KENTUCKY DERBY 149
When: Saturday, post time 5:57 p.m.
Where: Churchill Downs, Louisville, Ky.
TV: NBC (Ch. 11) and Peacock, beginning with undercard races at 11 a.m.
At Canterbury Park: The Shakopee track doesn't begin its live racing season until May 27, but it will be open Saturday for simulcast wagering and viewing. The racebook opens at 8 a.m., with the Derby undercard beginning at 9:30 a.m. A Kentucky Derby party with live music and contests begins at noon. Admission to the party is $10.
The field: Forte (3-1 morning line) is a solid favorite. He's already earned $2.4 million, and he enters the Derby on a five-race win streak, including scores in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile and Florida Derby. But there is still plenty of intrigue in the 20-horse field.
Tapit Trice (5-1) has won four in a row, and Angel of Empire (8-1) turned heads with his victories in the Risen Star and Arkansas Derby. Japan's Derma Sotogake (10-1) has generated some buzz, while Kingsbarns (12-1) is undefeated in three starts. With a deep field, other talented horses are likely to go off at high odds, raising the possibility of an upset winner — like Rich Strike, who won last year's Derby at 80-1 odds.
Minnesota connections: Zozos, owned by Barry and Joni Butzow of Eden Prairie, will return to Churchill Downs for the $175,000 Knicks Go Stakes on the Derby undercard (race 6). The 5-2 morning-line favorite, Zozos finished 10th in last year's Kentucky Derby and has won twice since then. The Knicks Go also includes Surly Furious, owned by Joe Novogratz of Chanhassen.
