-
2024 Kentucky Derby: Beckman joins his former bosses on the big stage
David Grening Apr 25,2024
-
Appeals court denies injunction to get Muth into Kentucky Derby
Matt Hegarty Apr 25,2024
-
2024 Kentucky Derby: Forever Young will be needing a different kind of clean trip
David Grening Apr 24,2024
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2024 Kentucky Derby Clocker: In first U.S. work, Forever Young goes slow six furlongs
Mike Welsch Apr 24,2024
Derby Watch
Horse/ Best Beyer | Trainer/ Jockey | Odds by David Aragona | ||||||
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Fierceness 110 | Todd Pletcher John Velazquez | 3-1 | ||||||
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BF: Fastest juvenile last year, fastest 3yo this year will take some beating if he establishes early position. | ||||||||
DA: A generational talent on his best day; hard to trust as favorite, but adds serious intrigue to Derby. | ||||||||
Sierra Leone 98 | Chad Brown Tyler Gaffalione | 7-2 | ||||||
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BF: Top-class come-from-behinder finished 1 1/8-mile prep races as if will relish 1 1/4miles. | ||||||||
DA: Few can outfinish him once he gets rolling; finally earned reasonably fast fig in the Blue Grass. | ||||||||
Forever Young NA | Yoshito Yahagi Ryusai Sakai | 8-1 | ||||||
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BF: Dislikes kickback, hence wide trip Dubai; all 19 UAE Derby starters in Ky. Derby finished off board. | ||||||||
DA: His attributes seemingly make him a better fit for this race than prior hyped UAE Derby winners. | ||||||||
Catching Freedom 97 | Brad Cox Flavien Prat | 10-1 | ||||||
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BF: Improving late-runner faces the same traffic challenge as Sierra Leone, at significantly higher odds. | ||||||||
DA: Produced strong kick, appearing to overcome past immaturity in final prep; legit Derby contender. | ||||||||
Just a Touch 96 | Brad Cox Florent Geroux | 12-1 | ||||||
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BF: Ran well intitial route; unraced juvenile fourth start in Derby a la winners Mage-'23, Justify-'18. | ||||||||
DA: Arguably ran as well as winner in fast-paced Blue Grass; has talent to contend; lacks experience. | ||||||||
Honor Marie 96 | Whit Beckman Ben Curtis | 20-1 | ||||||
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BF: Benefited from closers-friendly race flow at FG, will clunk along late in Derby, needs pace meltdown. | ||||||||
DA: Somewhat overshadowed by La. Derby winner, but encouraging to see him get back on track. | ||||||||
Just Steel 95 | D. Wayne Lukas Keith Asmussen | 20-1 | ||||||
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BF: Produced career-best effort despite wide trip in 11th start; upset candidate if he repeats final prep. | ||||||||
DA: Had valid excuses in Southwest and Rebel, so Ark. Derby improvement shouldn't be total shock. | ||||||||
Mystik Dan 101 | Kenny McPeek Brian Hernandez | 20-1 | ||||||
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BF: Uncomfortable and wide trip final prep disguises form; fits off bias-aided romp two back in mud. | ||||||||
DA: Failed to back up his Southwest, but also fair to say Ark. Derby didn't set up for him; tough read. | ||||||||
Resilience 90 | Bill Mott Junior Alvarado | 20-1 | ||||||
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BF: Added blinkers and upset Wood, improving colt bred by late Marty Wygod peaking at right time. | ||||||||
DA: Stamina doesn't seem to be an issue for him, but must run faster and prove it against tougher. | ||||||||
Track Phantom 94 | Steve Asmussen Joel Rosario | 20-1 | ||||||
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BF: Front-runner wasted easy-pace trips both recent, produced by sprint dam, distance limitations? | ||||||||
DA: May not be improving at the same rate as others; Asmussen contemplating blinkers for Derby. | ||||||||
Dornoch 91 | Danny Gargan Luis Saez | 25-1 | ||||||
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BF: Minimal progression as 3yo, expect need-to-lead colt will utilize speed in Derby, hard to endorse. | ||||||||
DA: Haven't loved the visuals of his races or his workouts this year; wonder if he just hasn't gone on. | ||||||||
Encino 94 | Brad Cox undecided | 25-1 | ||||||
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BF: Highly rated synth-to-dirt win gives Cox three Derby prospects; runs in Ky. Derby or Preakness. | ||||||||
DA: Improving at right time, but benefited from apparent rail bias at Kee; still questions to answer. | ||||||||
Stronghold 89 | Phil D'Amato Antonio Fresu | 25-1 | ||||||
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BF: Prep victory among lowest figs in SA Derby history, but may have been "waiting" on runner-up. | ||||||||
DA: Respect his consistency and tenacity, but he took an easier path than others in getting here. | ||||||||
Domestic Product 87 | Chad Brown Irad Ortiz, Jr. | 25-1 | ||||||
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BF: Modest figs earned in dubious prep races, enters Derby off two-month layoff and low-rated win. | ||||||||
DA: Has encountered extremely slow paces in both preps; doing enough to keep himself in the mix. | ||||||||
Endlessly 91 | Michael McCarthy Umberto Rispoli | 30-1 | ||||||
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BF: Turf-synthetic specialist won 5 of 6 starts, but has never raced on dirt, nor worked well on dirt. | ||||||||
DA: Obviously has talent, but looks more turf-inclined; faces a tall order if he ends up running here. | ||||||||
Catalytic 90 | Saffie Joseph Jr. Jose Ortiz | 30-1 | ||||||
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BF: Benefited by speed-friendly race flow finishing second in Florida Derby, appears to be in steep. | ||||||||
DA: Ran admirably in first route attempt, earned decent fig; still has much to prove as a Derby horse. | ||||||||
Grand Mo The First 87 | Victor Barboza Emisael Jaramillo | 40-1 | ||||||
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BF: Finished in another zip code relative to Florida Derby winner Fierceness, probably not fast enough. | ||||||||
DA: A series of minor awards have given him the significant points, but just doesn't class up on form. | ||||||||
Society Man 87 | Danny Gargan Frankie Dettori | 40-1 | ||||||
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BF: Outran 106-1 odds as runner-up wide trip Wood, hits Derby on upward pattern, high odds again. | ||||||||
DA: Not much behind him in surprising Wood placing; has some stamina, but this is a tall order. | ||||||||
T O Password NA | Daisuke Takayanagi Kazushi Kimura | 40-1 | ||||||
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BF: Japan Road to Derby leader with scant credentials, won both starts in big fields, might add pace. | ||||||||
DA: Barely held on in Fukuryu after soft trip; both wins earned at two-turn 9F after racing forwardly. | ||||||||
West Saratoga 85 | Larry Demeritte Jesus Castanon | 40-1 | ||||||
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BF: Won G3 last year at CD, but ranks a notch below based on speed figures and established class. | ||||||||
DA: Was game to hold second after wide trip in Ruby; seasoned runner looks like Derby longshot. | ||||||||
Road to the Derby
Date | Race / Track / Distance | Winner / Beyer | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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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Endlessly 91 | Race Recap View Chart |
Endlessly
91
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Saturday, Mar 23, 2024 |
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Catching Freedom 97 | Race Recap View Chart |
Catching Freedom
97
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Saturday, Mar 30, 2024 |
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Forever Young | Race Recap |
Forever Young
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Saturday, Mar 30, 2024 |
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Fierceness 110 | Race Recap View Chart |
Fierceness
110
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Saturday, Mar 30, 2024 |
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Muth 98 | Race Recap View Chart |
Muth
98
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Saturday, Apr 6, 2024 |
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Resilience 90 | Race Recap View Chart |
Resilience
90
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Saturday, Apr 6, 2024 |
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Sierra Leone 98 | Race Recap View Chart |
Sierra Leone
98
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Saturday, Apr 6, 2024 |
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Stronghold 89 | Race Recap View Chart |
Stronghold
89
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Saturday, Apr 13, 2024 |
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Encino 94 | Race Recap View Chart |
Encino
94
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European Road to the Derby
Date | Race / Track / Distance | Winner | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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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Bergamasco |
Bergamasco
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Saturday, Apr 6, 2024 |
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Japan Road to the Derby
Date | Race / Track / Distance | Winner | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Saturday, Nov 25, 2023 |
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Amante Bianco |
Amante Bianco
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Wednesday, Dec 13, 2023 |
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Forever Young |
Forever Young
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Sunday, Feb 18, 2024 |
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Ramjet |
Ramjet
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Saturday, Mar 23, 2024 |
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T O Password |
T O Password
|
All Top Kentucky Derby News
2024 Kentucky Derby Clocker: Honor Marie shows unexpected early speed
2024 Kentucky Derby: Beckman joins his former bosses on the big stage
Appeals court denies injunction to get Muth into Kentucky Derby
2024 Kentucky Derby: Forever Young will be needing a different kind of clean trip
2024 Kentucky Derby Clocker: In first U.S. work, Forever Young goes slow six furlongs
Kentucky Derby: Who's hot, who's not for April 24, 2024
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Just Steel
2024 Kentucky Derby Clocker: Mott breezes Resilience, Just F Y I on four days' rest
Kentucky Derby: Mott goes back to the well with Resilience, Just F Y I
Kentucky Derby: Jose Ortiz named to ride Catalytic
Kentucky Derby: Fierceness, Sierra Leone arrive at Churchill
2024 Kentucky Derby clocker report: Track Phantom lone Derby worker on Sunday
Kentucky Derby: Grand Mo the First joins field after Deterministic drops out
2024 Kentucky Derby Clocker Report: Cox barn leads busy training session
Kentucky Derby: Sierra Leone has first of two planned works
Kentucky Derby: Stronghold 'full of energy' in final local work
Fierceness continues to train like a powerhouse
Castanon gets second shot at Kentucky Derby with West Saratoga
Kentucky Derby: Zedan files appeal after temporary injunction is denied
Kentucky Derby: Zedan's injunction request denied; emergency appeal planned
Kentucky Derby: Stronghold turned a corner after Sunland Derby win
Kentucky Derby: Who's hot, who's not for April 17, 2024
Torres, Common Defense need defections to get into Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Encino
Kentucky Derby: Final decisions will determine fate of bubble horses
Barboza feeling good about Grand Mo the First's chances of gaining Derby berth
No More Time hurt during workout, will miss Kentucky Derby
Encino, with Lexington win, makes case for Derby berth
Kentucky Derby: Fierceness works in Florida with Velazquez aboard
Kentucky Derby: Just a Touch's progression parallels that of Mage
Kentucky Derby: Who's hot, who's not for April 10, 2024
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Stronghold
Sierra Leone has four weeks to maintain solid form for Kentucky Derby
Resilience's date with Kentucky Derby changes Motts' travel plans
Stronghold as longshot in Kentucky Derby? That's fine with D'Amato
Fierceness strong Kentucky Derby favorite as Future Wager pool closes
Sierra Leone solidifies himself a top Kentucky Derby contender in Blue Grass
Blinkers a big help for Resilience in Wood Memorial victory
Stronghold takes Santa Anita Derby, punches ticket to Kentucky Derby
Hades, seeking Derby berth, hopes Lexington Stakes will get him there
Bracken’s Laugh upsets Cardinal at Chelmsford, unlikely to try Kentucky Derby
Zedan seeks injunction to allow Muth to run in Kentucky Derby
Endlessly might be back in Kentucky Derby picture
Barboza keeping close eye on weekend Derby preps
Kentucky Derby: Who's hot, who's not for April 3, 2024
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Forever Young
Sierra Leone, Dornoch to meet again in Blue Grass Stakes
Timberlake will not run in Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby Future Wager: Fierceness made 7-2 morning-line favorite in final pool
Le Dom Bro, Tapalo among nine late nominations to Triple Crown
Joseph has another live longshot in the Wood
New pick three to be offered for Blue Grass, Santa Anita Derby, Wood Memorial
Lat Long will start in Blue Grass
Fierceness makes statement with dominating Florida Derby triumph
Forever Young passes final test in UAE Derby, ready for Kentucky Derby
Muth looks sharp with easy victory in Arkansas Derby
Kentucky Derby: With Hades, Orseno rises back to the top
Stronghold's strong work labels him a Santa Anita Derby threat
Geroux keeping close eye on Timberlake from afar
Cox hoping Blue Grass is run over fast track
Lukas pointing Seize the Grey to Blue Grass
Two-for-two T O Password expected for Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby: Who's hot, who's not for March 27, 2024
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Fierceness
Muth, Timberlake lead 10-horse field for Arkansas Derby
Catching Freedom, with Louisiana Derby win behind him, waits for Kentucky Derby
Ruby runner-up West Saratoga points to Kentucky Derby
Endlessly not likely to run in Kentucky Derby, trainer says
Catching Freedom goes last to first in Louisiana Derby
Endlessly makes it look easy in Jeff Ruby Steaks
Fierceness draws outside post, made morning-line favorite for Florida Derby
Timberlake puts in impressive final work ahead of Arkansas Derby
Dornoch confirmed for Blue Grass
Fierceness, Hades gets in final Florida Derby works
Muth heads to Arkansas Derby
Kentucky Derby: Some horses better suited for afternoon glory
Brown could train Domestic Product up to Kentucky Derby
Pletcher makes decisions for cross-entered 3-year-olds
Stronghold goes with Santa Anita Derby over Blue Grass
Kentucky Derby: Who's hot, who's not for March 20, 2024
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Track Phantom
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
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. In 2024 and 2025, the Belmont Stakes will be held at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. due to ongoing renovations at Belmont Park.
Recent Kentucky Derby Winners
Year | Horse/Trainer | Horse | Trainer | Beyer |
---|---|---|---|---|
2023 |
Gustavo Delgado
|
Mage | Gustavo Delgado | 105 |
2022 |
Eric Reed
|
Rich Strike | Eric Reed | 101 |
2021 |
Brad Cox
|
Mandaloun | Brad Cox | 101 |
2020 |
Bob Baffert
|
Authentic | Bob Baffert | 105 |
2019 |
Bill Mott
|
Country House | Bill Mott | 99 |
2018 |
Bob Baffert
|
Justify | Bob Baffert | 103 |
2017 |
Todd Pletcher
|
Always Dreaming | Todd Pletcher | 102 |
2016 |
Doug O'Neill
|
Nyquist | Doug O'Neill | 103 |
2015 |
Bob Baffert
|
American Pharoah | Bob Baffert | 105 |
2014 |
Art Sherman
|
California Chrome | Art Sherman | 97 |
2013 |
Shug McGaughey
|
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).