Nearly half the field for Kentucky Derby, Oaks has ties to Marion County once again

At least nine horses competing in the upcoming Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks this week have ties to Marion County, including several graduates from Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company auctions.

According to a press release issued by OBS, nine graduates have been entered in the 152nd Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks, which both take place this weekend at Churchill Downs (700 Central Avenue, Louisville).

The $1.5 million Kentucky Oaks is scheduled for Friday, May 1, with a post time of 8:40 p.m. EST, followed by the $5 million Kentucky Derby on Saturday, May 2, at approximately 6:57 p.m. EST.

Five OBS graduates are featured in the main 20-horse field for the Kentucky Derby, with one additional horse currently listed as also eligible. Those horses include:

• Intrepido (50-1): Winner of the Grade 1 American Pharoah Stakes, purchased for $385,000 at the 2025 OBS April Sale.
• So Happy (15-1): Winner of the Santa Anita Derby (G1), purchased for $150,000 at the 2025 OBS March Sale.
• The Puma (10-1): Winner of the Grade 3 Tampa Bay Derby, purchased for $150,000 at the 2025 OBS April Sale.
• Silent Tactic (20-1): Winner of the Southwest Stakes (G3), purchased for $500,000 at the 2025 OBS April Sale.
• Further Ado (6-1): Winner of the Grade 1 Blue Grass Stakes, purchased for $550,000 at the 2025 OBS April Sale.
• Corona de Oro: Listed as also eligible, this horse was a $100,000 purchase from the 2024 OBS October Yearling Sale.

Three OBS graduates are also set to compete in the 14-starter field for the Kentucky Oaks:

• Counting Stars (8-1): Winner of the Fantasy Stakes (G2), purchased for $150,000 at the 2025 OBS April Sale.
• My Miss Mo (20-1): Second-place finisher in the Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2), purchased for $320,000 at the 2025 OBS March Sale.
• Dazzling Dame (30-1): Winner of the Busanda Stakes, purchased for $45,000 at the 2025 OBS March Sale.

OBS has a long history of producing champions, including three Kentucky Derby winners in Lil E Tee (1992), Silver Charm (1997), and I’ll Have Another (2012), and two Kentucky Oaks winners in Blind Luck (2010) and Plum Pretty (2011).

Last year’s Derby featured also featured at least ten horses with ties to Marion County, including Journalism, Sovereignty, and Sandman. This year’s field continues the tradition of Marion County’s influence on the “Run for the Roses,” as the race is also known as.

Will you be watching the Kentucky Derby this weekend? Share your favorite horse in the comments below.