Kentucky Derby 2022 Kentucky Derby Rankings 1/6/2022: Newgrange Enters Rankings After Impressive Victory January 8, 2022 Newgrange (Credit: Benoit Photo) Kentucky Derby 2022 Kentucky Derby Rankings 1/6/2022: Newgrange Enters Rankings After Impressive Victory January 8, 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 first list: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. 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 2022.3. 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. EpicenterPros: Impressive stakes winner, seemingly getting better with distanceCons: As of now, not much, but will the competition be strong at Fair Grounds?Outlook: He won 2 in a row after a very impressive Gun Runner Stakes at Fair Grounds. 5. 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.6. 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. 7. 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 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; his next step will be a large jump up in class.Outlook: 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. 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. 15. PappacapPros: Consistent runner; Grade 2 winnerCons: Three clear losses when jumping up to the Grade 1 levelOutlook: 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. 16. 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 17. 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 18. RockefellerPros: Distance pedigree; room to improve; Bob BaffertCons: Low speed figures; didn’t beat much in his stakes victory; was a distant second in the Sham Stakes (G3).Outlook: We might be seeing his limitations after a lackluster effort in the Sham Stakes (G3). Also, his Nashua Stakes (G3) victory looks bad now as nobody has come back to win out of that race. 19. Courvoisier Pros: Has a win going 1 1/8 miles; great pedigreeCons: Speed figures are very lowOutlook: It’s all about improvement with this one. He’s still fairly slow from a speed figure standpoint, but he has a top-notch pedigree and should improve as the distances get longer. 2022 Kentucky Derby Contenders: Courvoisier 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.
College Football Week 11 and NFL Week 10 Picks | Dudes Who Bet Sports 214 Aaron & Papa Dude give their College Football picks for… Read More
Official Breeders’ Cup 2024 Picks | Blinkers Off 692 The Racing Dudes preview and give picks for the 41st… Read More
Jon White Breeders’ Cup 2024 Interview and Picks | Blinkers Off 691 The Racing Dudes interview Jon White, former Santa Anita, Del… Read More
Breeders’ Cup Classic and Football Picks | Dudes Who Bet Sports 213 Aaron & Papa Dude give their College Football picks for… Read More
Breeders’ Cup 2024 Pre-Entries Analysis | Blinkers Off 690 The Racing Dudes dive into the 2024 Breeders’ Cup pre-entries… Read More
Breeders’ Cup 2024 Top 5 Performances Aaron gives his Top 5 Breeders’ Cup performances from the… Read More
Who is the 2024 3-Year-Old Male of the Year? Aaron gives his thoughts on who should be the 2024… Read More
College Football Week 11 and NFL Week 10 Picks | Dudes Who Bet Sports 214 Aaron & Papa Dude give their College Football picks for… Read More