Racing Roundtable: Early Horse of the Year debate, Kentucky Derby top 5, and Keeneland stakes

The Racing Roundtable of Ashley Anderson, James Scully, and Vance Hanson conduct an early debate on potential Horse of the Year contenders following Thorpedo Anna's Apple Blossom (G1) victory, then look over Keeneland stakes action from the weekend, and give out their Kentucky Derby (G1) top five.

Reigning 2024 Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna made her second start of her four-year-old campaign on Saturday and turned in a dominant, 4 1/4-length win in the Apple Blossom (G1) at Oaklawn Park. Now 2-for-2 as a four-year-old, the filly appears poised to defend her Horse of the Year title, but a few other contenders have emerged early in the year, including Pegasus World Cup (G1) winner White Abarrio and Santa Anita H. (G1) victor Locked.

Outside of Oaklawn, Keeneland hosted a number of stakes over the weekend, including the Maker's Mark Mile (G1), won by Chad Brown pupil Carl Spackler. Other stakes action included the Jenny Wiley (G1), where Choisya overcame an objection to score her first stakes victory stateside, and the Commonwealth (G3), won by Steve Asmussen-trained Extra Anejo.

The Road to the Kentucky Derby (G1) also came to an end Saturday in the 1 1/16-mile Lexington (G3) at Keeneland. Brendan Walsh trainee Gosger scored a two-length win and received 20 points toward the Kentucky Derby leaderboard but will not have enough points to make the final field of 20. He instead may point toward the May 17 Preakness (G1).

The final Kentucky Derby leaderboard is set, with Burnham Square leading the way, with 130 points. Arkansas Derby (G1) hero Sandman is second (129 points), followed by Santa Anita Derby (G1) winner and likely Kentucky Derby favorite Journalism (122.5), Wood Memorial champ Rodriguez (121.25), and Louisiana Derby (G2) scorer Tiztastic (119).

TwinSpires Kentucky Derby LIVE Blogs are coming!

TwinSpires Kentucky Derby LIVE blogs are on the way! We will be giving you up-to-date coverage of the post position draw, Thurby, Oaks, and Derby day! Join in the conversation after Derby and let us know who the winner of the 151st Kentucky Derby could be. 

We have a lot planned for the big day and look forward to going trackside to get behind scenes all access coverage whether you're at the track or at home.