Iron Liege, Gallant Man, Round Table, Bold Ruler. That was the order of finish in the 1957 Kentucky Derby, memorable for the storied racing names it left as its legacy.
"I could see any of 8 or 10 of these colts this year going on to be superstars," trainer Gary Jones said. "I just don't know which ones yet."Most of the trainers here agree this is the strongest Kentucky Derby field in years, perhaps since 1957. It's arguable.
Jones kept his undefeated filly, Lakeway, out of the Derby because of the strong field. "If you're going to try to win the Derby with a filly, you'd like to have a little weaker group," he said.
On Thursday, 15 3-year-old colts were entered for the 11/4-mile Derby, including 8-5 early favorite Holy Bull, winner of the Florida Derby and Blue Grass, and 3-1 second choice Brocco, the Santa Anita Derby and Breeders Cup Juvenile winner.
Of the field, 13 are stakes winners and the only two non-stakes winners, Blumin Affair and Strodes Creek, have placed in Grade I stakes. Among them, they have 26 stakes victories.
"I kind of wish I had my 3-year-old in a different year," said Dick Mandella, who trains San Felipe winner Soul Of The Matter for owner-songwriter Burt Bacharach.
"You can go quite a ways down this field, and anybody can have their day. And that's probably what it'll come down to. All these horses have done just enough to prove how good they are."
In post-position order, the field is Soul Of The Matter, Valiant Nature, Powis Castle, Holy Bull, Ulises, Mahogany Hall, Strodes Creek, Go For Gin, Tabasco Cat, Brocco, Smilin Singin Sam, Southern Rhythm, Blumin Affair, Meadow Flight and Kandaly.
Holy Bull's trainer, Jimmy Croll, said he had been hoping to draw the No. 5 post position. "Five is our lucky number," Croll said.
"Four is close enough," Croll's wife, Bobbie, said.
All starters will carry 126 pounds, and if they all go to post at 3:30 p.m. MDT Saturday, the total purse will be $888,800, with $638,800 going to the winner.