Kentucky Derby: 22 Horses Entered For 1st Leg Of Triple Crown

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (CBSNewYork/AP) — Twenty-two horses have been entered for Saturday's Kentucky Derby, two more than the maximum field of 20.

The entry box closed Wednesday morning, with the surprise late entry of Tale of Verve. The draw to determine post positions is set for later in the afternoon. The field is limited to the top 20 horses based on points earned in designated prep races.

Leading the way is expected favorite American Pharoah, winner of the Arkansas Derby. The colt is trained by three-time Derby winner Bob Baffert, who will also saddle likely second favorite Dortmund, undefeated at 6-0.

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Todd Pletcher will saddle four horses: Blue Grass winner Carpe Diem, Florida Derby winner Materiality, Itsaknockout and Louisiana Derby runner-up Stanford.

Itsaknockout will also serve to promote Saturday night's mega-fight in Las Vegas between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao.

"I think it's great to put arguably the two biggest events for each sport and have a partnership with the Derby that helps promote the fight this weekend," Steve Rosner of 16W Marketing told the New York Daily News. "It's a good cross-promotion for two sports with their biggest events on same day."

The 21st horse on the points list is Frammento, who was fourth in the Blue Grass and is trained by two-time Derby winner Nick Zito. Tale of Verve is 1 for 6 in his career and has never run in a stakes race for trainer Dallas Stewart.

They would need a defection by early Friday morning to get into the 1 1/4-mile race.

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Other entries are Louisiana Derby winner International Star, Wood Memorial winner Frosted, UAE Derby winner Mubtaahij, El Kabeir, Upstart, Far Right, Sunland Derby winner Firing Line, Danzig Moon, War Story, Tencendur, Mr. Z, Ocho Ocho Ocho, Bolo and Keen Ice.

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