Fierceness, Sierra Leone Lead Contenders in Richest-Ever Kentucky Derby
Churchill Downs has announced a significant $2 million increase in prize money for the 2023 Kentucky Derby, making it the richest edition of the iconic race in its history.
The race will feature a field of 20 horses, including Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner Fierceness, who will start from post position No. 17, and Sierra Leone, the second choice, who will start from post position No. 2.
Fierceness, trained by Todd Pletcher, is seeking to become the third Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner to also win the Kentucky Derby, while Sierra Leone, trained by Chad Brown, must overcome the No. 2 post position, which hasn’t produced a Kentucky Derby winner since 1978.
Other contenders include Dornoch, a full brother to 2023 Kentucky Derby winner Mage; Mystik Dan, who has won twice in his career, including the Grade III Southwest Stakes; Catalytic, who finished second to Fierceness in the Grade I Florida Derby; and Just Steel, a son of Triple Crown winner Justify.
Honor Marie, trained by Whit Beckman, is a late addition to the field, having secured a spot with a second-place finish in the Grade II Louisiana Derby.
Japanese horses T O Password and Victoire Pisa will also compete, but they face an uphill battle, as no horse running in both the UAE Derby and Kentucky Derby has finished within the top three since 2000.
The Kentucky Derby will be held on Saturday, May 6 at 6:57 p.m. Eastern on NBC.
Post Positions and Jockeys:
* 1. Fierceness (Todd Pletcher, John Velazquez)
* 2. Sierra Leone (Chad Brown, Tyler Gaffalione)
* 3. Dornoch (Danny Gargan, Luis Saez)
* 4. Mystik Dan (Kenny McPeek, Brian Hernandez Jr.)
* 5. Pioneer of Medina (Brad Cox, Flavien Prat)
* 6. Catalytic (Saffie Joseph Jr., Jose Ortiz)
* 7. Just Steel (D. Wayne Lukas, Keith Asmussen)
* 8. Honor Marie (Whit Beckman, Ben Curtis)
* 9. Just a Touch (Brad Cox, Florent Geroux)
* 10. Encino (Brian Cox, Axel Concepcion)
* 11. T O Password (Daisuke Takayanagi, Katsuma Sameshima)
* 12. Victoire Pisa (Yoshito Yahagi, Ryusei Sakai)
* 13. Track Phantom (Steve Asmussen, Joel Rosario)
* 14. West Saratoga (Larry Demeritte, Jesus Castanon)
* 15. Endlessly (Michael McCarthy, Umberto Rispoli)
* 16. Instant Coffee (Brad Cox, Brian Hernandez Jr.)
* 17. Grand Mo the First (Victor Barboza Jr., Emisael Jaramillo)
* 18. Stronghold (Phil D’Amato, Antonio Fresu)
* 19. Early Voting (Chad Brown, Irad Ortiz Jr.)
* 20. Tawny Port (Danny Gargan, Frankie Dettori)
