Kentucky Derby: One jockey from Idaho, one questionable favorite

Idaho native and Hall of Famer Gary Stevens, 53, joins Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert and Mor Spirit (12-1 line, No. 17 post). Mor Spirit is the great grandson of 1977 Triple Crown winner Seattle Slew. “Like Bob has said, he’s no American Pharoah, but we don’t know that yet,” Stevens said, referring to last year’s Triple Crown winner trained by Baffert. “Maybe lightning can strike two years in a row, who knows?”

Nyquist (3-1, No. 13 post) is the reigning 2-year-old champ, he’s undefeated in seven starts and has soundly beaten three top Derby contenders. So why do horse aficionados believe Nyquist is beatable? His speed isn’t off the charts, and his pedigree suggests he might falter over 1 1/4 miles.