What The Jockeys Aboard This Year’s Kentucky Derby Runners Will Be Wearing
By Margaret Ransom
**UPDATED TO REFLECT THE SCRATCH OF EARLY FAVORITE OMAHA BEACH AND LONGSHOT HAIKAL**
The Kentucky Derby is nothing if not colorful. From the fashion to the saddle towels and even the red roses draped over the winner of the most prestigious event in horse racing, nothing is more colorful than the silks carried to post by each of the Kentucky Derby contenders representing each owner. The history of silks goes even farther back than the 145-year history of the Run for the Roses itself.
When organized horse racing first began in the early 18th century, there were no such things as program numbers, public address systems or closed circuit television. When England’s King Charles II first assembled race meets on the plains of Hempstead, the dukes and the barons had trouble figuring out which horse was which so they adopted racing silks – or colors – to distinguish their jockeys for easier viewing. And because they were made out of silk, they were referred to as “silks” and have kept the moniker since.
During the time of King Charles II, silks designs were simple. Red for one duke, black for another duke, orange for one earl, white for another earl, and so on. Today, since there are so many owners, silks have become even more colorful. The jockeys’ room at Churchill Downs houses thousands of silks, which are hung on pegs in the order of each jockey’s races for that day.
Following are the official silks for the runners for this year’s 145th running of the Kentucky Derby, in post position order with updated morning line odds and connections. Please note that due to the scratch of #12 Omaha Beach, all runners to the outside of him in the gate will move in one spot. All runners to the inside #11 Haikal will now move out one spot in the gate, leaving the innermost post position open.
All betting numbers will remain the same (click each image to enlarge):
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- 1. War of Will. 15-1 (War Front—Visions of Clarity, by Sadler’s Wells) Owned by: Gary Barber Trained by: Mark Casse Ridden by: Tyler Gaffalione Bred by: Flaxman Holdings Ltd. (KY) (will break from post position 2)
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- 2. Tax, 20-1 (Arch–Toll, by Giant’s Causeway) Owned by: Reeves Thoroughbreds, R.A. Hill Stable, Hugh Lynch & Corms Racing Trained by: Danny Gargan Ridden by: Junior Alvarado Bred by: Claiborne Farm & Adele Dilschneider (KY) (will break from post position 3)
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- 3. By My Standards, 15-1 (Goldencents–A Jealous Woman, by Muqtarib) Owned by: Allied Racing LLC Trained by: Bret Calhoun Ridden by: Gabriel Saez Bred by: Don Ladd (KY) (will break from post position 4)
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- 4. Gray Magician, 50-1 (Graydar–Burg Berg, by Johannesburg) Owned by: Wachtel Stable, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Gary Barber Trained by: Peter Miller Ridden by: Drayden Van Dyke Bred by: Twin Creeks Farm (KY) (will break from post position 5)
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- 5. Improbable, 5-1 (City Zip—Rare Event, by A.P. Indy) Owned by: WinStar Farm LLC, China Horse Club Ltd. and Starlight Racing Trained by: Bob BaffertRidden by: Irad Ortiz Jr.Bred by: St. George Farm & G. Watts Humphrey Jr. (KY) (will break from post position 6)
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- 6. Vekoma, 15-1 (Candy Ride–Mona de Momma, by Speightstown)Owned by: R.A. Hill Stable & Gatsas StablesTrained by: George WeaverRidden by: Javier CastellanoBred by: Alpha Delta Stables LLC (KY) (will break from post position 7)
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- 7. Maximum Security, 8-1 (New Year’s Day–Lil Indy, by Anasheed) Owned by: Gary and Mary West Trained by: Jason Servis Ridden by: Luis Saez Bred by: Gary and Mary West (KY) (will break from post position 8)
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- 8. Tacitus, 8-1 (Tapit–Close Hatches, by First Defense) Owned by: Juddmonte Farms Inc. Trained by: Bill Mott Ridden by: Jose Ortiz Bred by: Juddmonte Farms Inc. (KY) (will break from post position 9)
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- 9. Plus Que Parfait, 30-1 (Point of Entry–Belvedera, by Awesome Again) Owned by: Imperial Racing Trained by: Brendan Walsh Ridden by: Ricardo Santana Bred by: Callaway Stables LLC (KY) (will break from post position 10)
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- 10. Cutting Humor, 30-1 (First Samurai–Pun, by Pulpit) Owned by: Starlight Racing LLC Trained by: Todd Pletcher Ridden by: Corey Lanerie Bred by: Dell Hancock & Bernie Sams (KY) (will break from post position 11)
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- Haikal, SCRATCHED
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- Omaha Beach, SCRATCHED
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- 13. Code of Honor, 12-1 (Noble Mission–Reunited, by Dixie Union)Owned by: W. S Farish Trained by: Shug McGaughey Ridden by: John Velazquez Bred by: W.S. Farish (KY) (will break from post 12)
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- 14. Win Win Win, 12-1 (Hat Trick–Miss Smarty Pants, by Smarty Jones) Owned by: Live Oak Plantation Trained by: Michael Trombetta Ridden by: Julien PimentelBred by: Live Oak Plantation (FL) (will break from post 13)
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- 15. Master Fencer (JPN), 50-1 (Just A Way–Sexy Zamurai, by Deputy Minister) Owned by: Katsumi Yoshizawa Trained by: K. Tsunoda Ridden by: Julien Leparoux Bred by: Katsumi Yoshizawa (JPN) (will break from post 14)
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- 16. Game Winner, 9-2 (Candy Ride—Indyan Giving, by A.P. Indy) Owned by: Gary and Mary WestTrained by: Bob BaffertRidden by: Joel RosarioBred by: Summer Wind Equine (KY)(will break from post 15)
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- 17. Roadster, 5-1 (Quality Road–Ghost Dancing, by Silver Ghost) Owned by: Speedway Stables Trained by: Bob Baffert Ridden by: Florent Geroux Bred by: Stone Farm (KY) (will break from post 16)
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- 18. Long Range Toddy, 30-1 (Take Charge Indy—Pleasant Song, by Unbridled’s Song) Owned by: Willis Horton Racing LLC Trained by: Steve Asmussen Ridden by: Jon Court Bred by: Willis Horton Racing LLC (KY) (will break from post 17)
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- 19. Spinoff, 30-1 (Hard Spun–Zaftig, by Gone West) Owned by: Wertheimer and Frere Trained by: Todd Pletcher Ridden by: Manny Franco Bred by: Wertheimer et Frere (KY) (will break from post 18)
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- 20. Country House, 30-1 (Lookin at Lucky–Quake Lake, by War Chant) Owned by: Mr & Mrs. J. V. Shields, E.J.M. McFadden Jr. & LNJ Foxwoods Trained by Bill Mott Ridden by: Flavien Prat Bred by: J. V. Shields (KY) (will break from post 19)
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- 21. Bodexpress, 30-1 (Bodemeister–Pied A Terre, by City Zip) Owned by: Top Racing LLC, Global Thoroughbreds and GDS Stable Trained by: Gustavo Delgado Ridden by: Chris Landeros Bred by: Martha Jane Mulholland (KY) (will break from post 20)