He finished second to Tapit Trice in the Blue Grass Stakes on April 8. The colt, who is trained by Cox, has two wins in six career races. If Verifying hopes to follow the same path, he'll need to outrace some strong competition at the Derby. He won the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness and Belmont Stakes in 2018, becoming only the 13th horse to achieve the prestigious feat. Verifying's sire is Justify, the most recent Triple Crown champion. Mandarin Hero (pedigree: Shanghai Bobby and Namura Nadeshiko) Verifying (pedigree: Justify and Diva Delite)Įxtra Anejo (pedigree: Into Mischief and Superioritycomplex) Kingsbarns (pedigree: Uncle Mo and Lady Tapit) The former has won five consecutive events, with his most recent victory coming in the Florida Derby on April 1.ĭerma Sotogake is the least experienced of the top contenders, having raced only twice, but the colt is coming off his first career win at the UAE Derby on March 25. Angel of Empire has four wins in six career races, including the Arkansas Derby on April 1.įorte (six wins in seven races) and Tapit Trice (four wins in five) are strong competitors as well. The two colts should be among the front-runners this year.Īngel of Empire is also trained by a former Kentucky Derby-winning trainer in Brad Cox, who was victorious with Mandaloun in 2021.

Practical Move (pedigree: Practical Joke and Ack Naughty)įorte and Tapit Trice are both trained by Todd Pletcher, who won the Kentucky Derby in 2010 (Super Saver) and 2017 (Always Dreaming). Tapit Trice (pedigree: Tapit and Danzatrice)Īngel of Empire (pedigree: Classic Empire and Armony's Angel)ĭerma Sotogake (pedigree: Mind Your Biscuits and Amour Poesie) Forte (pedigree: Violence and Queen Caroline)

Crown duel book