Kentucky may be the Bluegrass State but there’s plenty of green in the state – as in cash. Especially at Kentucky Downs. A king’s ransom will be up for grabs Saturday when the DK Horse Nashville Derby Invitational will offer a total of purse of $3.1 million to the top finishers. Not surprisingly a full field of 12 3-year-olds turned out, plus two also-eligible entrants, making the race a source of great betting value for handicappers.

1. Rothschild (30-1): Ships in from Del Mar where he was third in a listed stakes in his lone 2024 start. He should move forward off that start but will find Kentucky Downs a different world than the hard, firm California courses.

JOCKEY: John Velazquez; TRAINER: Tim Yakteen

2. Abrumar (15-1): He’s consistent, finishing second or third in his last three starts, all in stakes company. An interesting longshot for the exotics but he’ll need a lot to break his way to win this race.

JOCKEY: Edgard Zayas; TRAINER: Saffie Joseph Jr.

3. Navy Seal (20-1): Was off slowly in his first U.S. turf race, then got the front but was caught and settled for second. A step forward off that try could make him a contender.

JOCKEY: Jamie Spencer; TRAINER: Wesley Ward

4. Stromberg (6-1): Makes his U.S. debut off some OK efforts overseas. Has yet to win in four starts this year, but was second in a Group 3 stakes at 1 ¼ miles. Has a license to be a big factor.

JOCKEY: Dylan McMonagle; TRAINER: Joseph O’Brien

5. White Palomino (8-1): Looms as the speed of the field and could be hard to reel in. Just missed in his last two starts, topped by a head loss in the Grade 1 Belmont Derby Invitational Stakes. A soft pace would be a huge boost to his chances.

JOCKEY: Jose Ortiz; TRAINER: Chad Brown

6. Bellum Justum (7-2): European arrives in America on an upswing. Was a game second in a Group 3 stakes at Goodwood while traveling a mile and a half. The distance should not pose a problem and he should be right there at the finish with jockey Frankie Dettori.

JOCKEY: Frankie Dettori; TRAINER: Andrew Balding

7. Sea The Thunder (12-1): Another European now in the hands of American trainer Cherie DeVaux. Did not run in a group stakes overseas so he may be notch below these in class. Stamina should be his forte.

JOCKEY: Brian J. Hernandez Jr.; TRAINER: Cherie DeVaux

8. Carson’s Run (9-2): Will be the emotional favorite as he is named for Carson Jost, who suffers from Wolf-Hirschorn Syndrome, the same disease that claimed the life of Cody Dorman, the namesake of Cody’s Wish, last year. He’s returned to his winning ways at an opportune time, winning his last two starts, including the Saratoga Derby Invitational Stakes. Can be a force in this field.

JOCKEY: Joel Rosario; TRAINER: Christophe Clement

9. Cameo Performance (12-1): Won the prep race for this, but that was at Ellis Park. Will find a different course here, but seems to be getting better with each start and could pose a late threat in the final furlong.

JOCKEY: Tyler Gaffalione; TRAINER: Brendan Walsh

10. Nomos (20-1): Was second in the Kent Stakes at 1 3/8 miles, so he’s cutting back slightly in distance. His speed figures are on the slow side and others are more attractive in this field.

JOCKEY: Julien Leparoux; TRAINER: Todd Pletcher

11. Lagynos (12-1): Was bumped at the start and then led in midstretch before settling for second by a neck in the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame Stakes at Saratoga. That race was at a mile so the distance could pose a problem for him.

JOCKEY: Cristian Torres; TRAINER: Steve Asmussen

12. Cugino (4-1): Landed in a tough post but exits a sharp win in the Audubon Stakes at Churchill Downs. Has not raced since June 1 and has never had that big of a gap between races. He can be a big factor on his best try.

JOCKEY: Flavien Prat; TRAINER: Shug McGaughey

13. El Matador (30-1): On the also-eligible list and has yet to finish in the top three in a stakes. Pass.

JOCKEY: Jaime Torres; TRAINER: Mike Maker

14. Hamilton’s Way (20-1): Second 3-year-old on the also-eligible list picks a tough spot for his stakes debut with a 1-for-10 career record to boot.

JOCKEY: Gerardo Corrales; TRAINER: Ray Handal

THE PICK: White Palomino

LIVE LONGSHOT: Cameo Performance

SUPERFECTA: 5-6-8-9