Meet the 20 horses running in the 2022 Kentucky Derby

Trainer/Jockey: Todd Pletcher/Irad Ortiz Jr.

Career wins: 3

Recent result: 1st at Wood Memorial

One thing to know: Mo Donegal was impressive his last time out with a win at the Wood Memorial, but a horse hasn't won the Kentucky Derby out of the first gate since Ferdinand did it in 1986. In a field as crowded as the Derby, starting right on the rail isn't easy.

Trainer/Jockey: Doug O'Neill/Rafael Bejarano

Career wins: 1

Recent result: 3rd at Santa Anita Derby

One thing to know: Happy Jack finished behind two other Derby horses at the Santa Anita Derby last month, trailing both Taiba and Messier. He'd need to make a big leap between then and the starting gate on Saturday to be a factor at Churchill Downs.

Trainer/Jockey: Steve Asmussen/Joel Rosario

Career wins: 4

Recent result: 1st at Louisiana Derby

One thing to know: Epicenter enters the Kentucky Derby as a potential favorite, winning four of his past five starts dating back to November 2021. At the Louisiana Derby, he topped a talented field that included Kentucky Derby contenders Zozos and Pioneer of Medina. Jockey Joel Rosario knows what it takes to win at Churchill Downs, having ridden Orb to victory at the 2013 Kentucky Derby.

Trainer/Jockey: Bhupat Seemar/Mickael Barzalona

Career wins: 2

Recent result: 2nd at UAE Derby

One thing to know: Summer Is Tomorrow might start fast, but it's doubtful he'll be a factor come the homestretch on Saturday. Expect his odds to be much longer than 30/1 by post time.

Trainer/Jockey: Ken McPeek/Corey Lanerie

Career wins: 2

Recent result: 2nd at Blue Grass Stakes

One thing to know: Smile Happy ran a solid race at the Blue Grass Stakes, finishing second despite running on the outside through the majority of the race. If things break his way from the fifth gate, he could be a factor for your trifecta.

Trainer/Jockey: Tim Yakteen/John Velazquez

Career wins: 3

Recent result: 2nd at Santa Anita Derby

One thing to know: Trainer Tim Yakteen is stepping in to take care of Bob Baffert's Kentucky Derby contenders as Baffert serves a suspension handed down after Medina Spirit's failed drug test last year. In Messier, Yakteen has a horse that could make waves. In six career starts, Messier has never finished lower than second.

Trainer/Jockey: Kochi Shintani/Christophe Lemaire

Career wins: 3

Recent result: 1st at UAE Derby

One thing to know: UAE Derby winners have not fared well at the Kentucky Derby in recent years. Plus Que Parfait finished eighth in 2019 after winning the UAE Derby, and Mendelssohn finished dead last at the 2018 Kentucky Derby. Crown Pride has the speed to improve on those results, but he still might struggle to hit the board.

Trainer/Jockey: Todd Pletcher/Luis Saez

Career wins: 1

Recent result: 2nd at Florida Derby

One thing to know: Charge It ran a brilliant race at the Florida Derby, showing off some impressive closing speed and maneuvering through traffic to finish just a half-length off of White Abbario. If jockey Luis Saez gives him a good ride this weekend, Charge It could be a longshot to watch.

Trainer/Jockey: Ken McPeek/Brian Hernandez Jr.

Career wins: 5

Recent result: 1st at Jeff Ruby Stakes

One thing to know: Tiz The Bomb has an impressive record, but four of his five wins have come on synthetic surfaces or turf. He has the speed to contend, but will need to show something on dirt that he hasn't shown in some time if he's to pull off the upset.

Trainer/Jockey: Chad Brown/Flavien Prat

Career wins: 2

Recent result: 1st at Blue Grass Stakes

One thing to know: Along with Epicenter, Zandon is one of the two horses that could go off as the favorite on Saturday. Zandon's record is limited but impressive, with a win over several Derby contenders at the Blue Grass Stakes that showed his ability to kick into fifth gear and leave the pack in the dust. Jockey Flavien Prat is riding well, and could end the day covered in roses with a good race.

Trainer/Jockey: Todd Pletcher/Joe Bravo

Career wins: 2

Recent result: 3rd at Louisiana Derby

One thing to know: Pioneer of Medina has faced Kentucky Derby talent in both of his past two races, and finished third and fourth respectively. His odds will be long enough to make him a worthy inclusion on your trifecta bets, but would need a perfect race and a few extra breaks along the way in order to win.

Trainer/Jockey: Tim Yakteen/Mike Smith

Career wins: 2

Recent result: 1st at Santa Anita Derby

One thing to know: Taiba is undefeated, but has only raced two times in his career. Jockey Mike Smith has won the Kentucky Derby twice already, and at 56, could become the oldest jockey to ever win the race should he and Taiba prevail on Saturday.

Trainer/Jockey: Antonio Sano/Jose Ortiz

Career wins: 3

Recent result: 3rd at Florida Derby

One thing to know: Simplification led the Florida Derby coming out of the final turn, but was ultimately chased down by fellow Kentucky Derby contenders Charge It and White Abbario. Coming out of the 13th gate, Simplification could battle near the front of the pack at Churchill Downs if given the right ride, but he'll need to hold off closers better than he did his last time out.

Trainer/Jockey: John Ortiz/Reylu Gutierrez

Career wins: 2

Recent result: 2nd at Arkansas Derby

One thing to know: Barber Road has not won any of his past five starts, but has finished second in four of those races. Those looking to juice their trifectas and superfectas might include him at the bottom, but don't expect him to win.

Trainer/Jockey: Saffie Joseph Jr./Tyler Gaffalione

Career wins: 4

Recent result: 1st at Florida Derby

One thing to know: White Abbario is a gorgeous grey you can't miss coming out of the gate. Winner of four of his five career starts, he has strong closing speed and has come out on top against Kentucky Derby competition in his past two outings. The only loss of White Abbario's career came at Churchill Downs last year — can he find redemption on the same track this weekend?

Trainer/Jockey: Brad Cox/Florent Geroux

Career wins: 3

Recent result: 1st at Arkansas Derby

One thing to know: Jockey Florent Geroux ultimately won last year's Kentucky Derby on the back of Mandaloun after Medina Spirit was disqualified weeks following the actual race. Still, this year with Cyberknife, Geroux would undoubtedly prefer to get a win that can be celebrated in the winner's circle.

Trainer/Jockey: Brian Lynch/Julien Laparoux

Career wins: 3

Recent result: 11th at Florida Derby

One thing to know: No horse has ever won the Kentucky Derby running out of the 17th gate. Barring a minor miracle, Classic Causeway won't become the first to do it on Saturday.

Trainer/Jockey: Brad Cox/Ricardo Santana Jr.

Career wins: 3

Recent result: 1st at Lexington Stakes

One thing to know: Tawny Port has already raced twice since the start of April, but if you're a believer in his talent, he could steal a trifecta spot on Saturday.

Trainer/Jockey: Brad Cox/Manny Franco

Career wins: 3

Recent result: 2nd at Louisiana Derby

One thing to know: Given his opening speed, Zozos is far more likely to be a factor in the first half of the race than the second.

Trainer/Jockey: D. Wayne Lukas/Luis Contreras

Career wins: 1

Recent result: 4th at Lexington Stakes

One thing to know: Ethereal Road has won just one race in seven career starts. Coming out of the 20th gate, he'd need quite a miraculous ride to secure the second win of his career at the Kentucky Derby.