20-horse field for Derby dash
{{date|May 7, 2005}}
[[Image:Thoroughbred.jpg|180px|right|Thoroughbred horse]]

The 131st run for the roses in [[w:Louisville, Kentucky|Louisville, KY]] is set for Saturday at [[w:Churchill Downs|Churchill Downs]]. Post time is 6:04pm [[w:EDT|EDT]] under what should be partly sunny skies and a fast track. The 20-horse field contains 10 strong contenders in what promises to be a fast pace out front in the [[w:Kentucky Derby|Kentucky Derby]].

Trainer Nick Zito, the 2-time derby winner boasts 5 stable horses running the race, and has the odds-on favorite '''''Bellamy Road'''''. The [[w:George Steinbrenner|George Steinbrenner]] owned horse won convincingly in  4 of its last 5 trips.  At its #16 post position, it will have to get out quickly, or be on the outside going into the first turn where it would have to fight for position. Given the early starting speed of '''''Spanish Chestnut''''', it seems unlikely that any horse will easily set the pace.

Showing strong closing in its last 4 races is '''''Bandini''''', ridden by top [[w:New York|New York]] jockey John Velazquez, a 6-time Breeder's Cup winner. If this horse can hold onto the pace, watch for him at the finish line.

For today's 1 ¼ mile race, Jeremy Rose on '''''Afleet Alex''''' looks dangerous, where both horse and jockey are  experienced. But it was '''''Wilko''''' who prevailed in their meeting at the Breeders' Cup Juvenile last October.

A [[w:Chicago Tribune|''Chicago Tribune'']] computer analysis predicts a win for '''''High Fly''''', based on its “lack of flaws”.  In that prediction they note criteria on which it was calculated, but nothing accounts for the race day excitement of roaring crowds in these 3-year-old thoroughbreds.

Last year the jammed Churchill Downs drew 140,000 people on a rainy Saturday to watch [[w:Smarty Jones|'''''Smarty Jones''''']] win. The Derby run is the first leg in [[w:USA|USA]] horse racing's [[w:Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing|Triple Crown]]. The last horse to win the triple crown was [[w:Affirmed|'''''Affirmed''''']] in 1978.

==Related news==
*{{Wikinews|title=Kentucky Derby field chart
|date=May 7, 2005}}
==Sources==
*{{source|url=http://www.usatoday.com/sports/horses/triple/derby/2005-05-05-favorite-focus_x.htm 
|title=Derby focus on Bellamy Road
|author=Tom Pedulla
|pub=USA Today
|date=May  5, 2005}}
*{{source|url= http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/20050506-1139-rac-derby-runningtherace.html
|title=Kentucky Derby field loaded with speed, stalkers
|author=Beth Harris, AP
|pub=SanDiego.com
|date=May 6, 2005}}
*{{source|url= http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/writers/tim_layden/05/06/derby.picks/
|title=Betting against the super-horse
|author=Tim Layden
|pub=SI.com
|date=May 6, 2005}}
*{{source|url= http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/chi-0505060229may06,1,3574294.story?coll=chi-sportsnew-hed&ctrack=1&cset=true
|title=High Fly's lack of flaws make him computer pick
|author=Liam Durbin
|pub=Chicago Tribune
|date=May 6, 2005}} (subscription)
==External links==
*{{source|url=http://www.kentuckyderby.com/2005/ 
|title=Kentucky Oaks 131!
|author=
|pub=Kentucky Oaks
|date=May 2005}}
*{{source|url= http://www.kentuckyderby.com/2005/derby_coverage/derby_news/
|title=Derby News
|author=
|pub=Kentucky Oaks
|date=May  2005}}
*{{source|url= http://www.kentuckyderby.com/2005/derby_coverage/derby_entrants/
|title=Derby Contenders
|author=
|pub=Kentucky Oaks
|date=May  2005}}

 
{{archive}}
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[[Category:Horse racing]]
[[Category:published]]
Thoroughbred horse

The 131st run for the roses in Louisville, KY is set for Saturday at Churchill Downs. Post time is 6:04pm EDT under what should be partly sunny skies and a fast track. The 20-horse field contains 10 strong contenders in what promises to be a fast pace out front in the Kentucky Derby.

Trainer Nick Zito, the 2-time derby winner boasts 5 stable horses running the race, and has the odds-on favorite 'Bellamy Road'. The George Steinbrenner owned horse won convincingly in  4 of its last 5 trips.  At its #16 post position, it will have to get out quickly, or be on the outside going into the first turn where it would have to fight for position. Given the early starting speed of 'Spanish Chestnut', it seems unlikely that any horse will easily set the pace.

Showing strong closing in its last 4 races is 'Bandini', ridden by top New York jockey John Velazquez, a 6-time Breeder's Cup winner. If this horse can hold onto the pace, watch for him at the finish line.

For today's 1 ¼ mile race, Jeremy Rose on 'Afleet Alex' looks dangerous, where both horse and jockey are  experienced. But it was 'Wilko' who prevailed in their meeting at the Breeders' Cup Juvenile last October.

A Chicago Tribune computer analysis predicts a win for 'High Fly', based on its “lack of flaws”.  In that prediction they note criteria on which it was calculated, but nothing accounts for the race day excitement of roaring crowds in these 3-year-old thoroughbreds.

Last year the jammed Churchill Downs drew 140,000 people on a rainy Saturday to watch 'Smarty Jones' win. The Derby run is the first leg in USA horse racing's Triple Crown. The last horse to win the triple crown was 'Affirmed' in 1978.
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