Kentucky Derby 2017 Update: Gunnevera moves to the top of the heap

Mastery, my top ranked Kentucky Derby 2017 since November 2016, looked sensational in his San Felipe return but the unbeaten colt sustained a condylar fracture (left front leg) and is off the Derby trail.

Mastery looked every bit a major Derby contender on Saturday, leaving talented rivals Iliad and Gormley in the dust. With Mastery out and McCraken and Classic Empire working their way back from injury, the road to the Derby is in total disarray.

Tapwrit looked strong visually in the Tampa Bay Derby but there was not much behind him and if anything the Top 4 finishers flattered Sam F. Davis hero McCraken. The latter is my new number one Derby contender by default. 

This week’s Derby points race is the Rebel Stakes from Oaklawn Park. Bob Baffert has owned this race recently and American Anthem is his entrant this year. The lightly raced colt is the morning line favorite under Mile Smith.

Other Rebel contenders include Uncontested (Smarty Jones winner), Petrov (Southwest runner-up), Untrapped (Risen Star runner-up), and Royal Mo (Robert Lewis winner).

Jarrod Horak’s “Exceptional Eleven" Kentucky Derby 2017 Contenders (Updated 3-18-17)

#1 - GUNNEVERA

#2 - McCraken

#3 - Three Rules

#4 - Practical Joke

#5 - Royal Mo

#6 - Battalion Runner

#7 - Tapwrit

#8 - Irish War Cry

#9 - El Areeb

#10 - Gormley

#11 - Classic Empire


You can read my entire Kentucky Derby 2017 contenders update blog at The Runaway Horse.

* Churchill Downs photo by Stacy Edwards 

HRN Handicapping Video of the Week: Rebel Stakes with American Anthem and Petrov

The road to Kentucky Derby 2017 makes another stop at Oaklawn Park and American Anthem is the morning line favorite for trainer Bob Baffert. 

Kentucky Derby 2017 Prep Race Video: San Felipe, Tampa Bay Derby Recap + Rebel Stakes Preview

My longtime top ranked Kentucky Derby 2017 contender Mastery made a successful return to the races in the San Felipe Stakes on March 11 but jockey Mike Smith pulled him up shortly after the finish line and he is off the Derby trail with a condylar fracture.

Tapwrit ran away with the Tampa Bay Derby and flattered the form of the Sam F. Davis Stakes (won by McCraken).

This week's Derby prep is the Rebel Stakes from Oaklawn Park and trainer Bob Baffert's American Anthem is the one to beat.