Kentucky Derby 2022 Kentucky Derby Rankings 12/29/2021: Epicenter On The Map With Victory December 29, 2021 Epicenter (Credit: Coady Photography) Kentucky Derby 2022 Kentucky Derby Rankings 12/29/2021: Epicenter On The Map With Victory December 29, 2021 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. Epicenter put himself squarely on the map with his victory in last week’s Gun Runner Stakes.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: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. 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. 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. 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.8. Unpredictable BayPros: Maiden victory last time earned a high speed figure; solid distance pedigree Cons: Took 7 races to break his maiden; questionable connections Outlook: We’ll see if relatively unknown trainer Alnaz Ali can keep this horse on the improve in 2022. It took a while to break the maiden, but it was a pretty nice effort when he finally did it. 9. 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 10. 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 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 this 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. My PranksterPros: Recent win was impressive; speed figures are consistentCons: Failed against stakes company more than once, could be a sprinterOutlook: This horse continues to run consistent races even though he’s failed twice against stakes company. He might be the favorite in the early stakes at Gulfstream Park. 16. Kid Corleone Pros: Maiden win was impressive; Doug O’NeillCons: Progression needed after lone victoryOutlook: We’ll need to see him progress as we go along, but his recent maiden win was impressive, and O’Neill usually can get the most out of his horses. 17. TrademarkPros: Two wins over the Churchill Downs surfaceCons: Speed figures are lowOutlook: I’m on the fence with this guy until we see more. He certainly has proven to be classy, but can he break through and win a big race? 18. 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. 19. RockefellerPros: Distance pedigree; room to improve; Bob BaffertCons: Low speed figures; didn’t beat much in his stakes victory. Outlook: He shipped to Aqueduct and won the Nashua Stakes (G3), which was a solid victory. He is back on the work tab at Santa Anita now.20. Sir LondonPros: Impressive maiden victoryCons: Took 3 races to break his maidenOutlook: He performed well in his first 3 starts but only won once, which is a little concerning.
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