Kentucky Derby 2021: Where the long road began

The road to this Kentucky Derby officially began on the undercard of the postponed 2020 Derby, last Sept. 5 at Churchill Downs. The Grade 3 Iroquois Stakes awarded 10 qualifying points to its winner, Sittin On Go. He’ll be racing this Saturday at Churchill, but in the Grade 3 Pat Day Mile, as he hasn’t won since the Iroquois.

Meanwhile, the colts who finished second and third behind him, Midnight Bourbon and Super Stock, both won graded races this year to earn their way into the Derby.

Kentucky Derby morning-line favorite Essential Quality and stablemate Travel Column, among the top choices in Friday’s Kentucky Oaks, both debuted on this weekend of racing in September for Brad Cox. Travel Column won the fifth race on 2020 Oaks Day, besting a field of 12. A day later, Essential Quality began his unbeaten career by taking the fourth race on Derby Day by four lengths in a field of 11.