaggerator, featuring the team of brothers Kent and Keith Desormeaux and jockey and trainer, is running second at 8-1 odds. Creator, Gun Runner and Mohaymen are each at 10-1. Mor Spirit, the Todd Pletcher trained horse ridden by Gary Stevens, is at 12-1.
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