(States Twitter)-Run for the Roses" boasts field of 20 impressive thoroughbreds that will hit the dirt on Churchill Downs this weekend.
Whether you're a pony expert or pick your favorite based on the funny horse names, check out our slideshow to get the latest odds for Saturday's big race.
Odds presented by the Kentucky Derby.
137th running of the Kentucky Derby will take place this Saturday, and you probably don't know anything about any of the horses. We are here to help. Today's contender is "Pants On Fire," who is in a hurry because he is a race horse, and because his pants are on fire.
Joyful Victory finished fifth in last November's Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies but roared to life this spring at Oaklawn Park in Arkansas, winning the Grade III Honeybee by 9 3/4 lengths, then taking the Fantasy by 7 lengths.
Trained by Larry Jones, the Tapit filly now has three wins from five career starts. The rail often is a problematic spot in the starting gate. But since Joyful Victory normally runs from off the pace, she won't be forced to gun for early position from the gate.
OH GOD THIS IS THE WORST NAME EVER BECAUSE LITERALLY MY PANTS ARE ON FIRE AND I'M NOT EVEN SUPPOSED TO BE WEARING THEM BECAUSE I AM A HORSE AND I THOUGHT NOT WEARING PANTS WAS A PERK OF THE JOB WHY DID YOU HAVE TO BE SO LITERAL HORSE OWNERS--
Bob Baffert will saddle Plum Pretty, who ran third in both the Santa Ynez and the Las Virgenes at Santa Anita before winning the Sunland Park Oaks in New Mexico by 25 lengths in her last outing.
The early favorite, R Heat Lightning, was declared from the race this week with a knee injury.
Pants On Fire has a quality upset on his record in the form of his victory at the Louisiana Derby, where he outpaced Mucho Macho Man down the stretch and took home the race's $600,000 purse for a win. More importantly, Pants on Fire automatically qualified for the Derby with the winnings and avoided any further racing wear and tear in the lead-up to the Derby. Considering how stressful it already is to be named "Pants on Fire," this has to be good news for the horse and its trainers.
Oaks is one of five stakes events on Friday's card at Churchill Downs. Oaks Day once was a haven for locals seeking to avoid the throngs on Derby Day. In recent years, however, it has come to rival the big day in terms of attendance and general frenzy.
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