Special thanks to Betty S for helping to keep track of the scores!
Rules
Get ready, everyone! I would like to invite you all to join me in the third annual "Road to the Kentucky Derby" informal Handicapping Challenge!
Starting on December 29th and continuing until January 6th, players may choose a stable of ten horses (plus one jockey and one trainer) that will earn points based on their performances in a series of official Kentucky Derby prep races (the list of races is included below.) Points will be awarded to the top four finishers in each, although the number of points awarded will vary from race to race. For example, if I choose Classic Empire for my stable and he goes on to win the Florida Derby (gr. I), I will earn 100 points, but if he were to instead win a race like the Holy Bull Stakes (gr. III), I would only earn 10 points. Trainer and jockey points will be awarded only if the trainer or jockey in question wins a race and not if they finish second, third, or fourth; 10 points will be awarded for each prep race that a trainer or jockey wins, regardless of the actual points available in the race, while 50 points will be awarded if your jockey or trainer wins the Kentucky Derby.
Also, each week, players will be able to designate one of their horses as a "prime" horse, and will earn double the number of points for that horse's performance that week. For example, if a player were to designate Classic Empire as their prime horse on the week of the Florida Derby and Classic Empire won the race, that player would earn 200 points, double the standard 100 points. Designating a prime horse each week will not be a requirement, but it will add a bit of additional intrigue to the contest, and give players a chance to gain extra points if they think one of their horses is ready to run a big race. To designate your prime horse each week, simply leave a comment on this page with the name of your prime horse and the race in which they are running.
Players will get a chance to add three additional horses to their stables starting on March 27th and ending on March 31st. The contest will culminate with the Kentucky Derby (gr. I) at Churchill Downs on May 7th, which will offer points on a 200-80-40-20 basis to the top four finishers. Whoever accumulates the most points by the end of the contest wins bragging rights as the Unlocking Winners Kentucky Derby Handicapper of the Year! :)
In a change from previous contests, all contest entries, stable additions, and prime horses MUST be posted on this contest page; any contest entries, stable additions, and prime horses posted on other pages or blog posts will not be accepted. In addition, players will only be allowed to join the contest during the initial joining period from December 29th to January 6th; any entries submitted after this time will not be accepted. All dates mentioned are subject to slight change depending on changes to the dates and schedule of Kentucky Derby prep races.
The complete list of contest races, along with the points available in each race, can be found here: https://www.kentuckyderby.com/horses/prep-races. Our contest will begin with the January 7th Sham Stakes (gr. III) at Santa Anita.
Good luck to all!
Contest Entries
Special thanks to Quinnbt for organizing the list of contest entries!
Akita Girl
Beasley
Classic Empire
El Areeb
Faja
Gormley
Gunnevera
Lookin At Lee
Mastery
McCraken
Painter's Rags
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Jockey: Javier Castellano
AmyK
American Anthem
Classic Empire
El Areeb
Gormley
Irish War Cry
King and His Court
McCraken
Mastery
Malagacy
Pagliacci
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Jockey: Mike Smith
Aluminaut
Classic Empire
Gormley
Gunnevera
Irish War Cry
Lookin at Lee
Mastery
McCraken
Mo Town
Sheer Flattery
Wild Shot
Jockey: Mike Smith
Trainer: Bob Baffert
American Muscle
Big Gray Rocket
Classic Empire
Gormley
Klimt
Lookin at Lee
Mastery
MCcraken
Running Mate
Singing Bullet
Wild Shot
Jockey: Corey Lanerie
Trainer: Mark Casse
Anglachel
American Anthem
Battalion Runner
Classic Empire
Dangerfield
Hemsworth
Irish Freedom
Irish War Cry
King And His Court
Mastery
McCracken
Trainer: Mark Casse
Jockey: Florent Geroux
arliss
American Anthem
Classic Empire
El Areeb
Fact Finding
Good Samaritan
Irish War Cry
Malagacy
McCraken
Mo Town
No Dozing
Jockey:Luis Saez
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
armyguy
Aikau
American Anthem
Classic Empire
Gromley
Gunnevera
Irish War Cry
Mastery
McCraken
Mout Saint Legame
Three Rules
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Jockey: Mike Smith
Betty S
American Anthem
Classic Empire
El Areeb
Gormley
Gunnevera
Irish War Cry
Malagacy
Mastery
McCraken
MoTown
Jockey: Javier Castellano
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Bill Dawson
American Anthem
Battalion Runner
Classic Empire
El Areeb
Faja
Gunnevera
Irish War Cry
Mastery
McCraken
Mo Town
Jockey: Mike Smith
Trainer: Bob Baffert
chasingmytale
Classic Empire
El Areeb
Equator
Faja
Guest Suite
Hence
J Boys Echo
Lookin At Lee
Mastery
McCraken
Jockey - Florent Geroux
Trainer - Steve Asmussen
Charlotte
American Anthem
Big Gray Rocket
Bode's Dream
Classic Empire
Cavil
Dabster
Irish War Cry
Mastery
Mo Town
Practical Joke
Jockey: Mike Smith
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Chumsmo
Beach Bum
Classic Empire
Faja
Good Samaritan
Gormley
J Boys Echo
Lookin at Lee
Mastery
McCracken
No Dozing
Jockey: FlourentGeroux
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Craig Johnson
Big Gray Rocket
Guest suite
Iliad
Irish War cry
Mastery
McCracken
Mo Town
Saints Fan
Takaful
Untrapped
Jockey: Jose Ortiz
Trainer: Steve Asmussen
Curlin08
Battalion Runner
Caucus
Classic Empire
Gormley
Guest Suite
Lookin at Lee
Mastery
McCraken
Mont Saint Legame
Mo Town
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Jockey: Mike Smith
Dr Drunkinbum
American Anthen
Big Gray Rocket
Good Samaritan
Hemsworth
Mastery
McCraken
Mo Town
No Dozing
Running Mate
Theory
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Jockey: Mike Smith
dust commander5
American Anthem
Beach Bum
Cavil
Classic Empire
Dabster
El Areeb
Irish War Cry
Loojkin at Lee
Sonic Mule
Undulated
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Jockey: Javier Castellano
Eddie Mikus
American Anthem
Beach Bum
Classic Empire
El Areeb
Hemsworth
Irish War Cry
Mastery
McCraken
Mont Saint Legame
Mo Town
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.
Eric Rickard
American Anthem
Classic Empire
Faja
Good Samaritan
Gunnevera
Klimt
Mastery
McCraken
Mo Town
Running Mate
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Jockey: Mike Smith
fitzpony
Classic Empire
El Areeb
Gormley
Gunnevera
Hootie
Mastery
McCraken
No Dozing
Practical Joke
Three Rules
Trainer: Mark Casse
Jockey: Julian Leparoux
Footlick
Classic Empire
Good Samaritan
Gormley
Iliad
J Boys Echo
Looking at Lee
Mastery
Practical Joke
Theory
Three Rules
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Jockey: Johnny Velazquez
gary26
American Anthem
Ann Arbor Eddie
Classic Empire
Gormley
Mastery
McCraken
Mo Town
No Dozing
Royal Mo
So Conflated
Trainer: Doug O'Neill
Jockey: Johnny Velázquez
JJ the TV watcher
Classic Empire
Gormley
Gunnevera
Lookin at Lee
Mastery
McCraken
Mo Town
Practical Joke
Saint's Fan
Tiz a Slam
Trainer: Mark Casse
Jockey: Irad Ortiz
Kathy Weightman
Classic Empire
El Areeb
Greatbullsoffire
Gunnevera
Irish War Cry
Lookin at Lee
Mastery
McCraken
Mo Town
Term of Art
Trainer - Mark Casse
Jockey - Mike Smith
Keelerman
Classic Empire
El Areeb
Gormley
Irish War Cry
J Boys Echo
Lookin at Lee
Mastery
McCraken
Mo Town
Saint's Fan
Jockey: Mike Smith
Trainer: Bob Baffert
latenite
American Anthem
Classic Empire
El Areeb
Gunnevera
Mastery
McCraken
Reach The World
Takeoff
Tapwrit
Totality
Jockey: Mike Smith
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Leigh
Beasley
Bitumen
Colonel Samsen
El Areeb
Gunnevera
No Dozing
O Dionysus
Random Walk
Small Bear
Three Rules
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Jockey: Julian Leparoux
Logan Baugh
Classic Empire
Gormley
Greatbullsoffire
Irish War Cry
Mastery
McCracken
Practical Joke
Proforma
Running Mate
Saint's Fan
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Jockey: Javier Castellano
MaiyaDay
Classic Empire
Fact Finding
Gormley
Gunnevera
Irish War Cry
Klimt
Mastery
McCraken
Mo Town
Practical Joke
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Jockey: Mike Smith
Mary Y
Blabimar
Classic Empire
Gunnevera
Honor And Courage
McCraken
Mo Town
No Dozing
Practical Joke
Sheer Flattery
Straight Fire
Trainer: Jerry Hollendorfer
Jockey: Jose Ortiz
Matt D.
Classic Empire
El Areeb
Guest Suite
Gunnevera
Klimt
McCracken
Mo Town
No Dozing
So Conflated
Three Rules
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Jockey: Javier Castellano
MDG
American Anthem
Classic Empire
Good Samaritan
Gunnevera
Irish War Cry
Mastery
McCracken
Mo Town
Practical Joke
Royal Mo
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Jockey: Javier Castellano
MeyerhoffsMonster
American Anthem
Classic Empire
El Areeb
Faja
Irish War Cry
Klimt
Malagacy
Mastery
McKracken
MoTown
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Jockey: Javier Castellano
mz
Bird is the Word
Classic Empire
Electro
Fact Finding
Gormley
King And His Court
Klimt
McCracken
Saint's Fan
State of Honor
Trainer: Mark Casse
Jockey: Flourent Geroux
Outside Post
Gormley
Gunnevera
J Boys Echo
Klimt
Mastery
McCraken
Mo Town
Practical Joke
Royal Mo
Third Day
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Jockey: Jose Ortiz
Pedigree Ann
American Anthem
Classic Empire
Guest Suite
Gunnevera
Hemsworth
Klimt
Lookin at Lee
Mastery
Running Mate
Sheer Flattery
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Jockey: Johnny Velasquez
Porter
American Anthem
Beach Bum
Classic Empire
Lookin At Lee
Mastery
McCraken
Mo Town
No Dozing
Tapwrit
Uncontested
Mike Smith - Jockey
Bob Baffert - Trainer
predict
Battalion Runner
Beach Bum
Classic Empire
El Areeb
Irish War Cry
Mastery
McCraken
Mo Town
Practical Joke
Rey de Oro
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Jockey: Javier Castellano
Quinnbt
American Anthem
Battalion Runner
Classic Empire
Faja
Gormley
Gunnevera
Lookin At Lee
Mastery
McCraken
Practical Joke
Trainer: Mark Casse
Jockey: Javier Castellano
Rik Est
Classic Empire
El Areeb
Good Samaritan
Gunnevera
Irish War Cry
Mastery
McCracken
Mo Town
Practical Joke
Saints Fan
Jockey: Mike Smith
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Riskaverse
Battalion Runner
Classic Empire
Faja
Gormley
Gunnevera
Iliad
Mastery
McCraken
Mo Town
No Dozing
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Jockey: Javier Castellano
ROBBIEJOE25
American Anthem
Classic Empire
Dabster
El Areeb
Hemsworth
Mastery
McCracken
Practical Joke
Running Mate
So Conflated
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Jockey: Mike Smith
Secretariat
American Anthem
Classic Empire
Dabster
Gormley
Gunnevera
Mastery
McCraken
No Dozing
Practical Joke
Warrior's Club
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Jockey: Mike Smith
shelmarka
Classic Empire
Gormley
Gunnevera
Irish War Cry
Lookin At Lee
Mastery
McCracken
No Dozing
Running Mate
Saints Fan
Jockey: Mike Smith
Trainer: Bob Baffert
smitty37
Classic Empire
Greatbulls of Fire
Irish War Cry
Mastery
McCracken
Mo Town
Practical Joke
Proforma
Saints Fan
Tapwrit
Jockey: John Velazquez
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Standby Painter
American Anthem
Classic Empire
Gormley
Irish War Cry
Lookin at Lee
Mastery
Practical Joke
Painter's Rags
Sheer Flattery
Wild Shot
Trainer: Mark Casse
Jockey: John Velazquez
The Don
American Anthem
Beach Bum
Classic Empire
Good Samaritan
Gunnevera
Irish War Cry
Mastery
McCracken
Mo Town
Theory
Trainer :Bob Baffert
Jockey: Mike Smith
Thomas McDonald
Beach Bum
Classic Empire
Good Samaritan
Irish War Cry
Mastery
McCraken
Practical Joke
Running Mate
Takaful
Theory
Trainer: Ian Wilkes
Jockey: Brian Hernandez Jr.
Tnt
Battalion Runner
Beach Bum
Classic Empire
Fact Finding
Good Samaritan
Irish War Cry
McCracken
Mastery
Mo Town
No Dozing
Jockey: Javier Castellano
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Tomskid
American Anthem
Classic Empire
Gunnerva
Klimt
Irish War Cry
Looking at Lee
McCraken
Oscar Nominated
Takaful
The Walk
Jockey: Jose Ortiz
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
trackjack
Big Hit
Classic Empire
El Areeb
Faja
Gormley
Irish War Cry
Mastery
McCraken
Mo Town
Warrior's Club
Jockey: Javier Castellano
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Van Horn
American Anthem
Battalion Runner
Classic Empire
Faja
Gunnevera
Irish Freedom
Lookin At Lee
Mastery
McCraken
Mo Town
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Jockey: Javier Castellano
War Eagle
American Anthem
Big Grey Rocket
Gunnevera
Just Move On
Mastery
McCraken
No Dozing
Reedini
Running Mate
Ticonderoga
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Jockey: Mike Smith
Wxavierh
Classic Empire
Gormley
Gunnevera
Irish War Cry
Mastery
McCraken
Mo Town
No Dozing
Practical Joke
Three Rules
Jockey: Mike Smith
Trainer: Bob Baffert
