Horse Racing: Way-Too-Early 2019 Kentucky Derby Contenders

So as we approach the first Saturday in May, we will take a look at the horses who will potentially line up for the 2019 edition of the Run for the Roses. Keep in mind lots of factors can change and more than likely will change this list of 20.

Including, but not limited to bad starts and injuries, overall, the road to the Kentucky Derby ultimately starts now. The first official Prep race doesn’t start till February 16th at Fair Grounds with the Risen Star Stakes. Even though the Risen Stakes is the first official Prep race there are plenty of big races prior to that one. The Smarty Jones stakes, The Holy Bull Stakes, and the Withers Stakes just to name a few. Since the Kentucky Derby has adapted the point system only the top 20 point earning horses will be allowed to run in the Kentucky Derby.

Points in the official Prep races are worth more than the ones that are not official prep races.

The Contenders

1. Game Winner- 1st in the Breeders Cup Juvenile, next race March 9th San Felipe Stakes
2. Signalman- 1st in the Kentucky Jockey Club, next race March 2nd Fountain of Youth
3. Improbable- 1st in the Los Alamitos Futurity, next race March 9th San Felipe Stakes
4. Gunmetal Gray- 1st in the Sham Stakes, next race February 2nd Robert B. Lewis Stakes
5. Knicks Go- 11th in the Kentucky Jockey Club, next race February 9th Sam F. Davis Stakes
6. Vekoma- 1st in Nashua, next race unannounced
7. Mucho Gusto- 2nd in Los Alamitos Futurity, next race unannounced
8. Global Campaign- 1st in a Maiden Special Weight, next race unannounced
9. Instagrand- 1st in Best Pal Stakes, next race unannounced
10. Coliseum- 6th in Sham Stakes, next race unannounced
11. Plus Que Parfait- 2nd in the Kentucky Jockey Club, next race January 19th, LeComte
12. Mind Control- 1st in Jerome Stakes, next race February 2nd Withers Stakes
13. Tacitus- 1st in a Maiden Special Weight, next race unannounced
14. Maximus Mischief- 1st in Remsen Stakes, next race February 2nd Holy Bull
15. Mihos- 1st in Mucho Macho Man Stakes, next race March 2nd Fountain of Youth Stakes
16. Kingly- 1st in a Maiden Special Weight, next race is unannounced
17. Uncle Benny- 2nd in Breeders Cup Turf Juvenile, next race is unannounced
18. Code of Honor- 4th in Mucho Macho Man Stakes, next race is unannounced
19. Long Range Toddy- 1st Remington Springboard Mile, next race is January 25th Smarty Jones Stakes
20. Mucho- 2nd Hopeful Stakes, next race is unannounced