Field, odds and predictions for the 142nd Kentucky Derby

Exercise rider Andy Durnin rides Kentucky Derby entrant Trojan Nation during a workout at Churchill Downs Thursday, May 5, 2016, in Louisville, Ky. The 142nd running of the Kentucky Derby is scheduled for Saturday, May 7. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
1. Trojan Nation (126) Gryder/Gallagher 50-1 (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Exercise rider Ramiro Gorostieta rides Kentucky Derby hopeful Suddenbreakingnews during a workout at Churchill Downs Monday, May 2, 2016, in Louisville, Ky. The 142nd running of the Kentucky Derby is scheduled for Saturday, May 7. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
2. Suddenbreakingnews (126) Quinonez/Von Hemel 20-1 (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Kentucky Derby hopeful Creator gallops under exercise rider Carlos Rosas at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., Sunday, May 1, 2016. (AP Photo/Garry Jones)
3. Creator (126) Santana Jr./Asmussen 10-1 (AP Photo/Garry Jones)
Exercise rider Mario Garcia rides Kentucky Derby hopeful Mo Tom during a workout at Churchill Downs Tuesday, May 3, 2016, in Louisville, Ky. The 142nd running of the Kentucky Derby is scheduled for Saturday, May 7. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
4. Mo Tom (126) Lanerie/Amoss 20-1 (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Kentucky Derby entrant Gun Runner, ridden by exercise rider Carlos Rosas, works out at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., Thursday, May 5, 2016. The 142nd Kentucky Derby is Saturday, May 7. (AP Photo/Garry Jones)
5. Gun Runner (126) Geroux/Asmussen 10-1 (AP Photo/Garry Jones)
Kentucky Derby hopeful My Man Sam, ridden by exercise rider Daniel Bernardini, gallops at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., Monday, May 2, 2016. The 142nd Kentucky Derby is Saturday, May 7. (AP Photo/Garry Jones)
6. My Man Sam (126) Ortiz Jr./Brown 20-1 (AP Photo/Garry Jones)
Kentucky Derby entrant Oscar Nominated, ridden by exercise rider Joel Cano, gallops at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., Thursday, May 5, 2016. The 142nd Kentucky Derby is Saturday, May 7. (AP Photo/Garry Jones)
7. Oscar Nominated (126) Leparoux/Maker 50-1 (AP Photo/Garry Jones)
Exercise rider Eishu Maruuchi rides Kentucky Derby hopeful Lani during a workout at Churchill Downs Tuesday, May 3, 2016, in Louisville, Ky. The 142nd running of the Kentucky Derby is scheduled for Saturday, May 7. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
8. Lani (126) Take/Matsunaga 30-1 (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Exercise rider Ovel Merida rides Kentucky Derby hopeful Destin during a workout at Churchill Downs Wednesday, May 4, 2016, in Louisville, Ky. The 142nd running of the Kentucky Derby is scheduled for Saturday, May 7. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
9. Destin (126) Castellano/Pletcher 15-1 (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Kentucky Derby hopeful Whitmore, ridden by exercise rider Laura Moquett, is walked the wrong way on the track at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., Tuesday, May 3, 2016. The 142nd Kentucky Derby is Saturday, May 7. (AP Photo/Garry Jones)
10. Whitmore (126) Espinoza/Moquett 20-1 (AP Photo/Garry Jones)
Exercise rider Peedy Landry rides Kentucky Derby hopeful Exaggerator during a workout at Churchill Downs Wednesday, May 4, 2016, in Louisville, Ky. The 142nd running of the Kentucky Derby is scheduled for Saturday, May 7. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
11. Exaggerator (126) Desormeaux/Desormeaux 8-1 (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Kentucky Derby hopeful Tom's Ready, ridden by exercise rider Emerson Chavez, gallops at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., Monday, May 2, 2016. The 142nd Kentucky Derby is Saturday, May 7. (AP Photo/Garry Jones)
12. Tom’s Ready (126) Hernandez Jr./Stewart 30-1 (AP Photo/Garry Jones)
Exercise rider Jonny Garcia rides Kentucky Derby favorite Nyquist during a morning workout at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., Thursday, May 5, 2016. The 142nd Kentucky Derby is Saturday, May 7. (AP Photo/Garry Jones)
13. Nyquist (126) Gutierrez/O’Neill 3-1 (AP Photo/Garry Jones)
11Exercise rider Miguel Jamie rides Kentucky Derby hopeful Mohaymen during a workout at Churchill Downs Wednesday, May 4, 2016, in Louisville, Ky. The 142nd running of the Kentucky Derby is scheduled for Saturday, May 7. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
14. Mohaymen (126) Alvarado/McLaughlin 10-1 (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Exercise rider Hector Ramos rides Kentucky Derby entrant Outwork during a workout at Churchill Downs Thursday, May 5, 2016, in Louisville, Ky. The 142nd running of the Kentucky Derby is scheduled for Saturday, May 7. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
15. Outwork (126) Velazquez/Pletcher 15-1 (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Kentucky Derby entrant Shagaf, ridden by Gian Cueva, gallops at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., Thursday, May 5, 2016. The 142nd Kentucky Derby is Saturday, May 7. (AP Photo/Garry Jones)
16. Shagaf (126) Rosario/Brown 20-1 (AP Photo/Garry Jones)
Kentucky Derby entrant Mor Spirit, ridden by George Alvarez, gallops at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., Thursday, May 5,  2016. The 142nd Kentucky Derby is Saturday, May 7. (AP Photo/Garry Jones)
17. Mor Spirit (126) Stevens/Baffert 12-1 (AP Photo/Garry Jones)
Kentucky Derby entrant Majesto, ridden by exercise rider J.J. Delgado,       walks at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., Thursday, May 5,   2016. The 142nd Kentucky Derby is Saturday, May 7. (AP Photo/Garry Jones)
18. Majesto (126) Jaramillo/Delgado 30-1 (AP Photo/Garry Jones)
Jockey Tammy Fox rides Kentucky Derby hopeful Brody's Cause for trainer Dale Romans in a light rain at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., Saturday, April 30, 2016.  (AP Photo/Garry Jones)
19. Brody’s Cause (126) Saez/Romans 12-1 (AP Photo/Garry Jones)
Exercise rider Rolando Quinones rides Kentucky Derby entrant Danzing Candy at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., Thursday, May 5, 2016. The 142nd Kentucky Derby is Saturday, May 7. (AP Photo/Garry Jones)
20. Danzing Candy (126) Smith/Sise 15-1 (AP Photo/Garry Jones)
(1/20)
Exercise rider Andy Durnin rides Kentucky Derby entrant Trojan Nation during a workout at Churchill Downs Thursday, May 5, 2016, in Louisville, Ky. The 142nd running of the Kentucky Derby is scheduled for Saturday, May 7. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Exercise rider Ramiro Gorostieta rides Kentucky Derby hopeful Suddenbreakingnews during a workout at Churchill Downs Monday, May 2, 2016, in Louisville, Ky. The 142nd running of the Kentucky Derby is scheduled for Saturday, May 7. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Kentucky Derby hopeful Creator gallops under exercise rider Carlos Rosas at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., Sunday, May 1, 2016. (AP Photo/Garry Jones)
Exercise rider Mario Garcia rides Kentucky Derby hopeful Mo Tom during a workout at Churchill Downs Tuesday, May 3, 2016, in Louisville, Ky. The 142nd running of the Kentucky Derby is scheduled for Saturday, May 7. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Kentucky Derby entrant Gun Runner, ridden by exercise rider Carlos Rosas, works out at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., Thursday, May 5, 2016. The 142nd Kentucky Derby is Saturday, May 7. (AP Photo/Garry Jones)
Kentucky Derby hopeful My Man Sam, ridden by exercise rider Daniel Bernardini, gallops at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., Monday, May 2, 2016. The 142nd Kentucky Derby is Saturday, May 7. (AP Photo/Garry Jones)
Kentucky Derby entrant Oscar Nominated, ridden by exercise rider Joel Cano, gallops at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., Thursday, May 5, 2016. The 142nd Kentucky Derby is Saturday, May 7. (AP Photo/Garry Jones)
Exercise rider Eishu Maruuchi rides Kentucky Derby hopeful Lani during a workout at Churchill Downs Tuesday, May 3, 2016, in Louisville, Ky. The 142nd running of the Kentucky Derby is scheduled for Saturday, May 7. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Exercise rider Ovel Merida rides Kentucky Derby hopeful Destin during a workout at Churchill Downs Wednesday, May 4, 2016, in Louisville, Ky. The 142nd running of the Kentucky Derby is scheduled for Saturday, May 7. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Kentucky Derby hopeful Whitmore, ridden by exercise rider Laura Moquett, is walked the wrong way on the track at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., Tuesday, May 3, 2016. The 142nd Kentucky Derby is Saturday, May 7. (AP Photo/Garry Jones)
Exercise rider Peedy Landry rides Kentucky Derby hopeful Exaggerator during a workout at Churchill Downs Wednesday, May 4, 2016, in Louisville, Ky. The 142nd running of the Kentucky Derby is scheduled for Saturday, May 7. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Kentucky Derby hopeful Tom's Ready, ridden by exercise rider Emerson Chavez, gallops at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., Monday, May 2, 2016. The 142nd Kentucky Derby is Saturday, May 7. (AP Photo/Garry Jones)
Exercise rider Jonny Garcia rides Kentucky Derby favorite Nyquist during a morning workout at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., Thursday, May 5, 2016. The 142nd Kentucky Derby is Saturday, May 7. (AP Photo/Garry Jones)
11Exercise rider Miguel Jamie rides Kentucky Derby hopeful Mohaymen during a workout at Churchill Downs Wednesday, May 4, 2016, in Louisville, Ky. The 142nd running of the Kentucky Derby is scheduled for Saturday, May 7. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Exercise rider Hector Ramos rides Kentucky Derby entrant Outwork during a workout at Churchill Downs Thursday, May 5, 2016, in Louisville, Ky. The 142nd running of the Kentucky Derby is scheduled for Saturday, May 7. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Kentucky Derby entrant Shagaf, ridden by Gian Cueva, gallops at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., Thursday, May 5, 2016. The 142nd Kentucky Derby is Saturday, May 7. (AP Photo/Garry Jones)
Kentucky Derby entrant Mor Spirit, ridden by George Alvarez, gallops at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., Thursday, May 5,  2016. The 142nd Kentucky Derby is Saturday, May 7. (AP Photo/Garry Jones)
Kentucky Derby entrant Majesto, ridden by exercise rider J.J. Delgado,       walks at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., Thursday, May 5,   2016. The 142nd Kentucky Derby is Saturday, May 7. (AP Photo/Garry Jones)
Jockey Tammy Fox rides Kentucky Derby hopeful Brody's Cause for trainer Dale Romans in a light rain at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., Saturday, April 30, 2016.  (AP Photo/Garry Jones)
Exercise rider Rolando Quinones rides Kentucky Derby entrant Danzing Candy at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., Thursday, May 5, 2016. The 142nd Kentucky Derby is Saturday, May 7. (AP Photo/Garry Jones)

WASHINGTON — Thirty-seven years.

It seemed as if it would never happen, but last year, for the first time since Affirmed galloped to victories in the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes, we had ourselves a Triple Crown winner.

Is it really possible that Nyquist, the heavy favorite in this year’s Kentucky Derby, could accomplish what most of us thought was unthinkable a few years ago and repeat American Pharoah’s run from last year?

We’ll find out about the first step in the 142nd running of the Kentucky Derby Saturday at Churchill Downs.

Details:

Post time: 6:34 p.m.

Distance: 1 1/4 miles

Purse: $2 million

TV: NBC

If you’re heading up to Pimlico or Laurel in search of some action, here’s how I see it playing out:

WIN: Nyquist

Simply put, the undefeated 3-year-old hasn’t done much wrong coming into Saturday. One knock is that he wants to control the pace and wants to dominate over other horses. If someone gets in front of him, he’ll want to be in the mix, and you can’t win the Derby that way. It’s just his dynamic.

That being said, Nyquist is a very versatile horse and the champion thoroughbred can claim that he’s raced seven times at four different tracks in California, Kentucky and Florida and has landed in the winner’s circle every time. He’s also already beaten seven of the 19 competitors he’ll face this Saturday head-to-head.

PLACE: Outwork

No pun intended, of course (Editor’s Note: No?), but I believe Outwork will be outworked late in the Kentucky Derby to finish second, which is not a bad spot for the winner of the Wood Memorial at Aqueduct. The conditions that day were quite muddy and I wish I could have seen him perform on a faster track, but Outwork would have been unbeaten in four starts if he did not come in second in the Tampa Derby. Plus, what does it say when his Hall of Fame Jockey John Velazquez picked this inexperienced horse to ride in that TB Derby over higher profile stablemate Destin because of his belief in Outwork’s potential?

I won’t go as far as former President Clinton in picking Outwork to win, but he should challenge Nyquist late and make for an exciting finish.

SHOW: Creator

The winner of this year’s Arkansas Derby, Creator is a solid closer who is bred for long distances. Although it took this horse six starts to finally get a win, one might think that his continuous improvement bodes well for his chances at Churchill Downs.

We still might not know exactly where his talent level is at, but Creator is dangerous and if he’s able to save his energy for the final 3/8ths or quarter mile, watch out!

If you bring $50 to the track with you this weekend, here’s how you can make some plays:

  • $10 Straight Win — 15
  • $2 Trifecta Box (Costs $12) — 13, 15, 3
  • $1 Superfecta Box (Costs $24) — 13, 15, 3, 11
  • $2 Exacta Box (Costs $4) — 13, 15
Chris Cichon

Chris Cichon (aka "The Big Chee on WTOP") has been a sports anchor with WTOP since 2013. In addition to reporting on sports, Chris coaches football at Towson High School in Maryland.

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