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Kentucky Derby 2017 horses list

By Dave Stevenson

May 7, 2016; Louisville, KY, USA; Mario Gutierrez aboard Nyquist (13) races past Mike Smith aboard Danzing Candy (20) during the 142nd running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports
May 7, 2016; Louisville, KY, USA; Mario Gutierrez aboard Nyquist (13) races past Mike Smith aboard Danzing Candy (20) during the 142nd running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports /
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Here’s a full list of all of the horses running in the 2017 Kentucky Derby on Saturday, May 6. 

The 143rd annual Kentucky Derby is the unofficial start of the horse racing season. It’s also the first leg of the infamous Triple Crown, which includes winning all three of the major races. In 2017, the Derby will see a wide-open, 20-horse field. Each horse and their jockey will be trying to start their Triple Crown off on the right foot.

Here’s a full list of the 20 horses expected to participate, according to the Louisville Courier-Journal.

1. Girvin
2. Classic Empire
3. Always Dreaming
4. Irap
5. Irish War City
6. Thunder Snow
7. Gunnevera
8. Practical Joke
9. J Boys Echo
10. State of Honor
11. Tapwrit
12. Hence
13. Fast and Accurate
14. McCracken
15. Battle of Midway
16. Patch
17. Untrapped
​18. Lookin at Lee
19. Sonneteer
20. Gormley

The Courier-Journal notes Royal Mo and Local Hero could each earn spots as well, but they are projected to be the last two horses out of the field. Classic Empire and Always Dreaming are listed as the favorites at 5-1 odds according to Horse Racing Nation. However, it’s mostly a wide open race, with five horses owning at least 10-1 odds and nine besting 20-1 odds.

Saturday will mark the start of the Derby finals. Whoever wins will have a huge target on their back for the Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes. 2017’s version will feature a guaranteed prize of $2 million. The best three-year old males from America will be racing each other. Nyquist won the Kentucky Derby last year, but failed to win in the Preakness or Belmont. American Pharaoh is the last Triple Crown winner, doing so in 2015.

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This year’s field should make for a very exciting start to the Triple Crown season. There’s no obvious favorite like in recent years, so that should make for a fun race.

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