Kentucky Derby 2024

Saturday, May 4, 2024 Churchill Downs

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Sat, Mar. 30, 2024
Gulfstream , 1 1/8 miles
Sat, Mar. 30, 2024
Oaklawn , 1 1/8 miles
Sat, Mar. 30, 2024
Meydan , 1 1/16 miles
Sat, Mar. 23, 2024
Fair Grounds , 1 3/16 miles
Sat, Mar. 23, 2024
Turfway , 1 1/8 miles
Sat, Mar. 9, 2024
Tampa Bay Downs , 1 1/16 miles

Derby Watch

Keeneland Logo - designates Keeneland sale graduate
Horse/ Best Beyer Trainer Odds by David Aragona
Sierra Leone 91 Chad Brown 6-1
Trainer: Chad Brown
Last Race: Risen Star, 2/17, 1st by 1/2, 90 Next Likely Race: Blue Grass, 1 1/8m, Keeneland, 4/6 Owner: Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, and partners Sire: Gun Runner
BF: Early favoritism solidified; two he defeated in Risen Star finished one-two in Louisiana Derby.
DA: Powerful closer beat legitimate rivals in Risen Star; appears to want every bit of Derby distance.
Catching Freedom 97 Keeneland Logo 8-1
Last Race: Louisiana Derby, 3/22, 1st by 1, 97 Next Likely Race: Kentucky Derby, 1 1/4m, Churchill Downs, 5/4 Sire: Constitution
BF: Last-to-first in closers-dominated La. Derby extends pattern: Each start better than start before.
DA: Produced strong kick, appearing to overcome past immaturity in final prep; legit Derby contender.
Fierceness 105 Todd Pletcher 10-1
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Last Race: Holy Bull, 2/3, 3rd by 3 1/2, 84 Next Likely Race: Florida Derby, 1 1/8m, Gulfstream Park, 3/30 Owner: Repole Stable Sire: City of Light
BF: Depending on racing luck, champ 2yo should bounce back in Fla. Dby, but Ky. Derby another story.
DA: There are questions after Holy Bull flop, but appears to be training as well as ever into final prep.
Timberlake 93 Keeneland Logo Brad Cox 10-1
Trainer: Brad Cox
Last Race: Rebel Stakes, 2/24, 1st by 2, 93 Next Likely Race: Arkansas Derby, 1 1/8m, Oaklawn Park, 3/30 Owner: Siena Farm and WinStar Farm Sire: Into Mischief
BF: Solid comeback victory in Rebel, but that race non-productive: 8 ran back, only one hit the board.
DA: Encouraging that he settled early and finished well; perfect start to season for talented colt.
Forever Young NA Yoshito Yahagi 12-1
Trainer: Yoshito Yahagi
Last Race: Saudi Derby, 2/24, 1st by head, NA Next Likely Race: UAE Derby, 1 3/16m, Meydan, March 30 Owner: Susumu Fujita
BF: Expected more in Saudi than narrow win though race was fast; gets preferred two turns in Dubai.
DA: Impressed with his determination in fast edition of Saudi Derby; should earn berth in UAE Derby.
Deterministic 93 Keeneland Logo Christophe Clement 15-1
Trainer: Christophe Clement
Last Race: Gotham, 3/2, 1st by 2, 93 Next Likely Race: Wood Memorial, 1 1/8m, Aqueduct, 4/6 Owner: St.Elias Stable, Ken Langone, Steven Duncker, Vicarage Stable Sire: Liam’s Map
BF: Decisive one-turn comeback win, finished as if he wants two turns, could vie for favoritism in Wood.
DA: Relentless finisher belied his inexperience in stylish Gotham score; now must prove it at two turns.
Dornoch 91 Keeneland Logo Danny Gargan 15-1
Trainer: Danny Gargan
Last Race: Fountain of Youth, 3/2, 1st by 1 3/4, 88 Next Likely Race: Blue Grass, 1 1/8m, Keeneland, 4/6 Owner: West Paces Racing, R. A. Hill Stable, Belmar Racing, Two Eight Racing, Pine Racing Sire: Good Magic
BF: Favorable circumstances (bias, pace) both stakes wins, but has attribute many others lack: speed.
DA: Failed to progress in FOY, where he again was late changing leads; need to see more in final prep.
Honor Marie 96 Keeneland Logo Whit Beckman 15-1
Trainer: Whit Beckman
Last Race: Louisiana Derby, 3/22, 2nd by 1, 96 Next Likely Race: Kentucky Derby, 1 1/4m, Churchill Downs, 5/4 Owner: Ribble Farms Sire: Honor Code
BF: Benefited by closers-friendly race flow at FG, rounding back into form into Kentucky Derby.
DA: Somewhat overshadowed by La. Derby winner, but encouraging to see him get back on track.
Mystik Dan 101 Kenny McPeek 15-1
Trainer: Kenny McPeek
Last Race: Southwest, 2/3, 1st by 8, 101 Next Likely Race: Arkansas Derby, 1 1/8m, Oaklawn Park, 3/30 Owner: Lance Gasaway, 4G Racing, Daniel Hamby Sire: Goldencents
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.
Conquest Warrior 84 Keeneland Logo Shug McGaughey 20-1
Trainer: Shug McGaughey
Last Race: Gulfstream Park N1X, 3/1, 1st by 5, 84 Next Likely Race: Florida Derby, 1 1/8m, Gulfstream Park, 3/30 Owner: Courtlandt Farms Sire: City of Light
BF: Visually impressive winning N1X route, has yet to earn Derby-caliber figure; acid test Sat. at GP.
DA: Has created plenty of fans achieving those last two victories with flair; must run faster Saturday.
Just a Touch 90 Keeneland Logo Brad Cox 20-1
Trainer: Brad Cox
Last Race: Gotham, 3/2, 2nd by 2, 90 Next Likely Race: Undecided Owner: Qatar Racing and Marc Detampel Sire: Justify
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.
Track Phantom 94 Keeneland Logo Steve Asmussen 20-1
Trainer: Steve Asmussen
Last Race: Louisiana Derby, 3/22, 4th by 2 1/2, 94 Next Likely Race: Kentucky Derby, 1 1/4m, Churchill Downs, 5/4 Owner: L & N Racing, Clark Brewster, Jerry Caroom, Breeze Easy Sire: Quality Road
BF: Front-runner squandered easy-pace trips both recent, not sure how far he really wants to run.
DA: May not be improving at the same rate as others; Asmussen contemplating blinkers for Derby.
Domestic Product 87 Chad Brown 25-1
Trainer: Chad Brown
Last Race: Tampa Bay Derby, 3/9, 1st by neck, 82 Next Likely Race: Blue Grass or Ky. Derby, KEE 4/6 or CD, 5/4 Owner: Klaravich Stables Sire: Practical Joke
BF: Seems up against it if he trains into Ky. Derby off two-month layoff and low-rated stakes win.
DA: Has encountered extremely slow paces in both preps; doing enough to keep himself in the mix.
Hades 90 Joe Orseno 25-1
Trainer: Joe Orseno
Last Race: Holy Bull, 2/3, 1st by 2, 90 Next Likely Race: Florida Derby, 1 1/8m, Gulfstream Park, 3/30 Owner: D. J. Stable, Robert Cotran Sire: Awesome Slew
BF: Unbeaten colt’s slow-pace Holy Bull win flattered when runner-up won Tampa Derby next out.
DA: Got dream trip in Holy Bull; must prove that upset win over Fierceness was no fluke on Saturday.
Liberal Arts 88 Robert Medina 30-1
Trainer: Robert Medina
Last Race: Southwest, 2/3, 3rd by 8 1/4, 88 Next Likely Race: Arkansas Derby, 1 1/8m Oaklawn, 3/30, Owner: Evan Ferraro and Stephen Ferraro Sire: Arrogate
BF: Decent wet-track comeback earned career-high fig first start following three-month winter break.
DA: Got good trip, but closed well and galloped out strongly in Southwest; looms Ark. Derby sleeper.
Stronghold 89 Phil D'Amato 30-1
Trainer: Phil D'Amato
Last Race: Sunland Park Derby, 2/18, 1st by 2 1/2, 89 Next Likely Race: Santa Anita Derby 1 1/8m, Santa Anita, 4/6 Owner: Eric and Sharon Waller Sire: Ghostzapper
BF: Currently the only Derby Watch lister from California, one-two every start and training super.
DA: Workmanlike at Sunland; setback for Nysos makes qualifying via SA Derby more of a possibility.
Tuscan Sky 95 Todd Pletcher 30-1
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Last Race: Fair Grounds N1X, 2/17, 1st by 2, 95 Next Likely Race: Undecided Owner: Spendthrift Farm Sire: Vino Rosso
BF: His fast N1X win over two rivals was flattered when runner-up Nash crushed OP stakes next out.
DA: Earned fast fig under ideal circumstances; promising colt still has many questions to answer.
No More Time 80 Jose D'Angelo 40-1
Trainer: Jose D'Angelo
Last Race: Tampa Bay Derby, 3/9, 2nd by neck, 82 Next Likely Race: Kentucky Derby, 1 1/4m, Churchill Downs, 5/4 Owner: Morplay Racing Sire: Not This Time
BF: Got collared despite slow pace, Tampa Bay fig was lowest in 30 yrs, will train into Ky. Derby.
DA: Failed to impress in final prep, but he’s safely in the Derby field; should add pace to the affair.
T O Password NA Daisuke Takayanagi 40-1
Trainer: Daisuke Takayanagi
Last Race: Fukuryu Stakes, 3/23, 1st by head Next Likely Race: Kentucky Derby, 1 1/4m, Churchill Downs, 5/4 Owner: Ozasa Tomoya Sire: Copano Rickey
BF: Japan Road to Derby leader guaranteed berth, two-start colt lacks seasoning, uncertain class.
DA: Barely held on in Fukuryu after soft trip; both wins earned at two-turn 9F after racing forwardly.
West Saratoga 85 Larry Demeritte 50-1
Trainer: Larry Demeritte
Last Race: Jeff Ruby Steaks, 3/23, 2nd by 4, 85 Next Likely Race: Kentucky Derby, 1 1/4m, Churchill Downs, 5/4 Owner: Harry Veruchi Sire: Exaggerator
BF: Sufficient points to make Derby field, did win Churchill G3 last year, seems notch below.
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
Iroquois Churchill Downs , 1 1/16 Miles
Winner: West Saratoga
Beyer: 79
Points (1-2-3-4-5): 10-5-3-2-1
West Saratoga 79 Race Recap View Chart
West Saratoga 79
Saturday, Oct 7, 2023
Champagne Belmont at the Big A , 1 Mile
Winner: Timberlake
Beyer: 93
Points (1-2-3-4-5): 10-5-3-2-1
Timberlake 93 Race Recap View Chart
Timberlake 93
Saturday, Oct 7, 2023
American Pharoah Santa Anita , 1 1/16 Miles
Winner: Muth
Beyer: 91
Points (1-2-3-4-5): 10-5-3-2-1
Muth 91 Race Recap View Chart
Muth 91
Saturday, Oct 7, 2023
Breeders' Futurity Keeneland
Winner: Locked
Beyer: 92
Points (1-2-3-4-5): 10–5–3–2–1
Locked 92 Race Recap View Chart
Locked 92
Sunday, Oct 29, 2023
Street Sense Churchill Downs
Winner: Liberal Arts
Beyer: 83
Points (1-2-3-4-5): 10–5–3–2–1
Liberal Arts 83 Race Recap View Chart
Liberal Arts 83
Saturday, Nov 4, 2023
Breeders' Cup Juvenile Keeneland
Winner: Fierceness
Beyer: 105
Points (1-2-3-4-5): 30–15–9–6–3
Fierceness 105 Race Recap View Chart
Fierceness 105
Saturday, Nov 25, 2023
Kentucky Jockey Club Churchill Downs
Winner: Honor Marie
Beyer: 92
Points (1-2-3-4-5): 10–5–3–2–1
Honor Marie 92 Race Recap View Chart
Honor Marie 92
Saturday, Dec 2, 2023
Remsen Aqueduct , 1 1/8 Miles
Winner: Dornoch
Beyer: 91
Points (1-2-3-4-5): 10-5-3-2-1
Dornoch 91 Race Recap View Chart
Dornoch 91
Friday, Dec 15, 2023
Springboard Mile Remington Park , 1 Mile
Winner: Otto the Conqueror
Beyer: 71
Points (1-2-3-4-5): 10-5-3-2-1
Otto the Conqueror 71 Race Recap View Chart
Otto the Conqueror 71
Saturday, Dec 16, 2023
Los Alamitos Futurity Los Alamitos Race Course , 1 1/16 Miles
Winner: Wynstock
Beyer: 86
Points (1-2-3-4-5): 10-5-3-2-1
Wynstock 86 Race Recap View Chart
Wynstock 86
Saturday, Dec 23, 2023
Gun Runner Fair Grounds , 1 1/16 Miles
Winner: Track Phantom
Beyer: 89
Points (1-2-3-4-5): 10-5-3-2-1
Track Phantom 89 Race Recap View Chart
Track Phantom 89
Monday, Jan 1, 2024
Smarty Jones Oaklawn Park , 1 Mile
Winner: Catching Freedom
Beyer: 87
Points (1-2-3-4-5): 10-5-3-2-1
Catching Freedom 87 Race Recap View Chart
Catching Freedom 87
Saturday, Jan 6, 2024
Jerome Aqueduct , 1 Mile
Winner: Drum Roll Please
Beyer: 80
Points (1-2-3-4-5): 10-5-3-2-1
Drum Roll Please 80 Race Recap View Chart
Drum Roll Please 80
Saturday, Jan 20, 2024
Lecomte Fair Grounds , 1 1/16 Miles
Winner: Track Phantom
Beyer: 90
Points (1-2-3-4-5): 20-10-6-4-2
Track Phantom 90 Race Recap View Chart
Track Phantom 90
Saturday, Feb 3, 2024
Southwest Oaklawn Park , 1 1/16 Miles
Winner: Mystik Dan
Beyer: 101
Points (1-2-3-4-5): 20-10-6-4-2
Mystik Dan 101 Race Recap View Chart
Mystik Dan 101
Saturday, Feb 3, 2024
Holy Bull Gulfstream Park , 1 1/16 miles
Winner: Hades
Beyer: 90
Points (1-2-3-4-5): 20-10-6-4-2
Hades 90 Race Recap View Chart
Hades 90
Saturday, Feb 3, 2024
Robert B. Lewis Santa Anita , 1 1/16 miles
Winner: Nysos
Beyer: 105
Points (1-2-3-4-5): 20-10-6-4-2
Nysos 105 Race Recap View Chart
Nysos 105
Saturday, Feb 3, 2024
Withers Aqueduct , 1 1/8 miles
Winner: Uncle Heavy
Beyer: 84
Points (1-2-3-4-5): 20-10-6-4-2
Uncle Heavy 84 Race Recap View Chart
Uncle Heavy 84
Saturday, Feb 10, 2024
Sam F. Davis Tampa Bay Downs , 1 1/16 miles
Winner: No More Time
Beyer: 80
Points (1-2-3-4-5): 20-10-6-4-2
No More Time 80 Race Recap View Chart
No More Time 80
Saturday, Feb 17, 2024
Risen Star Fair Grounds , 1 1/8 miles
Winner: Sierra Leone
Beyer: 91
Points (1-2-3-4-5): 50-25-15-10-5
Sierra Leone 91 Race Recap View Chart
Sierra Leone 91
Sunday, Feb 18, 2024
Sunland Derby Sunland , 1 1/16 miles
Winner: Stronghold
Beyer: 89
Points (1-2-3-4-5): 20-10-6-4-2
Stronghold 89 Race Recap View Chart
Stronghold 89
Saturday, Feb 24, 2024
Rebel Oaklawn , 1 1/16 miles
Winner: Timberlake
Beyer: 93
Points (1-2-3-4-5): 50-25-15-10-5
Timberlake 93 Race Recap View Chart
Timberlake 93
Saturday, Mar 2, 2024
John Battaglia Memorial Turfway , 1 1/16 miles
Winner: Encino
Beyer: 89
Points (1-2-3-4-5): 20-10-6-4-2
Encino 89 Race Recap View Chart
Encino 89
Saturday, Mar 2, 2024
Gotham Aqueduct , 1 mile
Winner: Deterministic
Beyer: 93
Points (1-2-3-4-5): 50-25-15-10-5
Deterministic 93 Race Recap View Chart
Deterministic 93
Saturday, Mar 2, 2024
Fountain of Youth Gulfstream Park , 1 1/16 miles
Winner: Dornoch
Beyer: 88
Points (1-2-3-4-5): 50-25-15-10-5
Dornoch 88 Race Recap View Chart
Dornoch 88
Sunday, Mar 3, 2024
San Felipe Santa Anita , 1 1/16 miles
Winner: Imagination
Beyer: 96
Points (1-2-3-4-5): 50-25-15-10-5
Imagination 96 Race Recap View Chart
Imagination 96
Saturday, Mar 9, 2024
Tampa Bay Derby Tampa Bay Downs , 1 1/16 miles
Winner: Domestic Product
Beyer: 82
Points (1-2-3-4-5): 50-25-15-10-5
Domestic Product 82 Race Recap View Chart
Domestic Product 82
Saturday, Mar 23, 2024
Jeff Ruby Steaks Turfway , 1 1/8 miles
Winner: Endlessly
Beyer: 91
Points (1-2-3-4-5): 100-50-25-15-10
Endlessly 91 Race Recap View Chart
Endlessly 91
Saturday, Mar 23, 2024
Louisiana Derby Fair Grounds , 1 3/16 miles
Winner: Catching Freedom
Beyer: 97
Points (1-2-3-4-5): 100-50-25-15-10
Catching Freedom 97 Race Recap View Chart
Catching Freedom 97
Saturday, Mar 30, 2024
UAE Derby Meydan , 1 1/16 miles
Points (1-2-3-4-5): 100-50-25-15-10
Preview
Saturday, Mar 30, 2024
Florida Derby Gulfstream , 1 1/8 miles
Points (1-2-3-4-5): 100-50-25-15-10
Preview Get PPs
Saturday, Mar 30, 2024
Arkansas Derby Oaklawn , 1 1/8 miles
Points (1-2-3-4-5): 100-50-25-15-10
Preview Get PPs
Saturday, Apr 6, 2024
Wood Memorial Aqueduct , 1 1/8 miles
Points (1-2-3-4-5): 100-50-25-15-10
Saturday, Apr 6, 2024
Blue Grass Stakes Keeneland , 1 1/8 miles
Points (1-2-3-4-5): 100-50-25-15-10
Saturday, Apr 6, 2024
Santa Anita Derby Santa Anita , 1 1/8 miles
Points (1-2-3-4-5): 100-50-25-15-10
Saturday, Apr 13, 2024
Lexington Keeneland , 1 1/16 miles
Points (1-2-3-4-5): 20-10-6-4-2

European Road to the Derby

Date Race / Track / Distance Winner
Saturday, Sep 23, 2023
Alan Smurfit Memorial Beresford Curragh
Winner: Deepone Beyer:
Points (1-2-3-4-5): 10-5-3-2-1
Deepone
Deepone
Saturday, Sep 30, 2023
Royal Lodge Stakes Newmarket , 1 mile (T)
Winner: Ghostwriter Beyer:
Points (1-2-3-4-5): 10–5–3–2–1
Ghostwriter
Ghostwriter
Sunday, Oct 1, 2023
Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere Longchamp
Winner: Rosallion Beyer:
Points (1-2-3-4-5): 10–5–3–2–1
Rosallion
Rosallion
Saturday, Oct 28, 2023
Kameko Futurity Trophy Doncaster
Winner: Ancient Wisdom Beyer:
Points (1-2-3-4-5): 10–5–3–2–1
Ancient Wisdom
Ancient Wisdom
Wednesday, Feb 21, 2024
Road to the Kentucky Derby Condition Stakes Kempton Park
Winner: Notable Speech Beyer:
Points (1-2-3-4-5): 20–10–6–4–2
Notable Speech
Notable Speech
Friday, Mar 1, 2024
Patton Dundalk
Winner: Beyer:
Points (1-2-3-4-5): 20–10–6–4–2
Saturday, Mar 30, 2024
Cardinal Condition Stakes Chelmsford city
Winner: Beyer:
Points (1-2-3-4-5): 30–15–9–6–3

Japan Road to the Derby

Date Race / Track / Distance Winner
Saturday, Nov 25, 2023
Cattleya Tokyo Racecourse , ~ 1 Mile
Winner: Amante Bianco Beyer:
Points (1-2-3-4-5): 10-5-3-2-1
Amante Bianco
Amante Bianco
Wednesday, Dec 13, 2023
Zen-Nippon Nisai Yushun Kawasaki
Winner: Beyer:
Points (1-2-3-4-5): 20–10–6–4–2
Sunday, Feb 18, 2024
Hyacinth Tokyo Racecourse
Winner: Beyer:
Points (1-2-3-4-5): 30–15–9–6–3
Saturday, Mar 23, 2024
Fukuryu Nakayama
Winner: Beyer:
Points (1-2-3-4-5): 40–20–12–8–4

All Top Kentucky Derby News

Florida Derby: How Fierceness will perform is anyone's guess

Mike Welsch Mar 28,2024
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Handicappers can look at the $1 million Florida Derby from six ways to Sunday but in reality the end result will likely boil down to the one question nobody can really answe

Arkansas Derby: Timberlake has recency edge over Muth, Mystik Dan

Mary Rampellini Mar 28,2024
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Timberlake, Muth, and Mystik Dan will take the most money in the Grade 1, $1.5 million Arkansas Derby on Saturday at Oaklawn Park, but anything can happen when 10 young horses co

Forever Young tops U.A.E Derby, looking to clinch Kentucky Derby spot

Marcus Hersh Mar 28,2024
Maybe Forever Young was a gritty winner over a distance short of his best last month in the Saudi Derby. Or maybe the fact he fought tooth and nail to best New Jersey-bred Book’em Dannno signaled th

Kentucky Derby: With Hades, Orseno rises back to the top

David Grening Mar 27,2024
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Twenty-three years after running his first and only horse in the Kentucky Derby, trainer Joe Orseno is one good performance away from making it back to the world’s most fa

Stronghold's strong work labels him a Santa Anita Derby threat

Brad Free Mar 27,2024
ARCADIA, Calif. – Stronghold’s impressive team work this week at Santa Anita solidified the Grade 3 Sunland Park Derby winner as a contender April 6 in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby. Stronghold

Geroux keeping close eye on Timberlake from afar

Mary Rampellini Mar 27,2024
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Jockey Florent Geroux, who has played an important role in the development of Timberlake, will be watching the horse closely in the Arkansas Derby – from Dubai. Geroux is tr

Cox hoping Blue Grass is run over fast track

David Grening Mar 27,2024
Just a Touch, who finished second as the favorite in the Grade 3 Gotham on March 2 at Aqueduct, will make his next start in the Grade 1, $1 million Blue Grass Stakes on April 6 at Keeneland, trainer B

Lukas pointing Seize the Grey to Blue Grass

Mary Rampellini Mar 27,2024
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Seize the Grey will get a chance to earn more Kentucky Derby points following his third-place finish in the Grade 3 Jeff Ruby Steaks last Saturday at Turfway Park. Trainer D.

Two-for-two T O Password expected for Kentucky Derby

Steve Andersen Mar 27,2024
It does not take long to review the race record of T O Password, the Japan-based colt scheduled to start in the Kentucky Derby on May 4 at Churchill Downs. Unbeaten in two starts, T O Password will

Kentucky Derby: Who's hot, who's not for March 27, 2024

Brad Free Mar 27,2024
WHO’S HOT Catching Freedom took advantage of a pro-closers race flow in the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby to score a last-to-first victory at Fair Grounds and cement his Kentucky Derby credentials. Cat

Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Fierceness

Nicole Russo Mar 27,2024
Fierceness City of Light – Nonna Bella, by Stay Thirsty Bred in Kentucky by Repole Stable Fierceness, who won last November’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile to cement an Eclipse Award champions

Muth, Timberlake lead 10-horse field for Arkansas Derby

Mary Rampellini Mar 24,2024
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Grade 1 winners Muth and Timberlake were among 10 horses entered in the Grade 1, $1.5 million Arkansas Derby, which will be run for the 88th time on Saturday at Oaklawn Park. En

Catching Freedom, with Louisiana Derby win behind him, waits for Kentucky Derby

Marcus Hersh Mar 24,2024
Catching Freedom is catching a ride on a horse van from New Orleans to Louisville, where he’ll have the better part of a six weeks’ wait until a start in the May 4 Kentucky Derby.  Catchin

Ruby runner-up West Saratoga points to Kentucky Derby

Nicole Russo Mar 24,2024
West Saratoga, second to Endlessly in the Grade 3 Jeff Ruby on Saturday at Turfway Park, will proceed to the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, having likely amassed the points to get into the startin

Endlessly not likely to run in Kentucky Derby, trainer says

Nicole Russo Mar 24,2024
Endlessly, who dominated the Grade 3, $700,000 Jeff Ruby Steaks on Saturday at Turfway Park, was to ship to trainer Michael McCarthy’s Churchill Downs barn on Sunday – but most likely not to prepa

Catching Freedom goes last to first in Louisiana Derby

Marcus Hersh Mar 23,2024
NEW ORLEANS - Last of 11 for the first seven furlongs of the Louisiana Derby, Catching Freedom was first at the finish as trainer Brad Cox won the last two races on the Saturday card at Fair Grou

Endlessly makes it look easy in Jeff Ruby Steaks

Nicole Russo Mar 23,2024
FLORENCE, Ky. – Endlessly ran like a heavy favorite should, devouring his foes in the stretch and pouring it on for a four-length win in the Grade 3, $700,000 Jeff Ruby Steaks, the feature among six

Fierceness draws outside post, made morning-line favorite for Florida Derby

Mike Welsch Mar 23,2024
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – If there is any consolation for trainer Todd Pletcher after his 8-5 morning-line favorite Fierceness drew post position 10 for Saturday’s Grade 1, $1 million Florida Derby

Timberlake puts in impressive final work ahead of Arkansas Derby

Marcus Hersh Mar 23,2024
NEW ORLEANS, La. – Timberlake, a leading hope for the Kentucky Derby, had his last work for the Arkansas Derby on March 30 when he breezed a strong five furlongs Saturday at Fair Grounds.  

Dornoch confirmed for Blue Grass

David Grening Mar 23,2024
Dornoch, the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth winner, will make his next start in the Grade 1, $1 million Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland on April 6, trainer Danny Gargan said Saturday. “It’s been my p

Fierceness, Hades gets in final Florida Derby works

Mike Welsch Mar 22,2024
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. -- Several potential starters for next Saturday’s Grade 1, $1 million Florida Derby got in their final works for the race on Friday, including Hades and Fierceness, who finish

Muth heads to Arkansas Derby

Steve Andersen Mar 22,2024
Muth, winner of the Grade 2 San Vicente Stakes at Santa Anita in January and one of the leading 2-year-olds of 2023, will start in the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park on March 30, trainer Bob B

Kentucky Derby: Some horses better suited for afternoon glory

Marcus Hersh Mar 20,2024
NEW ORLEANS – On July 12 of last year, Catching Freedom worked in company with Mozlzil and Quarrymen, the two breeze companions leaving Catching Freedom in their wake. In August and into autumn,

Brown could train Domestic Product up to Kentucky Derby

David Grening Mar 20,2024
Trainer Chad Brown is reconsidering his plan to get one more race into Domestic Product before the Kentucky Derby. Following his narrow victory in the Tampa Bay Derby on March 9, Brown felt that Do

Pletcher makes decisions for cross-entered 3-year-olds

Marcus Hersh Mar 20,2024
NEW ORLEANS – Wednesday was shipping day for the Todd Pletcher-trained 3-year-olds based in Florida and entered in stakes races Saturday at Fair Grounds and Turfway Park, and thus it was time to mak

Stronghold goes with Santa Anita Derby over Blue Grass

Steve Andersen Mar 20,2024
Stronghold, the winner of the Grade 3 Sunland Park Derby in New Mexico in his lone start this year, is scheduled to have his Grade 1 debut in the $750,000 Santa Anita Derby on April 6. Trainer Phil

Kentucky Derby: Who's hot, who's not for March 20, 2024

Brad Free Mar 20,2024
WHO’S HOT Although there were no major dirt races for 3-year-olds last week, the 2023 champion juvenile male Fierceness was in the news. An odds-on third in his only start this year, he is workin

Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Track Phantom

Nicole Russo Mar 20,2024
Track Phantom Colt by Quality Road – Miss Sunset, by Into Mischief Bred in Kentucky by Breeze Easy LLC ($500,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase by L and N Racing) Track Phantom has h

Endlessly tops field of 12 for Saturday's Jeff Ruby Steaks

Nicole Russo Mar 17,2024
A full field of 12, plus two also-eligibles, was entered Saturday evening for Turfway Park’s signature Kentucky Derby prep, the Grade 3, $700,000 Jeff Ruby Steaks on March 23. The Ruby awards Der

Track Phantom draws post 12 in field of 12 for Louisiana Derby

Marcus Hersh Mar 16,2024
A dozen 3-year-olds, headed, nominally, by Track Phantom, one of seven horses trained by Steve Asmussen, Todd Pletcher, and Kenny McPeek, were entered Saturday in the $1 million Louisiana Derby, the f

Dornoch returns to work, next start undecided

David Grening Mar 16,2024
Dornoch, the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth winner, returned to the work tab Saturday morning at the Palm Meadows training center in Florida, breezing a half-mile in 49.95 seconds. T

Uncle Heavy begins prep for Wood Memorial

David Grening Mar 16,2024
Uncle Heavy, the Grade 3 Withers Stakes winner at Aqueduct on Feb. 3, had his first work since that race on Saturday, breezing five furlongs in 1:02.09 at Parx as he prepares for a start in

Fierceness tunes up for Florida Derby with five-furlong work

Mike Welsch Mar 15,2024
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Fierceness continued preparations for his expected start in the $1 million Florida Derby on March 30, working five furlongs in 1:01.03 seconds in company with Tuscan Sky early

Kentucky Derby: Brown would love a win but won't alter training methods

David Grening Mar 13,2024
Through a career that has been built largely on the success of his turf division, Chad Brown has not had the Kentucky Derby as a top priority. However, now into his 17th year of training horses, Brown

Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Domestic Product

Nicole Russo Mar 13,2024
Domestic Product Colt by Practical Joke – Goods and Services, by Paynter Bred in Kentucky by Klaravich Stables   Derby Watch member Domestic Product took another step forward for ow

Kentucky Derby: Who's hot, who's not for March 13, 2024

Brad Free Mar 13,2024
WHO’S HOT Derby Watch prices for top-ranked Sierra Leone and second-ranked Timberlake ticked lower following a key defection and a low-rated prep. Linemaker David Aragona dropped Sierra Leone to

Workers abound for Louisiana Derby, Fair Grounds Oaks

Marcus Hersh Mar 11,2024
Most prominent Fair Grounds-based 3-year-old colts and fillies turned in timed workouts this past Friday through Monday, many of them pointing toward the Louisiana Derby and the Fair Grounds Oaks on M

Kentucky Derby Future Wager: Sierra Leone made 5-1 morning-line favorite for Pool 5

Matt Hegarty Mar 12,2024
Sierra Leone, the recent winner of the Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds, has been made the 5-1 favorite for the fifth offering of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager, which will open Friday, according to

Domestic Product will likely race again before Derby, No More Time likely will not

David Grening Mar 10,2024
OLDSMAR, Fla. - Domestic Product and No More Time, separated by a neck at the finish of Saturday’s Grade 3 Tampa Bay Derby, will likely take different paths to the Kentucky Derby, their connections

Domestic Product sitting on breakthrough race in Tampa Bay Derby

David Grening Mar 07,2024
OLDSMAR, Fla. – Sierra Leone may be the leader of trainer Chad Brown’s roster of Kentucky Derby contenders, but Domestic Product, based on his effort in last month’s Holy Bull Stakes, is not far

Locked off Triple Crown trail with knee injury

David Grening Mar 08,2024
Locked, winner of the Grade 1 Breeders’ Futurity last fall, is off the Triple Crown trail due to an injury to his left knee, Aron Wellman of Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, which co-owns the horse wi

Timberlake continues prep for Blue Grass or Arkansas Derby

Mary Rampellini Mar 08,2024
Timberlake, who opened his season with a win in the Grade 1, $1.25 million Rebel on Feb. 24 at Oaklawn, breezed Friday morning at Fair Grounds. He went a half-mile in 48.40 seconds on a fast track, th

Fierceness works five furlongs for Florida Derby

Mike Welsch Mar 08,2024
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fl. - Trainer Todd Pletcher was busy on a couple of fronts during training hours Friday. At Palm Beach Downs, reigning 2-year-old champion Fierceness continued to prepare for his

Gaffalione to ride Liberal Arts in Arkansas Derby

Mary Rampellini Mar 08,2024
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Jockey Tyler Gaffalione will have the mount on Liberal Arts for the Grade 1, $1.5 million Arkansas Derby, according to trainer Robbie Medina. The race is March 30 at Oaklawn P

Kentucky Derby: D'Angelo going for his biggest U.S. win in Tampa Bay Derby

David Grening Mar 06,2024
Jose Francisco D’Angelo is winning races. Lots of races. He would like to be able to win more of the better races. That seems to be on the horizon. Through Tuesday, D’Angelo has 33 wins this

Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Deterministic

Nicole Russo Mar 06,2024
Deterministic Colt by Liam’s Map – Giulio’s Jewel, by Speightstown Bred in Kentucky by Hinkle Farms ($625,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase by St. Elias Stables) Deterministic m

Domestic Product, No More Time top Tampa Bay Derby

David Grening Mar 04,2024
Domestic Product, runner-up in the Grade 3 Holy Bull on Feb. 3 at Gulfstream, and No More Time, winner of the Sam F. Davis on Feb. 10 at Tampa Bay Downs, top what could be a nine-horse field for Satur

San Felipe: Imagination wins the bob in all-Baffert photo

Brad Free Mar 03,2024
ARCADIA, Calif. – The more things change, the more they stay the same. Twenty-five years after trainer Bob Baffert won his first Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes with Prime Timber, history repeated

Blue Grass, Florida Derby on the table for Dornoch

Mike Welsch Mar 03,2024
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Although most of the talk both before and after Dornoch’s popular victory here Saturday in the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth centered around who didn’t run, rather than

Clement keeping options open for Deterministic after Gotham win

David Grening Mar 03,2024
Trainer Christophe Clement has yet to run a horse in the Kentucky Derby in his 30-year training career, but in Deterministic he has a horse that has the qualifications to get him there for the first t

Time for Truth passes two-turn test, possible for Arkansas Derby

Mary Rampellini Mar 03,2024
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Time for Truth will be debated for a start in the Grade 1, $1.5 million Arkansas Derby on March 30 after a professional allowance route win Saturday at Oaklawn Park. The

Dornoch proves best over dampened Fountain of Youth field

David Grening Mar 02,2024
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Dornoch brought a semblance of sanity to an otherwise crazy renewal of the Fountain of Youth Stakes, recording a front-running, 1 3/4-length victory in the Grade 2, $40

Deterministic delivers on promise with Gotham win

Dan Illman Mar 02,2024
OZONE PARK, N.Y. -- Miguel Clement speaks assuredly and full of confidence when he discusses Deterministic, who earned 50 Kentucky Derby qualifying points when winning Saturday’s Grade 3 Gotham Stak

Dornoch, Speak Easy top scratch-reduced Fountain of Youth Stakes

Mike Welsch Feb 29,2024
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – The complexion of the $400,000 Fountain of Youth Stakes changed dramatically at scratch time Saturday morning when likely favorite Locked and the promising maiden Victory Av

Epic Ride aims to keep rolling in Battaglia Memorial

Nicole Russo Feb 29,2024
Leonatus Stakes winner Epic Ride continues traveling on Turfway Park’s road to the Kentucky Derby on Saturday night as the favorite in an overflow field for the $150,000 John Battaglia Memorial.

Nysos scratches from San Felipe, will await Santa Anita Derby

Brad Free Mar 02,2024
Nysos, the brilliant and undefeated 3-year-old scheduled to run Sunday in the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes at Santa Anita, has been scratched, trainer Bob Baffert confirmed on Saturday. “I scratched

Endlessly to remain on synthetic, will head to Jeff Ruby Stakes

Steve Andersen Feb 29,2024
Endlessly won his 3-year-old debut in the El Camino Real Derby on the synthetic track at Golden Gate Fields Feb. 10 and will remain on that type of surface for his next scheduled start, the Jeff Ruby

Kentucky Derby: Who's hot, who's not for Feb. 28, 2024

Brad Free Feb 28,2024
WHO’S HOT One can’t stop the feeling Timberlake’s reputation is growing. After winning his comeback Feb. 24 at Oaklawn, his first start since finishing fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile,

Tessuto eyes Santa Anita Derby off maiden win

Steve Andersen Feb 28,2024
ARCADIA, Calif. – Tessuto won his first start at a mile in a maiden race at Santa Anita last Sunday in a manner that left trainer George Papaprodromou considering a start in the Grade 1 Santa Anita

Tapalo to stay on synthetic in Jeff Ruby Steaks

Brad Free Feb 28,2024
ARCADIA, Calif. – Stakes-placed Tapalo is the latest California 3-year-old targeting an out-of-state stakes. Stronghold won in New Mexico, Slider runs Saturday in New York, and now Tapalo is heading

Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Dornoch

Nicole Russo Feb 28,2024
Dornoch Colt by Good Magic – Puca, by Big Brown Bred in Kentucky by Grandview Equine ($325,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase by Oracle Bloodstock) Success by Dornoch, a full brother

Timberlake's next start could be Arkansas Derby or Blue Grass Stakes

Mary Rampellini Feb 25,2024
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Timberlake is on schedule to advance to another Kentucky Derby prep after initially emerging from his winning 3-year-old debut in the Grade 2, $1.25 million Rebel at Oaklawn Park

Just a Touch could lead large field for Saturday's Gotham Stakes

David Grening Feb 25,2024
OZONE PARK, N.Y. - With a berth in the Kentucky Derby virtually assured for the winner and with no clear standout, the field for Saturday’s Grade 3, $300,000 Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct could border o

Dornoch, Locked head field of nine in Fountain of Youth

Mike Welsch Feb 24,2024
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Dornoch, winner of the Grade 2 Remsen, and Locked, who finished a distant third as the tepid favorite in the 2023 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, will make their much-anticipated 3-

Timberlake makes statement with Rebel Stakes victory

Mary Rampellini Feb 24,2024
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Timberlake indicated his intent to be a significant player on the Triple Crown trail Saturday, when he won his 3-year-old debut in determined fashion in the Grade 2, $1.25 millio

Forever Young overcomes mistakes to run down Book'em Danno in Saudi Derby

Marcus Hersh Feb 24,2024
Forever Young made many mistakes yet still won the $1.5 million Saudi Derby by a head over Book’em Danno on Saturday at King Abdulaziz Racecourse.  Based in Japan, Forever Young brought a 3-

Real Macho, Victory Avenue get in drills for Fountain of Youth

Mike Welsch Feb 23,2024
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – A pair of potential candidates for next Saturday’s Grade 2 Fountain of Youth, Real Macho and Victory Avenue, got in their final major preps at Gulfstream Park on Friday mo

Cox trio works ahead of Gotham

David Grening Feb 23,2024
Trainer Brad Cox could run as many as four horses in the Grade 3 Gotham Stakes and three of those horses put in workouts Friday morning at Belmont. Bergen, winner of the Jimmy Winkfield Stakes on J

No More Time to start in Tampa Bay Derby off Sam Davis victory

David Grening Feb 22,2024
No More Time, winner of the Grade 3 Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs Feb. 10, will head back to the Oldsmar, Fla. track for his next start in the Grade 3, $400,000 Tampa Bay Derby March 9, owner

Real Macho gets another two-turn try in Fountain of Youth

Mike Welsch Feb 21,2024
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Real Macho figures to be one of the longer prices on the board going postward a week from Saturday in the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth. But that does not concern trainer Rohan

Victory Avenue to make next start in Fountain of Youth

David Grening Feb 21,2024
Victory Avenue, second as the favorite in his career debut, will make his next start in the Grade 2, $400,000 Fountain of Youth at Gulfstream Park on March 2, Ramiro Restrepo, who represents part of t

Kentucky Derby: Who's hot, who's not for Feb. 21, 2024

Brad Free Feb 21,2024
WHO’S HOTSierra Leone went from tepid favoritism on Derby Watch to clear-cut chalk following his solid comeback victory Feb. 17 in the Grade 2 Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds. Sierra Leone’s pri

Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Timberlake

Nicole Russo Feb 21,2024
Timberlake Colt by Into Mischief – Pin Up, by Lookin At Lucky Bred in Kentucky by St. Elias Stables ($350,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase by Maverick Racing and Siena Farm) Into M

Stronghold takes Sunland Derby, climbs to fourth in Derby points

Mary Rampellini Feb 18,2024
Stronghold picked up 20 points for the Kentucky Derby when he captured the Grade 3, $400,000 Sunland Park Derby by 2/12 lengths over Alotaluck on Sunday. It was another head back in third to pacesette

Sierra Leone to Blue Grass, Track Phantom to Louisiana Derby after Risen Star

Marcus Hersh Feb 18,2024
Pacesetting Track Phantom could not hold off hard charging Sierra Leone on Saturday at Fair Grounds in the Risen Star Stakes, but next month in the Louisiana Derby he won’t have to. While Track P

Timberlake returns, draws post 7 for Rebel

Mary Rampellini Feb 18,2024
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Timberlake will be part of a field of 13 when he makes his first start since the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile in the Grade 2, $1.25 million Rebel Stakes on Saturday at Oaklawn Park.

Relentless Sierra Leone catches Track Phantom late in Risen Star Stakes

Marcus Hersh Feb 17,2024
What can $2.3 million buy you these days? A serious Kentucky Derby contender.  Sierra Leone, who snatched defeat from the jaws of victory on Dec. 2 in the Remsen Stakes, his 2-year-old finale,

Locked back on the beam with work for possible start in Fountain of Youth

Mike Welsch Feb 16,2024
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Locked, among the more highly regarded 3-year-olds on this year’s Kentucky Derby trail, moved a step closer to finally launching his 2024 campaign after working four furlo

Kentucky Derby: Beckman looks to put his classic experience to good use with Honor Marie

Marcus Hersh Feb 14,2024
David Whitworth Beckman has helped many horses get to Triple Crown races. He worked with Uncle Mo and Eskendereya, both scratched in the run-up to the Kentucky Derby, and with Super Saver, who won the

Pletcher has five 3-year-olds running on Risen Star card

Marcus Hersh Feb 14,2024
Given his depth in the division, Todd Pletcher does not have an easy time finding suitable spots for his phalanx of 3-year-olds. Thus, he was shipping five of them mid-week from his winter base at Pal

Following strong work, Timberlake confirmed for Rebel Stakes

Marcus Hersh Feb 14,2024
In early January, his horse gearing up for his first timed workout following a post-Breeders’ Cup respite, trainer Brad Cox said everything would have to go right with Timberlake for the colt to mak

Domestic Product will get added seasoning in Tampa Bay Derby

David Grening Feb 14,2024
Domestic Product, runner-up to Hades in the Holy Bull Stakes on Feb. 3 at Gulfstream Park, will most likely make his next start in the Grade 3, $400,000 Tampa Bay Derby on March 9, trainer Chad Brown

Withers winner Uncle Heavy stuck on farm due to herpesvirus quarantine

David Grening Feb 14,2024
Uncle Heavy, the Grade 3 Withers winner, remains at a farm approximately 20 minutes from Parx Racing in Bensalem, Pa., as his connections ponder when and where to move the 3-year-old colt. Due to t

Kentucky Derby: Who's hot, who's not for Feb. 14, 2024

Brad Free Feb 14,2024
WHO’S HOT Sierra Leone is the updated Derby Watch favorite, at least until he runs Saturday in an outstanding edition of the Grade 2 Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds. Derby Watch linemaker David

Tejon Pass, Time for Truth possible for Rebel Stakes

Mary Rampellini Feb 14,2024
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Stakes-placed runners Tejon Pass and Time for Truth are both potential new shooters for the 3-year-old series at Oaklawn Park, as the pair are under serious consideration for the

Tapalo could head to Turfway for Jeff Ruby

Steve Andersen Feb 14,2024
Tapalo, second in the El Camino Real Derby at Golden Gate Fields on Saturday, is under consideration for the March 23 Grade 3 Jeff Ruby Steaks at Turfway Park, trainer John Sadler said. Tapalo had

2024 Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Sierra Leone

Nicole Russo Feb 14,2024
Sierra Leone Colt by Gun Runner – Heavenly Love, by Malibu Moon Bred in Kentucky by Debby Oxley ($2.3 million Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling purchase by White Birch Farm and M.V. Magnier) S

No More Time possible for either Tampa Bay Derby or Florida Derby

David Grening Feb 11,2024
The connections of Sam F. Davis Stakes winner No More Time will have plenty of time to figure out their path to try and get to the Kentucky Derby. While nothing is definite on where No More Time will

No More Time goes gate-to-wire to grab Derby points in Sam F. Davis

David Grening Feb 10,2024
Trainer Jose D’Angelo scratched No More Time out of last weekend’s Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park because he felt the horse needed a little more time to be at his best. D’Angelo’s

Track Phantom draws post 11 for Risen Star

Marcus Hersh Feb 10,2024
The Risen Star Stakes, drawn a week in advance Saturday at Fair Grounds, attracted a field of 12, more than befitting the year’s first 105-point qualifying race toward the 150th Kentucky Derby. 

Kentucky Derby 2024: Pletcher has yet another case of prep hiccups

David Grening Feb 07,2024
Having started more horses in the Kentucky Derby than any other trainer, and attempted to get even more to the race who didn’t make it, Todd Pletcher knows the pitfalls of the Triple Crown trail as

Hall of Fame, Track Phantom on target for Risen Star

Marcus Hersh Feb 07,2024
Second in the 2022 Kentucky Derby with Epicenter, who wound up champion 3-year-old, and fourth in the 2023 Derby with Disarm, trainer Steve Asmussen saw favored Carbone finish seventh last weekend in

Dornoch works toward Fountain of Youth

David Grening Feb 07,2024
Dornoch, the Grade 2 Remsen winner, had his third work of the year Wednesday, breezing a half-mile in 49.10 seconds at the Palm Meadows training center in Florida. Dornoch, a full brother to 2023 Kent

Kentucky Derby: Who's hot, who's not for Feb. 7, 2024

Brad Free Feb 07,2024
WHO’S HOT Locked spiked a fever, which delays his comeback, but the Grade 1 winner opens as the 8-1 Derby Watch favorite by Daily Racing Form linemaker David Aragona. Locked, who won the Breeders

Stronghold hoping to make Sunland Park Derby

Steve Andersen Feb 07,2024
Stronghold was scratched from the Grade 3 Robert Lewis Stakes at Santa Anita last Saturday in favor of a scheduled start in the Grade 3 Sunland Park Derby on Feb. 18 in New Mexico. Now, trainer Phi

2024 Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Hades

Nicole Russo Feb 07,2024
Hades Gelding by Awesome Slew – The Shady Lady, by Quality Road Bred in Florida by Ocala Stud, Joseph M. O’Farrell III, David O’Farrell, et al ($130,000 Ocala Breeders’ Sales Co. spring 2-ye

Triple Crown early nominations close with 346 eligible, down from 369 in 2023

David Grening Feb 06,2024
Led by 54 horses from the barn of trainer Todd Pletcher and a record 47 Japanese-based horses, a total of 346 3-year-olds were nominated to this year’s Triple Crown, it was announced Tuesday. The

Locked will miss Sam F. Davis Stakes due to temperature, Pletcher says

David Grening Feb 04,2024
Locked, the Grade 1 Breeders’ Futurity winner who was scheduled to make his 3-year-old debut in next Saturday’s Grade 3, $250,000 Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs, will miss that race after

Hades, after Holy Bull upset, may wait until Florida Derby for next start

David Grening Feb 04,2024
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Hades earned his way onto the Kentucky Derby trail with his upset victory in Saturday’s Grade 3, $250,000 Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park. While his next step hasn’t b

Prat's great start to 2024 continues aboard Nysos in Robert Lewis

Steve Andersen Feb 04,2024
ARCADIA, Calif. - Five weeks into 2024, Flavien Prat has amassed an intriguing collection of stakes wins, particularly on the last two Saturdays. On Jan. 27, he won the Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup at

Mystik Dan's next start likely will be Arkansas Derby

Mary Rampellini Feb 04,2024
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Mystik Dan will likely make his next start in the Grade 1, $1.5 million Arkansas Derby on March 30 after he established himself as a 3-year-old of significance Saturday with his

Uncle Heavy, after Withers win, targets Wood Memorial as next start

David Grening Feb 04,2024
While the connections of Withers winner Uncle Heavy were discussing a few options for the 3-year-old’s next start, the decision was basically made for them due to a confirmed case of equine herpesvi

Hades springs upset in Holy Bull Stakes as Fierceness fades to third

Mike Welsch Feb 03,2024
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – With the Grade 3, $250,000 Holy Bull all but conceded to 2023 juvenile male champion Fierceness, it was the lightly raced Florida-bred Hades who stole the spotlight instead.

Nysos, with Robert Lewis triumph, makes it clear who's best in California

Brad Free Feb 03,2024
ARCADIA, Calif. – If there was any doubt to the identity of the best 3-year-old in California, Nysos put those doubts to rest Saturday at Santa Anita. In his initial try around two turns, and jus

Uncle Heavy noses El Grande O for Withers victory

David Grening Feb 03,2024
Trainer Butch Reid felt if Uncle Heavy had one advantage over his rivals in Saturday’s Grade 3, $250,000 Withers Stakes at Aqueduct it was his belief his horse wanted every bit of the 1 1/8-miles of

Salesman possible for Santa Anita Handicap

Steve Andersen Jan 31,2024
Salesman, unraced since an easy win in the Grade 3 Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance at Santa Anita in November, is a candidate for the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap on March 2, the track’s main race f

Twenty years ago, Smarty Jones put Oaklawn's 3-year-old series on the map

Mary Rampellini Jan 31,2024
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – It was 20 years ago this month that Smarty Jones won the Southwest Stakes and set off a life-changing sequence of events for both his connections and Oaklawn Park. In a perfec

Clement makes rare move onto road to Kentucky Derby

David Grening Jan 31,2024
INDIANTOWN, Fla. – Though he has already won a Triple Crown race in his career, trainer Christophe Clement is not a name one typically associates with the Triple Crown trail. Saturday, Clement wi

D'Angelo re-routes No More Time, Bentornato from Holly Bull and Swale

David Grening Jan 31,2024
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – The fields for both the Grade 3 Holy Bull Stakes and listed Swale Stakes Saturday at Gulfstream Park will lose at least one starter as trainer Jose D’Angelo said Wednesday

Kentucky Derby: Baffert owners take a stand; don't transfer horses by deadline

David Grening Jan 30,2024
Owners who have 3-year-olds with trainer Bob Baffert that were nominated to the Triple Crown did not move those horses to other barns by Monday, meaning they will not be eligible to run in the Kentuck

Brown takes blinkers off Domestic Product for Holy Bull Stakes

David Grening Jan 29,2024
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – While Sierra Leone certainly earned his way onto the Triple Crown trail by rallying from last to finish second in the Grade 2 Remsen Stakes last December, his trainer, Chad

Fierceness leads field of eight in Saturday's Holy Bull

Mike Welsch Jan 28,2024
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Recently elected Juvenile champion Fierceness will make his much-anticipated 3-year-old debut as expected Saturday at Gulfstream Park in the $250,000 Holy Bull Stakes. The Gra

Oaklawn's delayed Southwest Stakes Day will feature large crowd of entries

Mary Rampellini Jan 28,2024
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – The decision to delay Southwest Stakes Day a week after a winter storm impacted training at Oaklawn Park paid dividends at the entry box Sunday, when 12 horses were entered for S

Maymun latest star shooting out of Baffert's stable

Steve Andersen Jan 21,2024
ARCADIA, Calif. - Maymun, the easy winner of a maiden race at Santa Anita on Saturday, is the latest prospect on a growing list of dynamic 3-year-olds trained by Bob Baffert. Maymun won his debut o

Next for Track Phantom: Risen Star Stakes

Marcus Hersh Jan 21,2024
Track Phantom came out of his Saturday win in the Lecomte Stakes looking fresh, healthy, and happy Sunday morning. His next stop: The Risen Star Stakes on Feb. 17, when a new challenger will

Track Phantom holds off Nash in Lecomte Stakes

Marcus Hersh Jan 20,2024
Track Phantom was better than 1-2 favorite Nash in the Gun Runner Stakes a month ago and was better than 11-10 favorite Nash again Saturday in the Grade 3, $200,000 Lecomte Stakes at Fair Grounds.&nbs

Field, Fierceness open as top choices in Kentucky Derby future wager pool

Matt Hegarty Jan 17,2024
The first Kentucky Derby future wager pool of 2024 will be held this weekend, with little on the schedule to influence the odds of the 39 individual betting interests. As is customary for the first

Track Phantom highlights this week's Lecomte Stakes field

Marcus Hersh Jan 14,2024
Track Phantom is not hiding in the shadows. After acing his stakes debut Dec. 23 in the Gun Runner Stakes, Track Phantom wheels back Jan. 20 at Fair Grounds to make his first 3-year-old start in

Muth shows he belongs in Eclipse picture with San Vicente

Steve Andersen Jan 07,2024
ARCADIA, Calif. - Of the 30 flat horses that are finalists for the 2023 Eclipse Awards in age or surface categories, only the 3-year-old colt Muth is based in California. Muth was the star 2-year-o

Drum Roll Please will point to Withers, Cox says

David Grening Jan 07,2024
OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Last year, trainer Brad Cox used the New York series of 3-year-old races to get Hit Show to the Triple Crown, where he finished fifth in the Kentucky Derby and dead-heated for fourt

Drum Roll Please overcomes slow pace to take Jerome

David Grening Jan 06,2024
OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Javier Castellano won his first Kentucky Derby in 2023 and it’s a feeling the 46-year-old jockey would certainly like to experience again. Castellano rode Drum Roll Plea

Catching Freedom snatches first Derby points of the year in Smarty Jones

Mary Rampellini Jan 01,2024
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Catching Freedom struck first on Oaklawn Park’s road to the Kentucky Derby on Monday, when he put in a determined run through the stretch to win the $300,000 Smarty Jones Stake

Track Phantom makes Gun Runner first stakes victory

Marcus Hersh Dec 23,2023
Not only did the betting public side with the wrong Churchill Downs maiden winner, the money favored the wrong Steve Asmussen-trained horse Saturday in the $100,000 Gun Runner Stakes at Fair

Glengarry gives two turns a try in Springboard Mile

Mary Rampellini Dec 13,2023
Kentucky Derby points will be up for grabs Friday night at Remington Park, where the undefeated Glengarry battles possible favorite Otto the Conqueror, the promising Gettysburg Address, Southern Calif

Coach Prime steps into spotlight in Los Alamitos Futurity

Steve Andersen Dec 14,2023
With the name comes built-in hype. Coach Prime, the electrifying winner of a maiden race at Del Mar last month, will have his stakes debut in Saturday’s Grade 2 Los Alamitos Futurity, very much a

Dornoch, after Remsen win, possible for Withers Stakes

David Grening Dec 03,2023
OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Dornoch and Sierra Leone, separated by nose in Saturday’s Grade 2 Remsen Stakes, will soon head to South Florida to train for the winter, but at least one could make a return trip

Dornoch's victory in Remsen highlights Puca's productivity

Nicole Russo Dec 03,2023
The stock of the relatively young broodmare Puca continues to skyrocket, as Dornoch, a full brother to her Kentucky Derby winner Mage, became a graded stakes winner with his game victory in the Grade

Track Phantom, Hall of Fame may go separate ways

Marcus Hersh Mar 06,2024
While Track Phantom and Hall of Fame worked five furlongs together on March 3 at Fair Grounds, the two Steve Asmussen-trained colts may or may not be racing together March 23 in the $1 million Louisia

Dornoch rallies to edge Sierra Leone in Remsen Stakes

David Grening Dec 02,2023
OZONE PARK, N.Y. - He skimmed the rail in upper stretch and got passed by almost a length by another horse in midstretch. None of that mattered to Dornoch, who battled back along the inside to win Sat

Honor Marie, trainer Beckman grab first graded stakes wins in Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes

Marcus Hersh Nov 25,2023
The 2-year-old colt Honor Marie never had run in a route or stakes race and his trainer, Whit Beckman, never had won a graded stakes. Neither of those facts held true after Honor Marie made a sus

Fierceness made individual favorite in second Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool

Matt Hegarty Nov 20,2023
Fierceness, the winner of the Nov. 3 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile and the leading candidate for 2-year-old champion colt, has been made the 15-1 individual betting favorite for the second Kentucky Derby F

Breeders' Cup Juvenile: Fierceness takes first step down Kentucky Derby Road

David Grening Nov 04,2023
ARCADIA, Calif. - Fierceness, dominant 6 1/4-length winner of Friday’s $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Santa Anita, will likely take the same Florida path to the Kentucky Derby that his prede

Locked, Timberlake among top individuals listed in first pool of Kentucky Derby Future Wager

Matt Hegarty Oct 30,2023
Two of the leading contenders in Friday’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile among the 38 individual horses comprising the first Kentucky Derby Future Wager parimutuel pool, which will open on Tuesday and clo

Liberal Arts gets up late in Street Sense triumph

Nicole Russo Oct 29,2023
Liberal Arts, last in a field of five approaching the head of the stretch, cleared the field in the final stages for a 2 3/4-length win over favored Moonlight in the Grade 3, $200,000 Street Sense Sta

'All others' 4-5 favorite in Pool 1 of Kentucky Derby Future Wager

Matt Hegarty Nov 03,2023
The entry of “all other colts or geldings” in Pool 1 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager that closed on Thursday night was the 4-5 favorite, with Locked, the morning-line favorite in Friday’s Bre

Final time for Breeders' Futurity changed, Beyer Figure adjusted

Marcus Hersh Oct 12,2023
The official time of the Breeders’ Futurity on Oct. 7 at Keeneland was revised this week from 1:45.06 to 1:44.62 after hand-timing of race video revealed a discrepancy with the 1 1/16-mile race’s

Muth makes his expensive purchase price look good in American Pharoah Stakes

Steve Andersen Oct 08,2023
ARCADIA, Calif. - Muth won his first stakes in his third start in Saturday’s Grade 1 American Pharoah Stakes at Santa Anita, but it was not the first time the colt has been at the center of this yea

Timberlake skips away in Champagne victory

Mary Rampellini Oct 07,2023
Timberlake established himself as one of the top choices for next month’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile after his 4 1/4-length win over General Partner in the Grade 1, $500,000 Champagne on Saturday at A

Locked narrowly scores in Breeders' Futurity

Nicole Russo Oct 07,2023
LEXINGTON, Ky. — Locked continued a loaded opening weekend at Keeneland for his connections by overcoming a wide trip and a stubborn foe for a half-length victory in the Grade 1, $600,000 Breeders'

West Saratoga comes from off the pace for upset in Iroquois Stakes

Nicole Russo Sep 16,2023
West Saratoga led throughout for a victory last time out and was well-drawn toward the inside of the field to perhaps use similar tactics in the Grade 3, $300,000 Iroquois Stakes on Saturday at Church

Baffert, Zedan seek judicial review of 2021 Kentucky Derby penalties

Matt Hegarty Sep 15,2023
LEXINGTON, Ky. - Trainer Bob Baffert and owner Amr Zedan have filed a petition in Franklin Circuit Court in Kentucky seeking judicial review of the penalties that were handed down after Medina Spirit

Iroquois, Pocahontas kick off road to Kentucky Derby and Oaks

Nicole Russo Sep 14,2023
The build-up is already well under way toward the respective 150th editions of the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks next May. But officially, the prep racing toward those classics gets started on Satu

Churchill announces Derby points changes

Matt Hegarty Sep 08,2023
Churchill Downs has modified the system that awards points to horses seeking a berth in the Kentucky Derby by increasing the amount of points for second-place finishes in the 37 races that are a part

Mage runs down Two Phil's in stretch for Kentucky Derby victory

Marcus Hersh May 06,2023
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Mage, who only made his first start on Jan. 28, won the Kentucky Derby in his fourth. Surging powerfully from behind a strong pace, Mage ran down Two Phil’s, who got a sweet r

Kentucky Derby Point Standings

Rank
Horse/Trainer Horse/ Trainer
Horse
Trainer
Points
Non-Restricted Stakes Earnings
1
Catching Freedom
Brad Cox
Catching Freedom
Brad Cox
125
$802,000
2
Endlessly
Mike McCarthy
Endlessly
Mike McCarthy
100
$658,000
3
Track Phantom
Steve Asmussen
Track Phantom
Steve Asmussen
70
$300,000
4
West Saratoga
Larry Demeritte
West Saratoga
Larry Demeritte
67
$363,640
5
Timberlake
Brad Cox
Timberlake
Brad Cox
66
$1,053,750
6
Honor Marie
Whit Beckman
Honor Marie
Whit Beckman
65
$448,455
7
Dornoch
Danny Gargan
Dornoch
Danny Gargan
60
$425,500
8
Domestic Product
Chad Brown
Domestic Product
Chad Brown
60
260,500
9
Sierra Leone
Chad Brown
Sierra Leone
Chad Brown
55
$290,000
10
Deterministic
Christophe Clement
Deterministic
Christophe Clement
50
$165,000
11
No More Time
Jose D’Angelo
No More Time
Jose D’Angelo
45
194,380
12
Common Defense
Kenny McPeek
Common Defense
Kenny McPeek
37
$253,450
13
Fierceness
Todd Pletcher
Fierceness
Todd Pletcher
36
$1,069,500
14
El Grande O
Linda Rice
El Grande O
Linda Rice
30
$151,000
15
Seize the Grey
Wayne Lukas
Seize the Grey
Wayne Lukas
27
$100,663
16
Stronghold
Phil D'Amato
Stronghold
Phil D'Amato
25
$292,800
17
Le Dom Bro
Eniel Cordero
Le Dom Bro
Eniel Cordero
25
106,000
18
Tuscan Gold
Chad Brown
Tuscan Gold
Chad Brown
25
$100,000
19
Just a Touch
Brad Cox
Just a Touch
Brad Cox
25
$60,000
20
Mystik Dan
Kenny McPeek
Mystik Dan
Kenny McPeek
21
$418,800
21
Hades
Joe Orseno
Hades
Joe Orseno
20
$161,900
22
Uncle Heavy
“Butch” Reid Jr.
Uncle Heavy
“Butch” Reid Jr.
20
$137,500
23
Encino
Brad Cox
Encino
Brad Cox
20
$87,536
24
Liberal Arts
Robert Medina
Liberal Arts
Robert Medina
19
$220,325
25
Mc Vay
John Shirreffs
Mc Vay
John Shirreffs
19
$48,000
26
Northern Flame
Kenny McPeek
Northern Flame
Kenny McPeek
18
$138,000
27
Lucky Jeremy
Bill Morey
Lucky Jeremy
Bill Morey
16
$119,200
28
Scatify
John Sadler
Scatify
John Sadler
16
$24,000
29
Just Steel
Wayne Lukas
Just Steel
Wayne Lukas
15
$334,545
30
Grand Mo the First
Victor Barboza Jr.
Grand Mo the First
Victor Barboza Jr.
15
71,250
31
Triple Espresso
Todd Pletcher
Triple Espresso
Todd Pletcher
15
$63,000
32
Nash
Brad Cox
Nash
Brad Cox
13
$50,000
33
Agate Road
Todd Pletcher
Agate Road
Todd Pletcher
10
$204,750
34
Otto the Conqueror
Steve Asmussen
Otto the Conqueror
Steve Asmussen
10
$180,000
35
Alotaluck
Ty Garrett
Alotaluck
Ty Garrett
10
$105,360
36
Epic Ride
John Ennis
Epic Ride
John Ennis
10
$104,565
37
Dancing Groom
Antonio Sano
Dancing Groom
Antonio Sano
10
$83,102
38
Real Macho
Rohan Crichton
Real Macho
Rohan Crichton
10
$20,000
39
Maximus Meridius
“Butch” Reid Jr.
Maximus Meridius
“Butch” Reid Jr.
10
$18,000
40
Good Money
Chad Brown
Good Money
Chad Brown
10
17,500
41
Resilience
Bill Mott
Resilience
Bill Mott
10
$16,000
42
Informed Patriot
Steve Asmussen
Informed Patriot
Steve Asmussen
8
$58,640
43
Moonlight
Todd Pletcher
Moonlight
Todd Pletcher
7
$55,000
44
Lightline
Brad Cox
Lightline
Brad Cox
6
$30,000
45
Blue Eyed George
Michael McCarthy
Blue Eyed George
Michael McCarthy
6
$27,588
46
Lat Long
Kenny McPeek
Lat Long
Kenny McPeek
6
$20,000
47
The Wine Steward
Mike Maker
The Wine Steward
Mike Maker
5
$180,510
48
Real Men Violin
Kenny McPeek
Real Men Violin
Kenny McPeek
5
$78,050
49
Awesome Road
Brad Cox
Awesome Road
Brad Cox
5
$60,008
50
Dimatic
Steve Asmussen
Dimatic
Steve Asmussen
5
$41,250
51
Khanate
Todd Pletcher
Khanate
Todd Pletcher
5
$28,000
52
Capital Idea
Christophe Clement
Capital Idea
Christophe Clement
5
$12,000
53
Heartened
Todd Pletcher
Heartened
Todd Pletcher
5
$10,500
54
Inveigled
Jane Cibelli
Inveigled
Jane Cibelli
4
$39,750
55
Gettysburg Address
Brad Cox
Gettysburg Address
Brad Cox
4
$26,200
56
Deposition
Uriah St. Lewis
Deposition
Uriah St. Lewis
4
$21,000
57
Curlin’s Kaos
Antonio Garcia
Curlin’s Kaos
Antonio Garcia
4
$19,400
58
Elysian Meadows
Bill Mott
Elysian Meadows
Bill Mott
4
$10,000
59
Be You
Todd Pletcher
Be You
Todd Pletcher
3
$54,000
60
Footprint
Kenny McPeek
Footprint
Kenny McPeek
2
$4,000
61
Fulmineo
Arnaud Delacour
Fulmineo
Arnaud Delacour
2
$46,000
62
Moonlit Sonata
Tim Yakteen
Moonlit Sonata
Tim Yakteen
2
$8,000
63
Tizzy Indy
Keith Desormeaux
Tizzy Indy
Keith Desormeaux
2
$4,000
Access Related Products
About the Kentucky Derby

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.

Kentucky Derby Point Standings
Rank
Horse/Trainer
Horse
Trainer
Points
1
Catching Freedom
Brad Cox
Catching Freedom
Brad Cox
125
2
Endlessly
Mike McCarthy
Endlessly
Mike McCarthy
100
3
Track Phantom
Steve Asmussen
Track Phantom
Steve Asmussen
70
4
West Saratoga
Larry Demeritte
West Saratoga
Larry Demeritte
67
5
Timberlake
Brad Cox
Timberlake
Brad Cox
66
6
Honor Marie
Whit Beckman
Honor Marie
Whit Beckman
65
7
Dornoch
Danny Gargan
Dornoch
Danny Gargan
60
8
Domestic Product
Chad Brown
Domestic Product
Chad Brown
60
9
Sierra Leone
Chad Brown
Sierra Leone
Chad Brown
55
10
Deterministic
Christophe Clement
Deterministic
Christophe Clement
50
11
No More Time
Jose D’Angelo
No More Time
Jose D’Angelo
45
12
Common Defense
Kenny McPeek
Common Defense
Kenny McPeek
37
13
Fierceness
Todd Pletcher
Fierceness
Todd Pletcher
36
14
El Grande O
Linda Rice
El Grande O
Linda Rice
30
15
Seize the Grey
Wayne Lukas
Seize the Grey
Wayne Lukas
27
16
Stronghold
Phil D'Amato
Stronghold
Phil D'Amato
25
17
Le Dom Bro
Eniel Cordero
Le Dom Bro
Eniel Cordero
25
18
Tuscan Gold
Chad Brown
Tuscan Gold
Chad Brown
25
19
Just a Touch
Brad Cox
Just a Touch
Brad Cox
25
20
Mystik Dan
Kenny McPeek
Mystik Dan
Kenny McPeek
21
21
Hades
Joe Orseno
Hades
Joe Orseno
20
22
Uncle Heavy
“Butch” Reid Jr.
Uncle Heavy
“Butch” Reid Jr.
20
23
Encino
Brad Cox
Encino
Brad Cox
20
24
Liberal Arts
Robert Medina
Liberal Arts
Robert Medina
19
25
Mc Vay
John Shirreffs
Mc Vay
John Shirreffs
19
26
Northern Flame
Kenny McPeek
Northern Flame
Kenny McPeek
18
27
Lucky Jeremy
Bill Morey
Lucky Jeremy
Bill Morey
16
28
Scatify
John Sadler
Scatify
John Sadler
16
29
Just Steel
Wayne Lukas
Just Steel
Wayne Lukas
15
30
Grand Mo the First
Victor Barboza Jr.
Grand Mo the First
Victor Barboza Jr.
15
31
Triple Espresso
Todd Pletcher
Triple Espresso
Todd Pletcher
15
32
Nash
Brad Cox
Nash
Brad Cox
13
33
Agate Road
Todd Pletcher
Agate Road
Todd Pletcher
10
34
Otto the Conqueror
Steve Asmussen
Otto the Conqueror
Steve Asmussen
10
35
Alotaluck
Ty Garrett
Alotaluck
Ty Garrett
10
36
Epic Ride
John Ennis
Epic Ride
John Ennis
10
37
Dancing Groom
Antonio Sano
Dancing Groom
Antonio Sano
10
38
Real Macho
Rohan Crichton
Real Macho
Rohan Crichton
10
39
Maximus Meridius
“Butch” Reid Jr.
Maximus Meridius
“Butch” Reid Jr.
10
40
Good Money
Chad Brown
Good Money
Chad Brown
10
41
Resilience
Bill Mott
Resilience
Bill Mott
10
42
Informed Patriot
Steve Asmussen
Informed Patriot
Steve Asmussen
8
43
Moonlight
Todd Pletcher
Moonlight
Todd Pletcher
7
44
Lightline
Brad Cox
Lightline
Brad Cox
6
45
Blue Eyed George
Michael McCarthy
Blue Eyed George
Michael McCarthy
6
46
Lat Long
Kenny McPeek
Lat Long
Kenny McPeek
6
47
The Wine Steward
Mike Maker
The Wine Steward
Mike Maker
5
48
Real Men Violin
Kenny McPeek
Real Men Violin
Kenny McPeek
5
49
Awesome Road
Brad Cox
Awesome Road
Brad Cox
5
50
Dimatic
Steve Asmussen
Dimatic
Steve Asmussen
5
51
Khanate
Todd Pletcher
Khanate
Todd Pletcher
5
52
Capital Idea
Christophe Clement
Capital Idea
Christophe Clement
5
53
Heartened
Todd Pletcher
Heartened
Todd Pletcher
5
54
Inveigled
Jane Cibelli
Inveigled
Jane Cibelli
4
55
Gettysburg Address
Brad Cox
Gettysburg Address
Brad Cox
4
56
Deposition
Uriah St. Lewis
Deposition
Uriah St. Lewis
4
57
Curlin’s Kaos
Antonio Garcia
Curlin’s Kaos
Antonio Garcia
4
58
Elysian Meadows
Bill Mott
Elysian Meadows
Bill Mott
4
59
Be You
Todd Pletcher
Be You
Todd Pletcher
3
60
Footprint
Kenny McPeek
Footprint
Kenny McPeek
2
61
Fulmineo
Arnaud Delacour
Fulmineo
Arnaud Delacour
2
62
Moonlit Sonata
Tim Yakteen
Moonlit Sonata
Tim Yakteen
2
63
Tizzy Indy
Keith Desormeaux
Tizzy Indy
Keith Desormeaux
2

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
Orb
Shug McGaughey
Orb Shug McGaughey 104
About the Kentucky Derby
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).