Kentucky Derby 2022: Taiba Horse Racing Profile

Written By Road to CFB | Published at May 4, 2022

Taiba is eligible to run in the 2022 Kentucky Derby because he has been transferred trainers. Previously under Bob Baffert, Taiba is now with Tim Yakteen. He's run just two races, but earned 100 points after winning the Santa Anita Derby in April and stands eighth in the Derby standings. Below, we'll look at everything you need to know from one of the favorites in the upcoming Run for the Roses.

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Taiba Kentucky Derby Profile

Record: 2-0-0 (2)

Owner: Zedan Racing Stables

Jockey: Mike Smith (Hall of Fame jockey)

Trainer: Tim Yakteen (formerly Bob Baffert)

Color: Chestnut

Kentucky Derby points (standing): 100 (eighth)

Running Style: Frontrunner

Last race: Won Santa Anita Derby (G1)

Sire/Dam: Gun Runner/Needmore Flattery

Taiba Past Performances

Date	Race	Length	Beyer Speed Figure	Finish
4/9/22	Santa Anita Derby (G1)	1 1/8 miles	102	1st
3/5/22	MSW	6 furlongs	103	1st

The Word On Taiba

May 1: Taiba was en route to Churchill Downs on Sunday by way of air through Indianapolis and van to Louisville. Hall-of-Fame rider Mike Smith will jockey Taiba for the Derby on Saturday.

May 3: Trainer Tim Yakteen: “They made us wait. (Messier and Taiba were among the last three horses chosen.) But in the end we drew well.”

Betting insight from Dave Bontempo

In his professional debut, Taiba posted a blistering 103 Beyer Speed Figure, tied with Messier for the top mark so far. He won that race by six lengths, an impressive start to this potential wonder-horse's career.

In his next start, Taiba ran down Messier in the 1 1/8 mile Santa Anita Derby to post a 102 BSF. He has by far the best two-race start of any horse in this field. He'll be taken seriously and Taiba is expected to be among the favorites.

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Kentucky Derby Odds 2022

Any bets made on the TVG app will see odds shift based on how much is wagered on each horse until the starting gates open.

Post	Horse	Latest odds (6:30 p.m. ET	Morning Line Odds	Trainer	Jockey	W-P-S (Races)
1	Mo Donegal	9-1	10-1	Todd Pletcher	Irad Ortiz Jr.	3-0-2 (5)
2	Happy Jack	20-1	30-1	Doug O'Neill	Rafael Bejarano	0-0-2 (3)
3	Epicenter	5-1	7-2	Steve Asmussen	Joel Rosario	4-1-0 (6)
4	Summer Is Tomorrow	33-1	30-1	Bhupat Seemar	Mickael Barzalona	2-3-0 (7)
5	Smile Happy	14-1	20-1	Kenny McPeek	Corey Lanerie	2-2-0 (4)
6	Messier (CAN)	6-1	8-1	Tim Yakteen*	John Velazquez	3-3-0 (6)
7	Crown Pride (JPN)	17-1	20-1	Koichi Shintani	Christophe Lemaire	3-0-0 (4)
8	Charge It	15-1	20-1	Todd Pletcher	Luis Saez	1-2-0 (3)
9	Tiz the Bomb	27-1	30-1	Kenny McPeek	Brian Hernandez Jr.	5-1-0 (8)
10	Zandon	6-1	3-1	Chad Brown	Flavien Prat	2-1-1 (4)
11	Pioneer of Medina	53-1	30-1	Todd Pletcher	Joe Bravo	2-1-2 (6)
12	Taiba	5-1	12-1	Tim Yakteen*	Mike Smith	2-0-0 (2)
13	Simplification	35-1	20-1	Antionio Sano	Jose Ortiz	3-1-2 (7)
14	Barber Road	54-1	30-1	John Ortiz	Rey Gutierrez	2-4-1 (8)
15	White Abarrio	14-1	10-1	Saffie Joseph Jr.	Tyler Gaffalione	4-0-1 (5)
16	Cyberknife	15-1	20-1	Brad Cox	Florent Geroux	3-2-0 (6)
17	Classic Causway	75-1	30-1	Brian Lynch	Julien Leparoux	3-1-1 (6)
18	Tawny Port	74-1	30-1	Brad Cox	Ricardo Santana Jr.	3-1-0 (5)
19	Zozos	43-1	20-1	Brad Cox	Manny Franco	2-1-0 (3)
21	Rich Strike	80-1	30-1	Eric Reed	Sonny Leon	1-0-3 (7)