Epic Ride jockey, trainer, odds and more to know about Kentucky Derby 2024 horse
Tuesday marked the first scratch of the 2024 Kentucky Derby as Encino was removed from the Run for the Roses for fear of a soft tissue strain in his front right leg. In Encino's place comes Epic Ride, a 30-1 longshot to win the Derby, but we've seen crazier.
It has taken a series of defections and scratches in order for Epic Ride to get to this point. Encino was just the last domino that needed to fall. Epic Ride was not even first in line to take a spot in the Derby. That belonged to Common Defense. However, Common Defense was pulled due to a "minor issue." That was the first departure that Epic Ride needed. Well, it all came together and you can bet Welch Racing is going to take advantage as much as possible.
Here's everything to know about 2024 Kentucky Derby racer, Epic Ride.
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Epic Ride: Trainer, Jockey, Owner and Pedigree
Trainer: John Ennis
Jockey: Adam Beschizza
Owner: Welch Racing
Sire: Blame
Blame is famous for having one of the most historic Churchill Downs performers of all-time. Blame raced five different times at Churchill Downs, winning four times with one third-place finish. Blame's most famous win at the venue was his win at the 2010 Breeders' Cup Classic.
Dam: Pick a Time
Bred: Kentucky
Epic Ride record: Past performances and career earnings
Past performances:
Date | Track | Race | Finish | Speed |
12/8/23 | Turfway Park | Maiden Special Weight | 2 | 87 |
1/5/24 | Turfway Park | Maiden Special Weight | 1 | N/A |
2/2/24 | Turfway Park | Leonatus Stakes | 1 | 91 |
3/2/24 | Turfway Park | John Battaglia Memorial | 2 | 94 |
4/6/24 | Keeneland | Blue Grass Stakes | 3 | 96 |
Career Earnings: $253,166
Epic Ride: Predictions, odds and analysis
Predictions: KentuckyDerby.com see a sub-top 10
All but one of the KentuckyDerby.com experts have Epic Ride out of the top 10. The lone exception is contributing writer to TwinSpires and KentuckyDerby.com, Vance Hanson. He has Epic Ride gliding to a No. 8 finish.
John Ennis: Epic Ride could surprise fans toward the end of the year
Ennis is obviously biased, given that he is Epic Ride's trainer. However, Ennis provided some insight into Epic Ride, and why the horse could seriously turn heads at Churchill Downs during an interview on Wednesday. Ennis claimed that Epic Ride performs better on dirt than on any synthetic materials, which is backed up by Epic Ride's strong third-place finish on real dirt at the Blue Grass Stakes in April. Epic Ride finished very closely behind Derby favorites Sierra Leone and Just a Touch in that race, so perhaps similar surfaces and competition will bode well for Epic Ride bettors.
Odds: 30-1
Post number: 20
Kentucky Derby 2024: Latest field odds
Looking to bet: Wager on the Kentucky Derby with FanDuel
Odds via CBS Sports:
Fierceness (5-2)
Sierra Leone (3-1)
Catching Freedom (8-1)
Forever Young (10-1)
Just a Touch (10-1)
Dornoch (20-1)
Mystik Dan (20-1)
Just Steel (20-1)
Honor Marie (20-1)
Track Phanton (20-1)
Stronghold (20-1)
Resilience (20-1)
Catalytic (30-1)
Epic Ride (30-1)
T O Password (30-1)
Endlessly (30-1)
Domestic Product (30-1)
Grand Mo the First (50-1)
Society Man (50-1)
West Saratoga (50-1)
Kentucky Derby 2024: TV, streaming and where to watch
When: Saturday, May 4
Coverage starts: 2:30 p.m. ET
Post time: 6:57 p.m. ET
Where: Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky
TV: NBC
HOW TO WATCH: See the 2024 Kentucky Derby with a subscription to Peacock
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Kentucky Derby horses 2024: Epic Ride
