2022 Kentucky Derby Field - Mo Donegal
Last Updated: 05/04/2022 at 2:45 PM ET
Mo Donegal (10-1) will carry Irad Ortiz Jr. in the saddle on Saturday and is Todd Pletcher trained. Mo Donegal has a career record of three wins and two thirds in just five starts, with career earnings of $621,803. Donegal is one of the most qualified thoroughbreds in the Kentucky Derby, finishing in the money in each of five starts and a winner of two graded stakes events.
Mo Donegal also has plenty of stamina with both of his stakes wins at 1 ⅛ mile, which is only a furlong shorter than Saturday’s ‘run for the roses.” Pletcher has had 59 horses enter the Kentucky Derby which is the most by any trainer and has two victories, two seconds and four thirds. Jockey Ortiz Jr. has not yet won a Derby and 2019 was his best finish at fourth.
Mo Donegal has had a troubled or slow start in four out of five events but is as good a closer as there is in the race. Mo Donegal was unlucky in Monday’s gate draw as he drew the “1 hole,” which will mean he must reach the first turn in good position, even though he is usually a slow starter.
Mo Donegal won his last Kentucky Derby prep race, the Wood Memorial, by a neck over Early Voting and beat Zandon, the morning-line favorite for Saturday, last December in the Remsen Stakes. Mo Donegal’s credentials are impeccable but by drawing an inside post, he will have to have his best race of his career on Saturday at Churchill Downs to reach the winner’s circle.
Mo Donegal is at 10-1 and has as good as if not better credentials than any of the other horses in Saturday’s field. Look for Mo Donegal to reach the first turn near the front, sit off the pace down the back stretch, close in on the turn and make a strong run down the stretch on Saturday.
