New Names Crack The Top Contenders List In Updated Media Poll
There were expected to be a few changes in this week’s media poll after a weekend in which many of the top contenders to win the Kentucky Derby were supposed to be in action.
However, the San Felipe Stakes, which was supposed to take place at Santa Anita Park over the weekend, was cancelled due to poor weather, depriving fans of the highly anticipate showdown between Game Winner and Improbable.
Due to the cancellation of the San Felipe Stakes, trainer Bob Baffert decided to enter his top horses in the Rebel Stakes this weekend.
Unfortunately, the horses will run in two separate divisions, which means they likely won’t go head-to-head until the Kentucky Derby in May.
“Rerouting to the Rebel could end up being a blessing in disguise for Baffert,” said Horse Racing Nation’s Brian Zipse. “With split divisions almost a certainty, he may well keep Game Winner and Improbable separated until the first Saturday in May. Getting both a win and some early confidence this season would be an ideal start on the Derby trail.”
“Hats off to Oaklawn Park for picking up the ball and offering to run two divisions of the Rebel Stakes,” added The Downey Profile’s Dick Downey. “This is the way to run a racetrack.”
Kentucky Oaks & Derby Top Contenders
This week, Tampa Bay Derby winner Tacitus and Gotham Stakes winner Haikal move into the top 10 after being unranked in the first two polls, while last week’s high-riser Instagrand fell from sixth to 13th.
Here is how the rest of the top 20 Derby contenders rank in the latest media poll.
Horse (1st-place votes for Top Contenders) Points Previous
1. Game Winner (19) 594 1
2. Improbable (7) 581 2
3. War of Will (3) 537 3
4. Code of Honor 442 4
5. Bourbon War 435 7
6. Mucho Gusto 391 5
7. Tacitus 343 NR
8. Country House 312 8
9. Hidden Scroll 302 9
10. Haikal 269 NR
11. Roadster 265 12
12. Galilean (1) 259 11
13. Instagrand (1) 213 6
14. Vekoma 212 10
T15. Tax 174 14
T15. Gunmetal Gray 174 13
17. Mind Control 131 18
18. Harvey Wallbanger 128 16
19. Omaha Beach 89 NR
20. Outshine 82 NR
That being said, for the latest Kentucky Derby betting odds please review above.
