Kentucky Derby 2022 Kentucky Derby Rankings 1/27/2022: Call Me Midnight Makes Presence Felt January 27, 2022 Call Me Midnight (Credit: Hodges Photography) Kentucky Derby 2022 Kentucky Derby Rankings 1/27/2022: Call Me Midnight Makes Presence Felt January 27, 2022 By: Aaron Halterman twitterfacebooklinkedinemail Share: share on facebook share on twitter share on linkedin email this article Welcome to the 2022 Kentucky Derby Rankings! Each week leading up to the race, we will provide our Top 20 Kentucky Derby Prospects, as well as updates with the latest news on each horse.You can also visit our Kentucky Derby page for loads of information, including the latest news, rankings, prep race schedules, the Kentucky Derby point standings, and much more! 2024 Kentucky Derby Let’s take a look at our latest list leading up to this weekend’s Southwest Stakes (G3) at Oaklawn Park:1. Smile HappyPros: Perfect record; graded stakes victory over the Churchill Downs surfaceCons: Speed figures still a bit low; not sure what he’s faced yetOutlook: His Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2) victory was pretty impressive. He showed a burst of speed late in both starts so far. We’ll seem in the Risen Star Stakes (G2) at Fair Grounds for his 2022 debut. 2022 Kentucky Derby Contenders: Smile Happy 2. Corniche Pros: Undefeated; Bob Baffert; Champion JuvenileCons: Speed figures are low; competition he’s faced is sketchy Outlook: He’ll be the champion 2-year-old with ease while being the clear Kentucky Derby favorite heading into 2022. However, the level of competition that he has faced is still a little questionable. 3. NewgrangePros: Recent win was impressive; speed figures are close to what the top group has earnedCons: Only two races under his belt; his competition has been suspect. Outlook: If this horse continues to progress, he will be one worth watching, as he has the look of a colt that could be pretty solid. His Sham Stakes (G3) victory seemed effortless. 2022 Kentucky Derby Contenders: Newgrange 4. Jack Christopher Pros: Most talented horse in the crop so farCons: Sprinter pedigree; injured before the Breeders’ CupOutlook: After watching several replays, he looks to be the most talented, but distance is a major question mark. He’ll be behind schedule a bit as well with an injury, which is an increasing concern with each passing week.5. Slow Down AndyPros: Improved greatly in his last start; distance pedigreeCons: Other than 1 race, he’s looked extremely averageOutlook: If his Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) win wasn’t a fluke and he can build off of that effort, then he will be a factor. 6. Doppelganger Pros: Solid debut effort at Los Alamitos Cons: Must improve next out from a speed figure standpoint Outlook: This horse looked pretty professional on debut, sitting a little off the pace, and then pouncing late for an easy debut victory. 2022 Kentucky Derby Contenders: Doppelganger 7. EpicenterPros: Three solid races in a row; has the early speed needed to be in position Cons: Recent loss to a 28/1 shot in the Lecomte Stakes (G3)Outlook: There is still a lot to like about this Steve Asmussen runner, despite the recent runner-up effort in the Lecomte Stakes (G3). He did the dirty work in that one, and should improve as the distances get longer. 2022 Kentucky Derby Contenders: Epicenter 8. Mo DonegalPros: Excellent pedigree; victory going longCons: Unimpressive speed figures; Remsen winner hasn’t done much in a long time on the Derby Trail. Outlook: His Remsen Stakes (G2) win was workman-like, and while that race hasn’t produced much on the Derby Trail, it was still a solid win.9. American Icon Pros: Impressive debut victory, Todd PletcherCons: Lack of experience, no races around two turns yetOutlook: He was awesome on debut, but how will he do when he moves up the ladder? That will be the big question. 2022 Kentucky Derby Contenders: American Icon 10. EmmanuelPros: Solid debut effort at Gulfstream ParkCons: Speed figure wasn’t great; missed scheduled next step with a feverOutlook: His debut effort at Gulfstream Park was good enough to make him interesting moving forward; however, he must show improvement. 2022 Kentucky Derby Contenders: Emmanuel New: free sports picks for all the biggest games in the NFL, NCAA, NHL, NBA, and more! Cash Big At The Kentucky Derby With Us There’s a reason we’re the #1 trusted source for premium racing picks & info. Find Out Why 11. MessierPros: Stakes winner; Bob BaffertCons: Recent loss not a good lookOutlook: Losing as the heavy favorite is never a good thing, so we’ll see if he can bounce back from a runner-up effort in the Los Alamitos Derby (G2). 2022 Kentucky Derby Contenders: Messier 12. Rattle N RollPros: Impressive victories going two turns; Grade 1 winnerCons: An injury has him behind scheduleOutlook: He has the talent, but the key will be how quickly he can get healthy and get back on the track. 13. Make It BigPros: Undefeated in three starts, all victories were decisive Cons: Class remains a question markOutlook: He passed his first test with flying colors, shipping to Remington Park and winning the Springboard Mile Stakes. He earned an 84 Beyer for the victory, which is solid for that time of year. 2022 Kentucky Derby Contenders: Make It Big 14. Call Me MidnightPros: Solid victory in the Lecomte Stakes (G3); Solid trainerCons: Several losses on the resume; running style Outlook: He threw his name into the hat with an impressive victory in the Lecomte Stakes (G3); however, his running style of coming from behind will always leave him with a lot to do. 15. ZandonPros: Solid in both of his starts so far; should improve Cons: Low speed figuresOutlook: His runner-up effort in the Remsen Stakes (G2) was impressive considering it was his first time going two turns. If he can improve, he might be one that can rise up the rankings. 16. PappacapPros: Consistent runner; Grade 2 winnerCons: Four clear losses when running against solid competitionOutlook: He seems like the type that will hit the board in a lot of races, but might not be good enough to win one of the big ones. Until proven otherwise, that is how we’re going to label him. 17. SimplificationPros: Earned solid speed figure in recent win; has a distance pedigree Cons: Has been inconsistent; hasn’t faced much yetOutlook: His impressive Mucho Macho Man Stakes victory puts him on the map; however, he must prove he can do it against better horses and around two turns. 2022 Kentucky Derby Contenders: Simplification 18. Dash Attack Pros: Undefeated 2 for 2; multiple victories over an off trackCons: Speed figures still a little low; pedigree going longer is iffyOutlook: This horse is the star Oaklawn Park meet so far, breaking his maiden on opening weekend, then coming back to win the Smarty Jones Stakes. We’ll see how he performs once they distances begin to get longer. 2022 Kentucky Derby Contenders: Dash Attack 19. Chasing TimePros: Impressive win going two turns; solid pedigreeCons: Speed figures are still lowOutlook: He made a name for himself with an impressive win against allowance runners at Oaklawn Park. Now, he will likely go to the Rebel Stakes (G2), where he will have to prove he can do it against tougher competition. 2022 Kentucky Derby Contenders: Chasing Time 20. Oviatt ClassPros: Looks like a “hit the board and close late” type that can pick up checks; should like longer distances. Cons: Unsuccessful against stakes company many timesOutlook: This is your way too early “hit the board at a price” horse for the Kentucky Derby. He seems like the one that is always going to be closing down the lane picking off tired horses.
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