The road to the Kentucky Derby, the biggest race for 3-year-old thoroughbreds, starts right here in the Bluegrass.

Kentucky is not the “horse capital of the world” because the Kentucky Derby just happens to be here.

It’s the horse capital of the world because almost all the contenders for this signature American classic are born and bred in the commonwealth — most right around Lexington. In 2022, the year the 2025 contenders were born, 7,754 of the 18,700 North American foals were born in Kentucky, 41.5% of the total U.S. foal crop.

This year, all but two of the 20 horses scheduled to run in the Derby were born on Central Kentucky’s storied horse farms.

Here’s a rundown of all the horse farms that nurtured Saturday’s runners, listed in post-position order with morning-line odds:

A foal grazes in a field beneath a rainbow following a rainstorm in Lexington. This year’s 20 Kentucky Derby entrants were almost all born on farms in Central Kentucky. Alex Slitz

1. CITIZEN BULL (20-1)

Foaled: April 2, 2022, at Taylor Made Farm in Nicholasville.

Jockey: Martin Garcia.

Trainer: Bob Baffert.

Owner: SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madeket Stables, Stonestreet Stables, Dianne Bashor, Determined Stables, Robert E. Masterson, Tom J. Ryan, Waves Edge Capital and Catherine Donovan.

Breeder: Robert Low and Lawana Low.

Sire: Into Mischief.

Dam: No Joke, by Distorted Humor.

Record: Four firsts and one third in six starts, 71.25 Derby points.

Notes: Fourth in the Santa Anita Derby, first in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes at Santa Anita, first in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Del Mar, first in the American Pharoah Stakes at Santa Anita and third in the Del Mar Futurity.

2. NEOEQUOS (30-1)

Foaled: April 28, 2022, in Florida.

Jockey: Flavien Prat.

Trainer: Saffie A. Joseph Jr.

Owner: C2 Racing Stable, Ian Parsard, Shining Stables and Stefania Farms.

Breeder: Helen Barbazon, Joseph Barbazon and Matalona Thoroughbreds.

Sire: Neolithic.

Dam: Bold Birdie, by Birdstone.

Record: Two firsts, two seconds and two thirds in seven starts, 40 Derby points.

Notes: Third in the Florida Derby and third in the Fountain of Youth Stakes.

3. FINAL GAMBIT (30-1)

Foaled: Feb. 21, 2022, at Juddmonte Farms in Lexington.

Jockey: Luan Machado.

Trainer: Brad Cox.

Owner: Juddmonte.

Breeder: Juddmonte.

Sire: Not This Time.

Dam: Pachinko, by Tapit.

Record: Two firsts, a second and a third in four starts, 100 Derby points.

Notes: Won the Jeff Ruby Steaks at Turfway Park.

4. RODRIGUEZ (12-1)

Foaled: May 20, 2022, at Benson Farm in Paris.

Jockey: Mike E. Smith.

Trainer: Bob Baffert.

Owner: SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Stonestreet Stables, Diane Bashor, Determined Stables, Robert E. Masterson, Tom J. Ryan, Wave Edge Capital and Catherine Donovan.

Breeder: Kingswood Farm and David Egan.

Sire: Authentic.

Dam: Cayala, by Cherokee Run.

Record: Two firsts, two seconds and a third in five starts, 121.25 Derby points.

Notes: Won the Wood Memorial Stakes at Aqueduct, was third in the San Felipe Stakes at Santa Anita and second in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes at Santa Anita.

5. AMERICAN PROMISE (30-1)

Foaled: May 1, 2022, at Candy Meadows Farm in Lexington.

Jockey: Nik Juarez.

Trainer: D. Wayne Lukas.

Owner: BC Stables.

Breeder: Candy Meadows.

Sire: Justify.

Dam: Tapella, by Tapit.

Record: Two firsts, one second and one third in nine starts, 55 Derby points.

Notes: First in the Virginia Derby at Colonial Downs, fifth in the Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds, seventh in the Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park.

6. ADMIRE DAYTONA (30-1)

Foaled: March 17, 2022, in Japan.

Jockey: Christophe Lemaire.

Trainer: Yukihiro Kato.

Owner: Junko Kondo.

Breeder: Northern Racing.

Sire: Drefong.

Dam: Ice Pastel, by Shackleford.

Record: Two firsts and two seconds in six starts, 100 Derby points.

Notes: First in the UAE Derby at Meydan Racecourse and fourth in the Hyacinth Stakes at Tokyo.

7. LUXOR CAFE (15-1)

Foaled: Feb. 26, 2022, at Ashford Stud in Versailles.

Jockey: Joao Moreira.

Trainer: Noriyuki Hori.

Owner: Koichi Nishikawa.

Breeder: Orpendale/Chelston/Wynatt & Westerberg Ireland.

Sire: American Pharoah.

Dam: Mary’s Follies, by More Than Ready.

Record: Four firsts and one second in six starts, 70 Derby points.

Notes: First in the Fukuryu Stakes at Nakayama, first in the Hyacinth Stakes at Toyko and first in the Kurochiku Sho at Nakayama.

8. JOURNALISM (3-1)

Foaled: Feb. 6, 2022, at Don Alberto Farm in Lexington.

Jockey: Umberto Rispoli.

Trainer: Michael W. McCarthy.

Owner: Bridlewood Farm, Don Alberto Stable, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Elayne Stables 5, Robert V. LaPenta, Mrs. John Magnier-lessee, Derrick Smith-lessee and Michael B. Tabor-lessee.

Breeder: Don Alberto Corporation.

Sire: Curlin.

Dam: Mopotism, by Uncle Mo.

Record: Four firsts and one third in five starts, 122.50 Derby points.

Notes: Won the Santa Anita Derby and the San Felipe Stakes, both at Santa Anita, and the Los Alamitos Futurity at Los Alamitos.

Journalism is the 3-1 morning-line favorite for Saturday’s 151st Kentucky Derby. Matt Stone USA TODAY NETWORK

9. BURNHAM SQUARE (12-1)

Foaled: April 9, 2022, Maple Lane Farm in Paris.

Jockey: Brian Hernandez Jr.

Trainer: Ian Wilkes.

Owner: Whitham Thoroughbreds.

Breeder: Whitham Thoroughbreds.

Sire: Liam’s Map.

Dam: Linda, by Scat Daddy.

Record: Three firsts, one second and one third in six starts, 130 Derby points.

Notes: Won the Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland, was fourth in the Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream and first in the Holly Bull Stakes at Gulfstream.

10. GRANDE (10-1)

Foaled: March 9, 2022, at KatieRich Farms in Midway.

Jockey: John Velazquez.

Trainer: Todd Pletcher.

Owner: Repole Stable.

Breeder: KatieRich Farms.

Sire: Curlin.

Dam: Journey Home, by War Front.

Record: Two firsts and a seconds in three starts, 50 Derby points.

Notes: Second in the Wood Memorial Stakes at Aqueduct.

11. FLYING MOHAWK (30-1)

Foaled: Feb. 18, 2022, at Milestone Farm in Lexington.

Jockey: Joe Ramos.

Trainer: Whit Beckman.

Owner: Two Eight Racing, Berry Family Racing and Kaleta Racing.

Breeder: John O’Meara.

Sire: Karakontie (JPN).

Dam: Bonbons Fleur, by Twirling Candy.

Record: Two firsts and two seconds in six starts, 50 Derby points.

Notes: Second in the Jeff Ruby Steaks at Turfway Park and fifth in the Pilgrim Stakes at Belmont at the Big A.

12. EAST AVENUE (20-1)

Foaled: Feb. 4, 2022, at Gainsborough in Versailles.

Jockey: Manny Franco.

Trainer: Brendan Walsh.

Owner: Godolphin.

Breeder: Godolphin.

Sire: Medaglia D’Oro.

Dam: Dance Music, by Ghostzapper.

Record: Two firsts and a second in five starts, 60 Derby points.

Notes: Second in the Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland, 10th in the Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds, ninth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Del Mar and first in the Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity at Keeneland.

13. PUBLISHER (20-1)

Foaled: Feb. 6, 2022, at Airdrie Stud in Midway.

Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.

Trainer: Steve Asmussen.

Owner: Gus King and the Estate of Brereton C. Jones.

Breeder: Brereton C. Jones.

Sire: American Pharoah.

Dam: Indian Pride, by Proud Citizen.

Record: Two seconds and three thirds in seven starts, 60 Derby points.

Notes: Second in the Arkansas Derby, fourth in the Rebel Stakes and sixth in the Southwest Stakes, all at Oaklawn Park.

14. TIZTASTIC (20-1)

Foaled: April 30, 2022, at Ashford Stud in Versailles.

Jockey: Joel Rosario.

Trainer: Steve Asmussen.

Owner: Winchell Thoroughbreds, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael B. Tabor and Derrick Smith.

Breeder: Capital Bloodstock.

Sire: Tiz the Law.

Dam: Keesha, by Tapit.

Record: Three firsts, one second and two thirds in eight starts, 119 Derby points.

Notes: Won the Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds, was fifth in the Rebel Stakes and third in the Southwest Stakes, both at Oaklawn Park, third in the Kentucky Jockey Stakes and second in the Street Sense Stakes, both at Churchill Downs.

15. RENDER JUDGMENT (30-1)

Foaled: March 8, 2022, at Green Lantern Stable’s Golden Age Farm in Lexington.

Jockey: Julian Leparoux.

Trainer: Kenny McPeek.

Owner: Baccari Racing Stable, Dream Walkin Farms, MJM Racing and Rocket Ship Racing.

Breeder: Green Lantern Stables.

Sire: Blame.

Dam: Barbara Gordon, by Commissioner.

Record: One first, two seconds and one third in seven starts, 39 Derby points.

Notes: Fifth in the Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland, second in the Virginia Derby at Colonial Downs, eighth in the Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds, third in the Gun Runner Stakes at Fair Grounds and fifth in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes at Churchill Downs.

16. COAL BATTLE (30-1)

Foaled: April 6, 2022, at Beech Spring Farm in Paris.

Jockey: Juan Vargas.

Trainer: Lonnie Briley.

Owner: Norman Stables.

Breeder: Hume Wornall and Jay Adcock.

Sire: Coal Front.

Dam: Wolfblade, by Midshipman.

Record: Five firsts and a third in eight starts, 95 Derby points.

Notes: Third in the Arkansas Derby, first in the Rebel Stakes and first in the Smarty Jones Stakes, all at Oaklawn Park, first in the Remington Springboard Mile Stakes at Remington Park, first in the Jean Lafitte Stakes at Delta Downs and fourth in the Kentucky Downs Juvenile Mile Stakes at Kentucky Downs.

17. SANDMAN (6-1)

Foaled: Feb. 27, 2022, at Chesapeake Farm in Lexington.

Jockey: Jose Ortiz.

Trainer: Mark Casse.

Owner: D.J. Stable, St. Elias Stable, West Point Thoroughbreds and CJ Stables.

Breeder: Lothenbach Stables.

Sire: Tapit.

Dam: Distorted Music, by Distorted Humor.

Record: Three firsts, one second and two thirds in eight starts, 129 Derby points.

Notes: Won the Arkansas Derby, was third in the Rebel Stakes and was second in the Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn, was third in the Street Sense Stakes and fifth in the Iroquois Stakes at Churchill Downs.

18. SOVEREIGNTY (5-1)

Foaled: Feb. 22, 2022, at Godolphin’s Gainsborough Farm in Versailles.

Jockey: Junior Alvarado.

Trainer: Bill Mott.

Owner: Godolphin.

Breeder: Godolphin.

Sire: Into Mischief.

Dam: Crowned, by Bernardini.

Record: Two firsts and two seconds in five starts, 110 Derby points.

Notes: Second in the Florida Derby, first in the Fountain of Youth Stakes, both at Gulfstream, and won the Street Sense Stakes at Churchill Downs.

19. CHUNK OF GOLD (30-1)

Foaled: May 11, 2022, at Airdrie Stud in Midway.

Jockey: Jareth Loveberry.

Trainer: Ethan West.

Owner: Terry L. Stephens.

Breeder: Brereton C. Jones.

Sire: Preservationist.

Dam: Play for Gold, by Cairo Prince.

Record: One first and three seconds in four starts, 75 Derby points.

Notes: Second in the Louisiana Derby and second in the Risen Star Stakes, both at Fair Grounds, and second in the Leonatus Stakes at Turfway Park.

20. OWEN ALMIGHTY (30-1)

Foaled: March 5, 2022, at Taylor Made Farm in Nicholasville.

Jockey: Javier Castellano.

Trainer: Brian A. Lynch.

Owner: Flying Dutchmen Breeding and Racing.

Breeder: Mark Stanley.

Sire: Speightstown.

Dam: Tempers Rising, by Bayern.

Record: Three firsts and two seconds in seven starts, 65 Derby points.

Notes: Sixth in the Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland, first in the Tampa Bay Derby, second in the Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay, fifth in the Pasco Stakes at Tampa Bay, second in the Iroquois Stakes at Churchill Downs and first in the Ellis Park Juvenile Stakes.

21. BAEZA (12-1) — Also eligible

Foaled: May 13, 2022, at Runnymede Farm in Paris.

Jockey: TBA.

Trainer: John Shirreffs.

Owner: C R K Stable and Grandview Equine.

Breeder: Grandview Equine.

Sire: McKinzie.

Dam: Puca, by Big Brown.

Record: One first and two seconds in four starts, 37.50 Derby points.

Notes: Second in the Santa Anita Derby.

In 2022, 18,700 foals were born in North America, including 7,754 in Kentucky. Twenty of the finest horses from that original group of nearly 19,000, now 3 years old, will go to post in Saturday’s 151st Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville. Lezlie Sterling TNS