The field is set for Saturday’s 142nd running of the Kentucky Derby. DO YOU HAVE A HORSE YET?! Come on, it doesn’t matter if you follow horse racing, don’t care for it, or don’t even plan to place a wager, you’re going to watch and you’d better have a Derby horse.

Why? It’s pretty simple: if your horse loses it’s just one of the other 19 losers…you tried, oh well.

But if he wins, well, then you’ll look and feel like a genius. Go you.

There are numerous ways to go about picking your horse, some more logical than others. But in a race like the Derby, where horses are tested mentally and physically like never before, throw logic out the window and go with your gut.

If reading the racing form isn’t your thing, consider a few of these angles:

If you like grays

Is this the Kentucky Derby for you. There are 4 grays entered in this year’s Derby, thanks in large part to North America’s top sire Tapit, who passed on his coat to Creator, Lani and Mohaymen. The other gray is Destin, by Giant’s Causeway. Take your pick.

Creator

Creator

 

If you like the Detroit Red Wings, or just being a frontrunner

Then go all in on Nyquist, named in honor of Red Wings forward Gustav Nyquist by owner Paul Reddam. This is also the colt you want to back if you simply enjoy winners. He’s undefeated in 7 starts and is the highest earning horse to ever start in the Kentucky Derby with over $3 million to his balance sheet. He’s the clear horse to beat.

nyquist-work

Nyquist

 

If you like Bob Baffert, Gary Stevens or Pennsylvania…

You have your horse in Mor Spirit. Baffert will be going for his 5th career Kentucky Derby and second in a row, while 53-year-old Gary Stevens is gunning for his 4th. Seriously, 53?! This PA-bred colt is a model of consistency, never finishing worse than 2nd in all 7 career starts.

Bob Baffert's Derby runner Mor Spirit soaking in some bath time.

Bob Baffert’s Derby runner Mor Spirit soaking in some bath time.

 

If you are from Queens

Why not root for hometown boy Mike Repole, breeder and owner of Wood Memorial winner Outwork? The self-made Repole got into the horse business after banking in big as the co-founder of Vitamin Water, and among his big successes was Uncle Mo, who sired Outwork and fellow Derby 142 runners Mo Tom and Nyquist.

 

If you are from New Orleans or your name is Tom

Then surely you can get behind Mo Tom or Tom’s Ready, named for owner Tom Benson who also happens to own the NFL’s New Orleans Saints and the NBA’s New Orleans Pelicans. He also probably owns some nice cars, a yacht and a closet full of fine seersucker suits.

Mo Tom is dialed in in preparation for the Kentucky Derby.

Mo Tom is dialed in in preparation for the Kentucky Derby.

 

If you like arms trafficking

You’ll probably be pulling for Gun Runner, the lively chestnut who won both the Risen Star and Louisiana Derby, and looks like a colt on the improve for talented young jockey Florent Geroux.

Gun Runner

Gun Runner

 

If you like sudden breaking news

You’ll really like Suddenbreakingnews, the redundantly named gelding who likes to close from way off the pace and seems like the type who will relish the added distance.

The late running and redundantly named Suddenbreakingnews kicking into high gear.

The late running and redundantly named Suddenbreakingnews kicking into high gear.

 

If you are a film aficionado…

Look no further than longshot Oscar Nominated. The son of Kitten’s Joy has proven to be formidable on grass and synthetic surfaces, but has never raced on the dirt. Perhaps, here in the year of “Revenant” Leo, this nominee is poised to breakthrough.

 

If you like hyperbole

Well then you have to get on board with Exaggerator. He is the best horse ever, after all. Overemphasis aside, this strapping son of Curlin is a solid choice to take the Roses if he can duplicate his impressive romp in the Santa Anita Derby a month ago. While this is the first Kentucky Derby for trainer Keith Desormeaux, the jockey, Keith’s little brother Kent, has won this race three times (Real Quiet ’98, Fusaichi Pegasus ’00, Big Brown ’08).

Kentucky Derby contender Exaggerator shows off his powerful stride.

Kentucky Derby contender Exaggerator shows off his powerful stride.

 

If you like education

And who doesn’t, then you can get behind Brody’s Cause, whose owner Dennis Albaugh has pledged to donate his winnings to the Des Moines Area Community College, for which he is a graduate. Mighty fine of ya.

Kentucky Derby runner Brody's Cause looking as strong as ever.

Kentucky Derby runner Brody’s Cause looking as strong as ever.

 

If you’re Venezuelan

Then you have to pull for Majesto, trained by native Gustavo Delgado. Though this is Deldago’s first American Triple Crown race, he has won Venezuela’s Triple Crown three times. The man knows his way around a horse. Or, there’s always this angle:

 

 

If you are none of these things then maybe you can find your own reasons to back the likes of My Man Sam, Whitmore, Shagaf, Trojan Nation or Danzing Candy. When it comes to the Kentucky Derby, you can’t go wrong. Unless of course, you don’t pick anyone. “I hope they all win!” That’s just a whole lotta lame.

So, who ya got?