3 May 2014, 11 AM – 4 PM EST NBCSN Kentucky Derby Prep TV Schedule:

Kentucky Derby TV Schedule: 3 May 2014, 4 – 7 PM EST NBC

Location: Churchill Downs

Distance: Mile and a Quarter

Purse: $2 Million Guaranteed

We are just a few short weeks away from the 140th edition of the Kentucky Derby. The major prep races have been concluded and the list of horses is stacked by points they have earned to date. The Greatest Two Minutes in Sports will be the proving ground. For some it will be a culmination of three years of breeding, training and excitement. For others, the 140th Run for the Roses will prove elusive and they will not have a post position on the first Saturday in May.

The required points have been netted, the entry fees are paid and the American obsession is about to be fulfilled for another year. Enter the 140th edition of the Kentucky Derby and the opening race of the Triple Crown. Gone are the grading stakes earnings that were used to decide the 20 horse field. Kentucky Derby 140 is the second year using the points based system.

Betting philosophies will vary at greater lengths than Republicans and Democrats debate policy. Many “handicappers” will make use of split times, pedigree data and dosage numbers believing they have recipe to hit it big. Many others will step to the window hoping to pick a winner thru the “scientific” use of favorite colors, favorite numbers or naming that just sound to good not to win. Whatever the chosen method there will be millions of people standing tall or sitting on the edge of their seats as 20 thoroughbreds turn for home in the most exciting two minutes in sports.

No matter the number of horses entered, the starting gate will only hold 20. However, there are still 39 horses technically still alive for a Run for the Roses. Some major contenders will not run, others may succumb to an injury but have no fear, on Derby Day, there will be 20 horses in the starting gate for Kentucky Derby 140. Below is a list of the 39 horses still on the Derby Trail.

Rank Horse Trainer Points 1 California Chrome Art Sherman 150 2 Vicar's in Trouble Mike Maker 120 3 Dance With Fate Peter Eurton 108 4 Wicked Strong Jimmy Jerkens 102 5 Samraat Rick Violette Jr. 100 6 Danza Todd Pletcher 100 7 Constitution Todd Pletcher 100 8 Hoppertunity Bob Baffert 95 9 Intense Holiday Todd Pletcher 93 10 Wildcat Red Jose Garrofalo 90 11 We Miss Artie Todd Pletcher 60 12 Ride on Curlin Billy Gowan 55 13 Chitu Bob Baffert 54 14 Tapiture Steve Asmussen 52 15 Midnight Hawk Bob Baffert 52 16 Ring Weekend H. Graham Motion 50 17 General a Rod Mike Maker 40 18 Medal Count Dale Romans 40 19 Candy Boy John Sadler 30 20 Cairo Prince Kiaran McLaughlin 24 21 Uncle Sigh Gary Contessa 24 22 Vinceremos Todd Pletcher 20 23 Harry's Holiday Mike Maker 20 24 Commanding Curve Dallas Stewart 20 25 Pablo Del Monte Wesley Ward 20 26 Bayern Bob Baffert 20 27 Social Inclusion Manny Azpurua 20 28 Big Bazinga Katerina Vassilieva 14 29 Coastline Mark Casse 13 30 Strong Mandate D. Wayne Lukas 11 31 In Trouble Tony Dutrow 10 32 Noble Moon Leah Gyarmati 10 33 Cleburne Dale Romans 10 34 Commissioner Todd Pletcher 10 35 Schiverelli Eddie Kenneally 10 36 Conquest Titan Mark Casse 9 38 Casiguapo Mario Morales 5 39 Asserting Bear Reade Baker 5

Not since Affirmed in 1978 has a horse won the Triple Crown. Orb fell to Oxbow at the Preakness Stakes last year after an impressive run to victory at the 2013 edition of the Kentucky Derby. I’ll Have Another was the last horse to attempt the feat in 2012. He won the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness but was scratched due to injury before the Belmont and retired to stud.

Every horse entering the starting gate will be vying to become the 12th horse to ever win the Triple Crown. Will one of this year’s entrants make the hallowed list? One talented horse will have a shot when all the owners, trainers, jockeys and fans go to bed on Saturday night after the dust has settled from Kentucky Derby 140. Sit back and relax and enjoy the Sport of Kings, enjoy the most exhilarating two minutes in sports and if you are lucky, win a couple of dollars doing it. Below is the list of the 11 Triple Crown winners throughout history.

Year Name Jockey 1919 Sir Barton John Loftus 1930 Gallant Fox Earl Sande 1935 Omaha William Saunders 1937 War Admiral Charley Kurtsinger 1941 Whirlaway Eddie Arcaro 1943 Count Fleet John Longden 1946 Assault Warren Mehrtens 1948 Citation Eddie Arcaro 1973 Secretariat Ron Turcotte 1977 Seattle Slew Jean Cruguet 1978 Affirmed Steve Cauthen 2015 American Pharoah Victor Espinoza

After the post draw check back to read this writers opinion on who will win Kentucky Derby 140 as well as a breakdown of each contender or pretender in the field. Here at Sports Unbiased we will not charge you. You will get the picks and betting strategies for free because we like you and believe in information, at no cost, to our readership.