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At 7-1, Sierra Leone tops Kentucky Derby Future Wager pool
Matt Hegarty Mar 18,2024
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Conquest Warrior the choice of wise guys in Florida Derby
Mike Welsch Mar 18,2024
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Endlessly tops field of 12 for Saturday's Jeff Ruby Steaks
Nicole Russo Mar 17,2024
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Track Phantom draws post 12 in field of 12 for Louisiana Derby
Marcus Hersh Mar 16,2024
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Dornoch returns to work, next start undecided
David Grening Mar 16,2024
Derby Watch
Horse/ Best Beyer | Trainer | Odds by David Aragona | ||||||
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Sierra Leone 91 | Chad Brown | 6-1 | ||||||
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BF: Class and pedigree, runs like 1 1/4-mile horse, last three Risen Star winners placed in Ky Derby. | ||||||||
DA: Powerful finisher overcame slow pace to defeat a quality field; promising start to his campaign. | ||||||||
Timberlake 93 | Brad Cox | 8-1 | ||||||
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BF: Comeback win resolves the two-turn dilemma; matching his top juvenile figure also bodes well. | ||||||||
DA: Encouraging that he settled early and finished well; perfect start to campaign for talented colt. | ||||||||
Deterministic 93 | Christophe Clement | 12-1 | ||||||
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BF: Impressed by decisive comeback win vs. talented foe, finished one-turn mile as if two turns fine. | ||||||||
DA: Relentless finisher belied his inexperience in stylish Gotham score; now must prove it at 2 turns. | ||||||||
Dornoch 91 | Danny Gargan | 15-1 | ||||||
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BF: Legit Derby prospect has luck on side: Remsen bias-aided, FOY slow pace vs. decimated field. | ||||||||
DA: Failed to progress in FOY, where he again was late changing leads; need to see more in final prep. | ||||||||
Fierceness 105 | Todd Pletcher | 15-1 | ||||||
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BF: Champion juvenile runs fast when things go his way, things did not go his way in either defeat. | ||||||||
DA: His inability to overcome even mild adversity is a major problem, especially for a Derby horse. | ||||||||
Forever Young NA | Yoshito Yahagi | 15-1 | ||||||
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BF: Expected more in Saudi than desperate win at one turn, perhaps will improve two turns in Dubai. | ||||||||
DA: Impressed with his determination in very fast edition of Saudi Derby; more ground will suit him. | ||||||||
Mystik Dan 101 | Kenny McPeek | 15-1 | ||||||
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BF: Took advantage of favorable OP conditions to earn highest figure this year by a Derby eligible. | ||||||||
DA: Looked awesome striding out to the wire, but benefited from likely rail bias in Southwest. | ||||||||
Track Phantom 90 | Steve Asmussen | 15-1 | ||||||
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BF: Appeared home free in Risen Star until run over by Sierra Leone, uncertain at longer distances. | ||||||||
DA: Simply second best in the Risen Star, but have to respect his growing résumé and consistency. | ||||||||
Catching Freedom 87 | 20-1 | |||||||
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BF: Rallied and then lost punch deep stretch in Risen Star; yet another uncertain at longer distances | ||||||||
DA: Again was unprofessional with his lead changes in Risen Star; still needs to mature mentally. | ||||||||
Conquest Warrior 84 | Shug McGaughey | 20-1 | ||||||
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BF: Visually impressive two-turn allowance win but still has not run fast; Florida Derby acid test. | ||||||||
DA: Didn’t run fast last week, but still get the sense we haven’t seen the full breadth of his talent yet. | ||||||||
Just a Touch 90 | Brad Cox | 20-1 | ||||||
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BF: Two-start colt still green, but should relish longer distance in his make-or-break final prep race. | ||||||||
DA: Lost nothing in Gotham defeat, staying on gamely late; agree that more ground should suit him. | ||||||||
Domestic Product 87 | Chad Brown | 25-1 | ||||||
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BF: Low-rated blanket-finish TAM win gets him Derby-qualified on points, one more prep welcome. | ||||||||
DA: Has encountered extremely slow paces in both preps; doing enough to keep himself in the mix. | ||||||||
Hades 90 | Joe Orseno | 25-1 | ||||||
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BF: Unbeaten colt’s slow-pace Holy Bull win flattered when runner-up won Tampa Derby next out. | ||||||||
DA: Tougher assignments and pace setups lie ahead, but he’s been improving with each start. | ||||||||
Tuscan Sky 95 | Todd Pletcher | 25-1 | ||||||
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BF: Tough read off two wet-track wins including three-horse N1X route; class test forthcoming. | ||||||||
DA: Earned fast fig under ideal circumstances; promising colt still has many questions to answer. | ||||||||
Common Defense 90 | 30-1 | |||||||
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BF: Saved ground start to finish as runner-up in Rebel, won’t always get same great rail-skimming trip. | ||||||||
DA: Agree on Rebel trip; improving colt doesn’t need many more points to secure spot in Derby field. | ||||||||
Honor Marie 92 | Whit Beckman | 30-1 | ||||||
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BF: Creditable FG comeback was first in nearly three months; G2 winner can improve next time out. | ||||||||
DA: Strong finisher was never in a position to be effective at FG last week; not giving up on him yet. | ||||||||
Liberal Arts 88 | Robert Medina | 30-1 | ||||||
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BF: Decent wet-track comeback earned career-high fig first start following three-month winter break. | ||||||||
DA: Got good trip but was hitting best stride late, galloped out past the winner in Southwest. | ||||||||
No More Time 80 | Jose D'Angelo | 40-1 | ||||||
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BF: Got collared despite favorable pace scenario and will train into Ky. Derby, seems up against it. | ||||||||
DA: Failed to impress in final prep, but he’s safely in the Derby field; should add pace to the affair. | ||||||||
Ramjet NA | Shozo Sasaki | 40-1 | ||||||
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BF: Current leader in Japan Road to Derby points list; decisive stakes winner might train into Derby. | ||||||||
DA: Legitimate chance to make the cut; Hyacinth winner got a rough trip in his only poor showing. | ||||||||
Stronghold 89 | Phil D'Amato | 40-1 | ||||||
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BF: Under-the-radar California colt finished one-two in all five starts, gets class test next start TBD. | ||||||||
DA: Did what was required at Sunland, but didn’t necessarily learn anything new about him. | ||||||||
Road to the Derby
Date | Race / Track / Distance | Winner / Beyer | |||||
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Saturday, Sep 16, 2023 |
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West Saratoga 79 | Race Recap View Chart |
West Saratoga
79
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Saturday, Oct 7, 2023 |
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Timberlake 93 | Race Recap View Chart |
Timberlake
93
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Saturday, Oct 7, 2023 |
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Muth 91 | Race Recap View Chart |
Muth
91
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Saturday, Oct 7, 2023 |
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Locked 92 | Race Recap View Chart |
Locked
92
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Sunday, Oct 29, 2023 |
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Liberal Arts 83 | Race Recap View Chart |
Liberal Arts
83
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Saturday, Nov 4, 2023 |
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Fierceness 105 | Race Recap View Chart |
Fierceness
105
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Saturday, Nov 25, 2023 |
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Honor Marie 92 | Race Recap View Chart |
Honor Marie
92
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Saturday, Dec 2, 2023 |
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Dornoch 91 | Race Recap View Chart |
Dornoch
91
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Friday, Dec 15, 2023 |
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Otto the Conqueror 71 | Race Recap View Chart |
Otto the Conqueror
71
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Saturday, Dec 16, 2023 |
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Wynstock 86 | Race Recap View Chart |
Wynstock
86
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Saturday, Dec 23, 2023 |
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Track Phantom 89 | Race Recap View Chart |
Track Phantom
89
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Monday, Jan 1, 2024 |
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Catching Freedom 87 | Race Recap View Chart |
Catching Freedom
87
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Saturday, Jan 6, 2024 |
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Drum Roll Please 80 | Race Recap View Chart |
Drum Roll Please
80
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Saturday, Jan 20, 2024 |
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Track Phantom 90 | Race Recap View Chart |
Track Phantom
90
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Saturday, Feb 3, 2024 |
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Mystik Dan 101 | Race Recap View Chart |
Mystik Dan
101
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Saturday, Feb 3, 2024 |
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Hades 90 | Race Recap View Chart |
Hades
90
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Saturday, Feb 3, 2024 |
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Nysos 105 | Race Recap View Chart |
Nysos
105
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Saturday, Feb 3, 2024 |
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Uncle Heavy 84 | Race Recap View Chart |
Uncle Heavy
84
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Saturday, Feb 10, 2024 |
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No More Time 80 | Race Recap View Chart |
No More Time
80
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Saturday, Feb 17, 2024 |
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Sierra Leone 91 | Race Recap View Chart |
Sierra Leone
91
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Sunday, Feb 18, 2024 |
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Stronghold 89 | Race Recap View Chart |
Stronghold
89
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Saturday, Feb 24, 2024 |
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Timberlake 93 | Race Recap View Chart |
Timberlake
93
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Saturday, Mar 2, 2024 |
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Encino 89 | Race Recap View Chart |
Encino
89
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Saturday, Mar 2, 2024 |
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Deterministic 93 | Race Recap View Chart |
Deterministic
93
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Saturday, Mar 2, 2024 |
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Dornoch 88 | Race Recap View Chart |
Dornoch
88
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Sunday, Mar 3, 2024 |
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Imagination 96 | Race Recap View Chart |
Imagination
96
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Saturday, Mar 9, 2024 |
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Domestic Product 82 | Race Recap View Chart |
Domestic Product
82
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Saturday, Mar 23, 2024 |
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Saturday, Mar 23, 2024 |
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Saturday, Mar 30, 2024 |
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Saturday, Mar 30, 2024 |
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Saturday, Mar 30, 2024 |
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Saturday, Apr 6, 2024 |
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Saturday, Apr 6, 2024 |
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Saturday, Apr 6, 2024 |
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Saturday, Apr 13, 2024 |
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European Road to the Derby
Date | Race / Track / Distance | Winner | |||||||
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Saturday, Sep 23, 2023 |
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Deepone |
Deepone
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Saturday, Sep 30, 2023 |
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Ghostwriter |
Ghostwriter
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Sunday, Oct 1, 2023 |
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Rosallion |
Rosallion
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Saturday, Oct 28, 2023 |
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Ancient Wisdom |
Ancient Wisdom
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Wednesday, Feb 21, 2024 |
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Notable Speech |
Notable Speech
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Friday, Mar 1, 2024 |
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Saturday, Mar 30, 2024 |
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Japan Road to the Derby
Date | Race / Track / Distance | Winner | |||||||
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Saturday, Nov 25, 2023 |
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Amante Bianco |
Amante Bianco
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Wednesday, Dec 13, 2023 |
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Sunday, Feb 18, 2024 |
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Saturday, Mar 23, 2024 |
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All Top Kentucky Derby News
Endlessly tops field of 12 for Saturday's Jeff Ruby Steaks
Track Phantom draws post 12 in field of 12 for Louisiana Derby
Dornoch returns to work, next start undecided
Uncle Heavy begins prep for Wood Memorial
Fierceness tunes up for Florida Derby with five-furlong work
Kentucky Derby: Brown would love a win but won't alter training methods
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Domestic Product
Kentucky Derby: Who's hot, who's not for March 13, 2024
Workers abound for Louisiana Derby, Fair Grounds Oaks
Kentucky Derby Future Wager: Sierra Leone made 5-1 morning-line favorite for Pool 5
Domestic Product will likely race again before Derby, No More Time likely will not
Domestic Product sitting on breakthrough race in Tampa Bay Derby
Locked off Triple Crown trail with knee injury
Timberlake continues prep for Blue Grass or Arkansas Derby
Fierceness works five furlongs for Florida Derby
Gaffalione to ride Liberal Arts in Arkansas Derby
Kentucky Derby: D'Angelo going for his biggest U.S. win in Tampa Bay Derby
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Deterministic
Domestic Product, No More Time top Tampa Bay Derby
San Felipe: Imagination wins the bob in all-Baffert photo
Blue Grass, Florida Derby on the table for Dornoch
Clement keeping options open for Deterministic after Gotham win
Time for Truth passes two-turn test, possible for Arkansas Derby
Dornoch proves best over dampened Fountain of Youth field
Deterministic delivers on promise with Gotham win
Dornoch, Speak Easy top scratch-reduced Fountain of Youth Stakes
Epic Ride aims to keep rolling in Battaglia Memorial
Nysos scratches from San Felipe, will await Santa Anita Derby
Endlessly to remain on synthetic, will head to Jeff Ruby Stakes
Kentucky Derby: Who's hot, who's not for Feb. 28, 2024
Tessuto eyes Santa Anita Derby off maiden win
Tapalo to stay on synthetic in Jeff Ruby Steaks
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Dornoch
Timberlake's next start could be Arkansas Derby or Blue Grass Stakes
Just a Touch could lead large field for Saturday's Gotham Stakes
Dornoch, Locked head field of nine in Fountain of Youth
Timberlake makes statement with Rebel Stakes victory
Forever Young overcomes mistakes to run down Book'em Danno in Saudi Derby
Real Macho, Victory Avenue get in drills for Fountain of Youth
Cox trio works ahead of Gotham
No More Time to start in Tampa Bay Derby off Sam Davis victory
Real Macho gets another two-turn try in Fountain of Youth
Victory Avenue to make next start in Fountain of Youth
Kentucky Derby: Who's hot, who's not for Feb. 21, 2024
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Timberlake
Stronghold takes Sunland Derby, climbs to fourth in Derby points
Sierra Leone to Blue Grass, Track Phantom to Louisiana Derby after Risen Star
Timberlake returns, draws post 7 for Rebel
Relentless Sierra Leone catches Track Phantom late in Risen Star Stakes
Locked back on the beam with work for possible start in Fountain of Youth
Kentucky Derby: Beckman looks to put his classic experience to good use with Honor Marie
Pletcher has five 3-year-olds running on Risen Star card
Following strong work, Timberlake confirmed for Rebel Stakes
Domestic Product will get added seasoning in Tampa Bay Derby
Withers winner Uncle Heavy stuck on farm due to herpesvirus quarantine
Kentucky Derby: Who's hot, who's not for Feb. 14, 2024
Tejon Pass, Time for Truth possible for Rebel Stakes
Tapalo could head to Turfway for Jeff Ruby
2024 Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Sierra Leone
No More Time possible for either Tampa Bay Derby or Florida Derby
No More Time goes gate-to-wire to grab Derby points in Sam F. Davis
Track Phantom draws post 11 for Risen Star
Kentucky Derby 2024: Pletcher has yet another case of prep hiccups
Hall of Fame, Track Phantom on target for Risen Star
Dornoch works toward Fountain of Youth
Kentucky Derby: Who's hot, who's not for Feb. 7, 2024
Stronghold hoping to make Sunland Park Derby
2024 Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Hades
Triple Crown early nominations close with 346 eligible, down from 369 in 2023
Locked will miss Sam F. Davis Stakes due to temperature, Pletcher says
Hades, after Holy Bull upset, may wait until Florida Derby for next start
Prat's great start to 2024 continues aboard Nysos in Robert Lewis
Mystik Dan's next start likely will be Arkansas Derby
Uncle Heavy, after Withers win, targets Wood Memorial as next start
Hades springs upset in Holy Bull Stakes as Fierceness fades to third
Nysos, with Robert Lewis triumph, makes it clear who's best in California
Uncle Heavy noses El Grande O for Withers victory
Salesman possible for Santa Anita Handicap
Twenty years ago, Smarty Jones put Oaklawn's 3-year-old series on the map
Clement makes rare move onto road to Kentucky Derby
D'Angelo re-routes No More Time, Bentornato from Holly Bull and Swale
Kentucky Derby: Baffert owners take a stand; don't transfer horses by deadline
Brown takes blinkers off Domestic Product for Holy Bull Stakes
Fierceness leads field of eight in Saturday's Holy Bull
Oaklawn's delayed Southwest Stakes Day will feature large crowd of entries
Maymun latest star shooting out of Baffert's stable
Next for Track Phantom: Risen Star Stakes
Track Phantom holds off Nash in Lecomte Stakes
Field, Fierceness open as top choices in Kentucky Derby future wager pool
Track Phantom highlights this week's Lecomte Stakes field
Muth shows he belongs in Eclipse picture with San Vicente
Drum Roll Please will point to Withers, Cox says
Drum Roll Please overcomes slow pace to take Jerome
Catching Freedom snatches first Derby points of the year in Smarty Jones
Track Phantom makes Gun Runner first stakes victory
Glengarry gives two turns a try in Springboard Mile
Coach Prime steps into spotlight in Los Alamitos Futurity
Dornoch, after Remsen win, possible for Withers Stakes
Dornoch's victory in Remsen highlights Puca's productivity
Track Phantom, Hall of Fame may go separate ways
Dornoch rallies to edge Sierra Leone in Remsen Stakes
Honor Marie, trainer Beckman grab first graded stakes wins in Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes
Fierceness made individual favorite in second Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool
Breeders' Cup Juvenile: Fierceness takes first step down Kentucky Derby Road
Locked, Timberlake among top individuals listed in first pool of Kentucky Derby Future Wager
Liberal Arts gets up late in Street Sense triumph
'All others' 4-5 favorite in Pool 1 of Kentucky Derby Future Wager
Final time for Breeders' Futurity changed, Beyer Figure adjusted
Muth makes his expensive purchase price look good in American Pharoah Stakes
Timberlake skips away in Champagne victory
Locked narrowly scores in Breeders' Futurity
West Saratoga comes from off the pace for upset in Iroquois Stakes
Baffert, Zedan seek judicial review of 2021 Kentucky Derby penalties
Iroquois, Pocahontas kick off road to Kentucky Derby and Oaks
Churchill announces Derby points changes
Mage runs down Two Phil's in stretch for Kentucky Derby victory
Kentucky Derby Point Standings
The Kentucky Derby is the first leg of the American Triple Crown series for 3-year-old Thoroughbreds. Held each year at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., on the first Saturday in May, the track has presented the race continuously since 1875. The Derby is run at the distance of 1 1/4 miles and is arguably the most famous horse race in the world.
Horses compete in the Kentucky Derby after qualifying through a series of preparatory races known as the Road to the Kentucky Derby. These stakes races are held at racetracks across the country and award Derby qualifying points to the top four finishers. The Derby starters are comprised of the horses with the most qualifying points, with two of the 20 spots reserved for the top qualifiers from the European and Japanese Road to the Derby qualifying events.
The Kentucky Derby has many traditions, including drinking mint juleps, wearing festive hats, and singing "My Old Kentucky Home" as the horses enter the track. Its sister race, the Kentucky Oaks, exclusively for 3-year-old fillies, takes place the day before the Kentucky Derby, on the first Friday in May. Both Oaks Day and Derby Day are treated as local holidays in Louisville.
The horse who wins the Kentucky Derby receives a blanket of red roses, the official flower of the Kentucky Derby. The race is commonly referred to as the “Run for the Roses.”
The winning horse becomes the only horse eligible to complete that year's Triple Crown, by running in and winning the two other legs of the series. The middle "jewel" is the Preakness Stakes two weeks later at Pimilco Race Course in Baltimore, and the final leg is the Belmont Stakes three weeks after the Preakness at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y.
Recent Kentucky Derby Winners
Year | Horse/Trainer | Horse | Trainer | Beyer |
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2023 |
Gustavo Delgado
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Mage | Gustavo Delgado | 105 |
2022 |
Eric Reed
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Rich Strike | Eric Reed | 101 |
2021 |
Brad Cox
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Mandaloun | Brad Cox | 101 |
2020 |
Bob Baffert
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Authentic | Bob Baffert | 105 |
2019 |
Bill Mott
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Country House | Bill Mott | 99 |
2018 |
Bob Baffert
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Justify | Bob Baffert | 103 |
2017 |
Todd Pletcher
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Always Dreaming | Todd Pletcher | 102 |
2016 |
Doug O'Neill
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Nyquist | Doug O'Neill | 103 |
2015 |
Bob Baffert
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American Pharoah | Bob Baffert | 105 |
2014 |
Art Sherman
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California Chrome | Art Sherman | 97 |
2013 |
Shug McGaughey
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Orb | Shug McGaughey | 104 |
Q: Who is eligible to run?
The Kentucky Derby is open only to 3-year-olds that are nominated to the Triple Crown series, and have earned enough qualifying points.
Q: How do horses earn qualifying points?
Horses earn qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby through a series of prep races run September – April at multiple tracks across the country. Points available for the races range from 1-100, depending on the quality of the race and where the horse finishes. View the full list of “Road to the Kentucky Derby” qualifying races at left.
Q: How many horses can start in the race?
Currently a maximum of 20 horses can run in the Kentucky Derby. The largest field was 23 horses (1974) for the 100th running of the Kentucky Derby. The smallest field was just 3 horses (1892 and 1905).