Now that the Belmont Stakes has finally settled, all eyes are going to be on the Kentucky Derby. Instead of being the usual launching Triple Crown event, the Derby will serve as the second installment, which will happen on September 5, 2020. Like the Belmont Stakes, there are no audiences allowed inside the Churchill Downs to abide by the strict quarantine rules.
As the Kentucky Derby starts in less than three months, we expect 20 horses on the field to vie for the Derby title. Along with this, the Belmont Stakes finishers will inevitably participate in continuing their quest for the Triple Crown title. Also, Tiz The Law, who won the Belmont, will be one of the favorites for the Run For The Roses.
While it’s true that the Belmont Stakes favorites are strong entries to bet the Kentucky Derby 2020, underdogs should never be disregarded. That said, let’s meet the underrated colts that will compete in the Derby, who can emerge as dark horses and might win the title instead.
Fore Left
Fore Left has participated in the Belmont Stakes and took home the 9th spot. He was one of the underdogs yet managed to stay on top and placed significantly. In the upcoming Derby, he takes another shot in this Grade 3 Stakes event, hoping to clinch the title. Fore Left was a Sunny Slopes Stakes winner and a superstar in the UAE Two Thousand Guineas Stakes.
Farmington Road
Representing the Chrysalis Stables LLC. Farmington Road has competed in the Belmont Stakes and finished in 8th place. He’s one of the low favorites but decisive to hustle in the upcoming Kentucky Derby. Farmington Road is an entry by Todd Pletcher, who was a second-place finisher during the Arkansas Derby.
Basin
Basin takes a trip bound to Churchill Downs this September bringing colorful horse racing achievement. He might have missed the Belmont Stakes but will surely give it all during the Run For The Roses. He’s a Steve Asmussen entry who won in the Runhappy Stakes and second in the Arkansas Derby.
Maxfield
Maxfield is another horse who didn’t shine at the Belmont Stakes and returns as one of the dark horses to watch out in the Derby. He is an undefeated horse by Brendan P. Walsh, who nailed the Grade 3 Matt Winn Stakes. Apart from that, he also took home the bacon in the Grade 1 Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity.
Wells Bayou
Entering the Kentucky Derby as an underdog, the odds might be on Well Bayou’s favor in September. This colt has spent six horse racing games since birth, and half of it was titles. He is Florent Geroux’s entry in the Run For The Roses, who placed 5th in the Arkansas Derby. His other achievements include a second-place finish in the Southwest Stakes and a championship title he earned at the Louisiana Derby.
Tap It To Win
Mark E. Casse’s Tap It To Win is another underdog KentuckyDerby hopeful you must consider in choosing. He took part in the Belmont Stakes last June and garnered the 5th place. His other achievements include a 10th place finish in the Street Sense Stakes and Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity.
Silver Prospector
Silver Prospector dazzled in many stakes races this year and will run for the Kentucky Derby. This colt is a huge consideration in the Derby as he can display surprising speed variation that can edge other horses on the field. Silver Prospector was a Southwest Stakes winner and a Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes titleholder.
Dennis’ Moment
This Iroquois Stakes winner is taking a shot in the upcoming Kentucky Derby. He is one of the underdogs that you must underestimate as he made two victories out of the five racing games he did since birth. Dennis’ Moment is an entry by Dale Romans who saddled up in the Fountain of Youth Stakes and got the tenth place.
Modernist
Modernist played in the Belmont Stakes and ended in 7th place. He is trained by William I. Mott, who wants to take another chance in the Derby to take the crown hopefully. This colt has contended many stakes races, including the Risen Star Stakes, where he won. Also, he wrestled in the Louisiana Derby and took home the third prize.
Gouverneur Morris
Completing the list of Kentucky Derby underdog hopefuls is Gouverneur Morris. He also missed the Belmont Stakes but will surely participate in the Run For The Roses. Gouverneur Morris is another Pletcher’s entry, which ended a third-place finish in the Arkansas Derby. Aside from that, he was a fourth-place finisher in the Florida Derby held at Gulfstream Park.
Takeaway
In horse racing like the Kentucky Derby, the favorites are always considered to win the tournament. However, in most cases, underdogs can come out as dark horses and victorious at the conclusion of the show. That’s why, when you look for a deserving Kentucky Derby winner, don’t forget the underrated horses above as one of them can shine the brightest.
