From Churchill Downs
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Apr. 30, 2014) – Through various sources, the Churchill Downs communications team has confirmed that 21 horses are known to have been entered in Saturday’s $2 million Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands.
The horses known to be entered in the Kentucky Derby are (in order of preference by points earned on the “Road to the Kentucky Derby Presented by TwinSpires.com): California Chrome, Vicar’s in Trouble, Dance With Fate, Wicked Strong, Samraat, Danza, Hoppertunity, Intense Holiday, Wildcat Red, We Miss Artie, Ride On Curlin, Chitu, Tapiture, General a Rod, Medal Count, Candy Boy, Uncle Sigh, Vinceremos, Harry’s Holiday and Commanding Curve. Pablo Del Monte would be on the “also eligible” list.
Big Bazinga, who would have been behind Pablo Del Monte on the “also eligible” list was not entered in the Derby and instead will run in the $250,000 American Turf Presented by Ram Trucks (GII).
The “also eligible” horses could draw into the field should any horse(s) be scratched before scratch time on Friday at 9 a.m. ET.
Entries closed today at 10 a.m. ET. The Kentucky Derby post position draw – a traditional “pill pull” in which horses’ entry blanks are pulled simultaneously with a numbered pill to determine what stall a horse will break from the starting gate – will be held today at 5 p.m. in the Secretariat Lounge on the second floor of the Grandstand. The post position draw will air live on NBCSN from 5-6 p.m. and will be streamed by other various outlets, including Horse Racing Radio Network.
Attendees are asked to arrive and be seated by 4:55 p.m. NBCSN’s telecast will begin at 5 p.m. and includes pre-draw analysis and interviews (video and audio will be heard in the Secretariat Lounge). The draw will begin at 5:21 p.m. with John Asher (Vice President, Racing Communications) serving as the emcee and Ben Huffman (Director, Racing & Racing Secretary) and Dan Bork (Assistant Racing Secretary & Stakes Coordinator) conducting the pill-pull. The first 10 post positions will be drawn from 5:22 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. After a commercial break, the final 10 post positions will be drawn from 5:33 p.m. until 5:40 p.m. After NBCSN’s post-draw reactions and interviews, Churchill Downs oddsmaker Mike Battaglia will deliver the Kentucky Derby’s morning line odds at 5:49 p.m. Connections will be available for comment in the room after the draw show concludes at 6 p.m.
An “After the Draw Party” in the Secretariat Lounge will commence at 7 p.m. and continue until 11 p.m. Media interested in attending can visit a member of the Churchill Downs communications team in The Parlay for tickets.