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Kentucky Derby 2021

Saturday, May 1, 2021 − Churchill Downs

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About the Kentucky Derby

About 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.

  • Race Previews
  • Race Recaps
Fri, Jan. 22, 2021
Smarty Jones
Oaklawn , 1 mile
Preview
Get PPs
Sat, Jan. 30, 2021
Holy Bull
Gulfstream Park , 1 1/16 miles
Sat, Jan. 30, 2021
Robert B. Lewis
Santa Anita , 1 1/16 miles
Sat, Jan. 16, 2021
Lecomte
Fair Grounds , 1 1/16 miles
Chart
Analysis Recap
Sat, Jan. 2, 2021
Sham
Santa Anita , 1 mile
Chart
Analysis Recap
Fri, Jan. 1, 2021
Jerome
Aqueduct , 1 mile
Chart
Analysis Recap
View all

Top Kentucky Derby News

  • Cowan, Caddo River bring big-league connections to Smarty Jones

    Mary Rampellini Jan 20, 2021
  • TimeformUS Road to the Derby: Hard to look past Caddo River at short price in Smarty Jones

    David Aragona Jan 20, 2021
  • Heavy hitters eyeing return in Southwest Stakes

    Mary Rampellini Jan 20, 2021
  • Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 2 has 14 new horses; betting begins Friday

    Marty McGee Jan 19, 2021
  • Road to the 2021 Kentucky Derby: Lecomte Stakes analysis

    Jay Privman Jan 18, 2021
View All
  • Road to the Derby
  • All Top Kentucky Derby News
  • Kentucky Derby Point Standings

Road to the Derby

Date
Race / Track / Distance
Winner / Beyer
Saturday, Sep. 5, 2020
Iroquois Churchill Downs, 1 1/16 miles
Winner: Sittin On Go
Beyer: 84
Points (1-2-3-4): 10-4-2-1
Sittin On Go 84
Race Recap Analysis View Chart
Sittin On Go 84
Race Recap Analysis
View Chart
Saturday, Sep. 26, 2020
American Pharoah Santa Anita, 1 1/16 miles
Winner: Get Her Number
Beyer: 84
Points (1-2-3-4): 10-4-2-1
Get Her Number 84
Race Recap Analysis View Chart
Get Her Number 84
Race Recap Analysis
View Chart
Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020
Breeders' Futurity Keeneland , 1 1/16 miles
Winner: Essential Quality
Beyer: 88
Points (1-2-3-4): 10-4-2-1
Essential Quality 88
Race Recap Analysis View Chart
Essential Quality 88
Race Recap Analysis
View Chart
Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020
Champagne Belmont , 1 mile
Winner: Jackie's Warrior
Beyer: 100
Points (1-2-3-4): 10-4-2-1
Jackie's Warrior 100
Race Recap Analysis View Chart
Jackie's Warrior 100
Race Recap Analysis
View Chart
Friday, Nov. 6, 2020
Breeders' Cup Juvenile Keeneland , 1 1/16 miles
Winner: Essential Quality
Beyer: 95
Points (1-2-3-4): 20-8-4-2
Essential Quality 95
Race Recap Analysis View Chart
Essential Quality 95
Race Recap Analysis
View Chart
Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020
Kentucky Jockey Club Churchill Downs, 1 1/16 miles
Winner: Keepmeinmind
Beyer: 79
Points (1-2-3-4): 10-4-2-1
Keepmeinmind 79
Race Recap Analysis View Chart
Keepmeinmind 79
Race Recap Analysis
View Chart
Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020
Remsen Aqueduct, 1 1/8 miles
Winner: Brooklyn Strong
Beyer: 93
Points (1-2-3-4): 10-4-2-1
Brooklyn Strong 93
Race Recap Analysis View Chart
Brooklyn Strong 93
Race Recap Analysis
View Chart
Friday, Dec. 18, 2020
Springboard Mile Remington Park, 1 mile
Winner: Senor Buscador *
Beyer: 93
Points (1-2-3-4): 10-4-2-1
Senor Buscador * 93
Race Recap Analysis View Chart
Senor Buscador * 93
Race Recap Analysis
View Chart
Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020
Los Alamitos Futurity Los Alamitos Race Course, 1 1/16 miles
Winner: Spielberg
Beyer: 81
Points (1-2-3-4): 10-4-2-1
Spielberg 81
Race Recap Analysis View Chart
Spielberg 81
Race Recap Analysis
View Chart
Friday, Jan. 1, 2021
Jerome Aqueduct, 1 mile
Winner: Capo Kane
Beyer: 84
Points (1-2-3-4): 10-4-2-1
Capo Kane 84
Race Recap Analysis View Chart
Capo Kane 84
Race Recap Analysis
View Chart
Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021
Sham Santa Anita, 1 mile
Winner: Life is Good
Beyer: 101
Points (1-2-3-4): 10-4-2-1
Life is Good 101
Race Recap Analysis View Chart
Life is Good 101
Race Recap Analysis
View Chart
Saturday, Jan. 16, 2021
Lecomte Fair Grounds, 1 1/16 miles
Winner: Midnight Bourbon
Beyer: 91
Points (1-2-3-4): 10-4-2-1
Midnight Bourbon 91
Race Recap Analysis View Chart
Midnight Bourbon 91
Race Recap Analysis
View Chart
Friday, Jan. 22, 2021
Smarty Jones Oaklawn, 1 1/16 miles
Points (1-2-3-4): 10-4-2-1
Previews Get PPs
Previews
Get PPs
Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021
Holy Bull Gulfstream, 1 1/16 miles
Points (1-2-3-4): 10-4-2-1
Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021
Robert B. Lewis Santa Anita, 1 1/16 miles
Points (1-2-3-4): 10-4-2-1
Saturday, Feb. 6, 2021
Withers Aqueduct, 1 1/16 miles
Points (1-2-3-4): 10-4-2-1
Saturday, Feb. 6, 2021
Sam F. Davis Tampa Bay Downs , 1 1/16 miles
Points (1-2-3-4): 10-4-2-1
Saturday, Feb. 6, 2021
John Battaglia Memorial Turfway , 1 1/16 miles
Points (1-2-3-4): 10-4-2-1
Saturday, Feb. 13, 2021
El Camino Real Derby Golden Gate, 1 1/8 miles
Points (1-2-3-4): 10-4-2-1
Saturday, Feb. 13, 2021
Risen Star Division Fair Grounds, 1 1/8 miles
Points (1-2-3-4): 50-20-10-5
Monday, Feb. 15, 2021
Southwest Oaklawn, 1 1/16 miles
Points (1-2-3-4): 10-4-2-1
Saturday, Feb. 27, 2021
Fountain of Youth Gulfstream, 1 1/16 miles
Points (1-2-3-4): 50-20-10-5
Saturday, Mar. 6, 2021
Gotham Aqueduct, 1 1/16 miles
Points (1-2-3-4): 50-20-10-5
Saturday, Mar. 6, 2021
Tampa Bay Derby Tampa Bay Downs , 1 1/16 miles
Points (1-2-3-4): 50-20-10-5
Saturday, Mar. 6, 2021
San Felipe Santa Anita, 1 1/16 miles
Points (1-2-3-4): 50-20-10-5
Saturday, Mar. 13, 2021
Rebel Oaklawn, 1 1/16 miles
Points (1-2-3-4): 50-20-10-5
Saturday, Mar. 20, 2021
Jeff Ruby Steaks Turfway , 1 1/8 miles
Points (1-2-3-4): 20-8-4-2
Saturday, Mar. 20, 2021
Louisiana Derby Fair Grounds, 1 3/16 miles
Points (1-2-3-4): 100-40-20-10
Saturday, Mar. 27, 2021
Florida Derby Gulfstream, 1 1/8 miles
Points (1-2-3-4): 100-40-20-10
Saturday, Mar. 27, 2021
Sunland Derby Sunland , 1 1/8 miles
Points (1-2-3-4): 50-20-10-5
Saturday, Apr. 3, 2021
Blue Grass Keeneland , 1 1/8 miles
Points (1-2-3-4): 100-40-20-10
Saturday, Apr. 3, 2021
Santa Anita Derby Santa Anita, 1 1/8 miles
Points (1-2-3-4): 100-40-20-10
Saturday, Apr. 3, 2021
Wood Memorial Aqueduct, 1 1/8 miles
Points (1-2-3-4): 100-40-20-10
Saturday, Apr. 10, 2021
Arkansas Derby Oaklawn, 1 1/8 miles
Points (1-2-3-4): 100-40-20-10
Saturday, Apr. 10, 2021
Lexington Keeneland , 1 1/16 miles
Points (1-2-3-4): 20-8-4-2

European Road to the Derby

Date
Race / Track / Distance
Winner
Saturday, Sep. 26, 2020
Royal Lodge Newmarket, 1 mile (T)
Winner: Lalania
Beyer:
Points (1-2-3-4): 10-4-2-1
Lalania
Lalania
Saturday, Sep. 26, 2020
Beresford Naas, 1 mile (T)
Winner: High Definition
Beyer:
Points (1-2-3-4): 10-4-2-1
High Definition
High Definition
Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020
Prix Jean Luc Legardare Longchamp, 1 mile (T)
Winner: Sealiway
Beyer:
Points (1-2-3-4): 10-4-2-1
Sealiway
Sealiway
Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020
Vertum Futurity Trophy Newcastle, 1 mile (S)
Winner: Aberama Gold
Beyer:
Points (1-2-3-4): 10-4-2-1
Aberama Gold
Aberama Gold
Monday, Mar. 1, 2021
Patton Dundalk, 1 mile (S)
Winner:
Beyer:
Points (1-2-3-4): 20-8-4-2
Thursday, Mar. 4, 2021
Road to the Derby Condition Kempton, 1 mile (S)
Winner:
Beyer:
Points (1-2-3-4): 20-8-4-2
Thursday, Apr. 1, 2021
Cardinal Condition Chelmsford, 1 mile (S)
Winner:
Beyer:
Points (1-2-3-4): 30-12-6-3

Japan Road to the Derby

Date
Race / Track / Distance
Winner
Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020
Cattleya 1 mile, Tokyo
Winner: Lemon Pop
Beyer:
Points (1-2-3-4): 10-4-2-1
Lemon Pop
Lemon Pop
Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2020
Zen-Nippon Nisai Yushun 1 mile, Kawasaki
Winner: Alain Barows
Beyer:
Points (1-2-3-4): 20-8-4-2
Alain Barows
Alain Barows
Saturday, Dec. 30, 1899
Hyacinth 1 mile, Tokyo
Winner:
Beyer:
Points (1-2-3-4): 30-12-6-3
Saturday, Dec. 30, 1899
Fukuryu Stakes 1 1/8 miles, Nakayama
Winner:
Beyer:
Points (1-2-3-4): 40-16-8-4

All Top Kentucky Derby News

Kentucky Derby Point Standings

Rank
Horse/Trainer Horse/ Trainer
Horse
Trainer
Points
Non-Restricted Stakes Earnings
1
Essential Quality
Brad Cox
Essential Quality
Brad Cox
30
$1,280,000
2
Keepmeinmind
Robertino Diodoro
Keepmeinmind
Robertino Diodoro
18
$379,040
3
Midnight Bourbon
Steve Asmussen
Midnight Bourbon
Steve Asmussen
16
$190,000
4
Jackie's Warrior
Steve Asmussen
Jackie's Warrior
Steve Asmussen
12
$457,500
5
Spielberg
Bob Baffert
Spielberg
Bob Baffert
12
$206,000
6
Get Her Number
Peter Miller
Get Her Number
Peter Miller
10
$186,000
7
Sittin On Go
Dale Romans
Sittin On Go
Dale Romans
10
$139,800
8
Brooklyn Strong
Daniel Velazquez
Brooklyn Strong
Daniel Velazquez
10
$82,500
9
Capo Kane
Harold Wyner
Capo Kane
Harold Wyner
10
$82,500
10
Life Is Good
Bob Baffert
Life Is Good
Bob Baffert
10
$60,000
11
Hot Rod Charlie
Doug O'Neill
Hot Rod Charlie
Doug O'Neill
8
$340,000
12
Cowan
Steve Asmussen
Cowan
Steve Asmussen
4
$290,477
13
Rombauer
Michael McCarthy
Rombauer
Michael McCarthy
4
$120,500
14
Reinvesment Risk
Chad Brown
Reinvesment Risk
Chad Brown
4
$120,000
15
Super Stock
Steve Asmussen
Super Stock
Steve Asmussen
4
$59,000
16
Ten for Ten
Shug McGaughey
Ten for Ten
Shug McGaughey
4
$50,000
17
The Great One
Doug O'Neill
The Great One
Doug O'Neill
4
$40,500
18
Proxy
Mike Stidham
Proxy
Mike Stidham
4
$40,00
19
Smiley Sobotka
Dale Romans
Smiley Sobotka
Dale Romans
4
$38,400
20
Eagle Orb
Rudy Rodriguez
Eagle Orb
Rudy Rodriguez
2
$30,000
21
Medina Spirit
Bob Baffert
Medina Spirit
Bob Baffert
4
$20,000
22
Arabian Prince
Dallas Stewart
Arabian Prince
Dallas Stewart
2
$24,063
23
Petruchio
Richard Mandella
Petruchio
Richard Mandella
2
$24,000
24
Waspirant
John Shirreffs
Waspirant
John Shirreffs
2
$24,000
25
Mandaloun
Brad Cox
Mandaloun
Brad Cox
2
$20,000
26
Hold the Salsa
Richard Lugovich
Hold the Salsa
Richard Lugovich
2
$19,125
27
Swill
Brad Cox
Swill
Brad Cox
2
$18,600
28
Known Agenda
Todd Pletcher
Known Agenda
Todd Pletcher
2
$18,000
29
Parnelli
John Shirreffs
Parnelli
John Shirreffs
2
$12,000
30
Pickin' Time
Kelly Breen
Pickin' Time
Kelly Breen
1
$157,925
31
Red Flag
John Shirreffs
Red Flag
John Shirreffs
1
$72,000
32
Therideofalifetime
Ignacio Correas
Therideofalifetime
Ignacio Correas
1
$39,500
33
Upstriker
Ron Moquett
Upstriker
Ron Moquett
1
$20,000
34
Civil War
Thomas Albertrani
Civil War
Thomas Albertrani
1
$15,000
35
Santa Cruiser
Keith Desormeaux
Santa Cruiser
Keith Desormeaux
1
$8,000

Note: *In light of the Kentucky Derby being postponed from May 2 to Sept. 5, Churchill Downs has announced that additional points-scoring races will be added.

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About the Kentucky Derby

About 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.

Rank
Horse/Trainer
Horse
Trainer
Points
1
Essential Quality
Brad Cox
Essential Quality
Brad Cox
30
2
Keepmeinmind
Robertino Diodoro
Keepmeinmind
Robertino Diodoro
18
3
Midnight Bourbon
Steve Asmussen
Midnight Bourbon
Steve Asmussen
16
4
Jackie's Warrior
Steve Asmussen
Jackie's Warrior
Steve Asmussen
12
5
Spielberg
Bob Baffert
Spielberg
Bob Baffert
12
6
Get Her Number
Peter Miller
Get Her Number
Peter Miller
10
7
Sittin On Go
Dale Romans
Sittin On Go
Dale Romans
10
8
Brooklyn Strong
Daniel Velazquez
Brooklyn Strong
Daniel Velazquez
10
9
Capo Kane
Harold Wyner
Capo Kane
Harold Wyner
10
10
Life Is Good
Bob Baffert
Life Is Good
Bob Baffert
10
11
Hot Rod Charlie
Doug O'Neill
Hot Rod Charlie
Doug O'Neill
8
12
Cowan
Steve Asmussen
Cowan
Steve Asmussen
4
13
Rombauer
Michael McCarthy
Rombauer
Michael McCarthy
4
14
Reinvesment Risk
Chad Brown
Reinvesment Risk
Chad Brown
4
15
Super Stock
Steve Asmussen
Super Stock
Steve Asmussen
4
16
Ten for Ten
Shug McGaughey
Ten for Ten
Shug McGaughey
4
17
The Great One
Doug O'Neill
The Great One
Doug O'Neill
4
18
Proxy
Mike Stidham
Proxy
Mike Stidham
4
19
Smiley Sobotka
Dale Romans
Smiley Sobotka
Dale Romans
4
20
Eagle Orb
Rudy Rodriguez
Eagle Orb
Rudy Rodriguez
2
21
Medina Spirit
Bob Baffert
Medina Spirit
Bob Baffert
4
22
Arabian Prince
Dallas Stewart
Arabian Prince
Dallas Stewart
2
23
Petruchio
Richard Mandella
Petruchio
Richard Mandella
2
24
Waspirant
John Shirreffs
Waspirant
John Shirreffs
2
25
Mandaloun
Brad Cox
Mandaloun
Brad Cox
2
See Details

Recent Kentucky Derby Winners

Year
Horse/Trainer
Horse
Trainer
Beyer
2020
Authentic
Bob Baffert
Authentic
Bob Baffert
105
2019
Country House
Bill Mott
Country House
Bill Mott
99
2018
Justify
Bob Baffert
Justify
Bob Baffert
103
2017
Always Dreaming
Todd Pletcher
Always Dreaming
Todd Pletcher
102
2016
Nyquist
Doug O'Neill
Nyquist
Doug O'Neill
103
2015
American Pharoah
Bob Baffert
American Pharoah
Bob Baffert
105
2014
California Chrome
Art Sherman
California Chrome
Art Sherman
97
2013
Orb
Shug McGaughey
Orb
Shug McGaughey
104
2012
I'll Have Another
Doug O'Neill
I'll Have Another
Doug O'Neill
101
2011
Animal Kingdom
Graham Motion
Animal Kingdom
Graham Motion
103
2010
Super Saver
Todd Pletcher
Super Saver
Todd Pletcher
104

Kentucky Derby - FAQs

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).

 

Q: Have any fillies won the Kentucky Derby?

Yes, three fillies have won the Kentucky Derby:  Regret (1915), Genuine Risk (1980) and Winning Colors (1988)

 

Q: Who has won the most?

Trainer: 6, Ben Jones (1938, 1941, 1944, 1948, 1949, 1952).  6, Bob Baffert (2020, 2018, 2015, 2002, 1998, 1997)

Jockey:  5 each, Eddie Arcaro (1938, 1941, 1945, 1948, 1952) and Bill Hartack (1957, 1960, 1962, 1964, 1969)

Owner: 8, Calumet Farm (1941, 1944, 1948, 1949, 1952, 1957, 1958, 1968).

 



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