Derby Watch
Horse/ Best Beyer | Trainer | Odds by David Aragona | ||||||
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Sierra Leone 91 | Chad Brown | 6-1 | ||||||
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BF: 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 | 8-1 | |||||||
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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 | ||||||
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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 | Brad Cox | 10-1 | ||||||
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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 | ||||||
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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 | Christophe Clement | 15-1 | ||||||
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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 | Danny Gargan | 15-1 | ||||||
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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 | Whit Beckman | 15-1 | ||||||
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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 | ||||||
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BF: Took advantage of favorable OP conditions to earn highest figure this year by a Derby eligible. | ||||||||
DA: Looked awesome striding out to the wire, but benefited from likely rail bias in Southwest. | ||||||||
Conquest Warrior 84 | Shug McGaughey | 20-1 | ||||||
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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 | Brad Cox | 20-1 | ||||||
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BF: Two-start colt still green, but should relish longer distance in his make-or-break final prep race. | ||||||||
DA: Lost nothing in Gotham defeat, staying on gamely late; agree that more ground should suit him. | ||||||||
Track Phantom 94 | Steve Asmussen | 20-1 | ||||||
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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 | ||||||
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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 | ||||||
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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 | ||||||
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BF: Decent wet-track comeback earned career-high fig first start following three-month winter break. | ||||||||
DA: Got good trip, but closed well and galloped out strongly in Southwest; looms Ark. Derby sleeper. | ||||||||
Stronghold 89 | Phil D'Amato | 30-1 | ||||||
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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 | ||||||
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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 | ||||||
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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 | ||||||
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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 | ||||||
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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 | |||||
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Saturday, Sep 16, 2023 |
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West Saratoga 79 | Race Recap View Chart |
West Saratoga
79
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Saturday, Oct 7, 2023 |
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Timberlake 93 | Race Recap View Chart |
Timberlake
93
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Saturday, Oct 7, 2023 |
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Muth 91 | Race Recap View Chart |
Muth
91
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Saturday, Oct 7, 2023 |
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Locked 92 | Race Recap View Chart |
Locked
92
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Sunday, Oct 29, 2023 |
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Liberal Arts 83 | Race Recap View Chart |
Liberal Arts
83
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Saturday, Nov 4, 2023 |
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Fierceness 105 | Race Recap View Chart |
Fierceness
105
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Saturday, Nov 25, 2023 |
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Honor Marie 92 | Race Recap View Chart |
Honor Marie
92
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Saturday, Dec 2, 2023 |
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Dornoch 91 | Race Recap View Chart |
Dornoch
91
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Friday, Dec 15, 2023 |
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Otto the Conqueror 71 | Race Recap View Chart |
Otto the Conqueror
71
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Saturday, Dec 16, 2023 |
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Wynstock 86 | Race Recap View Chart |
Wynstock
86
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Saturday, Dec 23, 2023 |
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Track Phantom 89 | Race Recap View Chart |
Track Phantom
89
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Monday, Jan 1, 2024 |
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Catching Freedom 87 | Race Recap View Chart |
Catching Freedom
87
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Saturday, Jan 6, 2024 |
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Drum Roll Please 80 | Race Recap View Chart |
Drum Roll Please
80
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Saturday, Jan 20, 2024 |
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Track Phantom 90 | Race Recap View Chart |
Track Phantom
90
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Saturday, Feb 3, 2024 |
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Mystik Dan 101 | Race Recap View Chart |
Mystik Dan
101
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Saturday, Feb 3, 2024 |
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Hades 90 | Race Recap View Chart |
Hades
90
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Saturday, Feb 3, 2024 |
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Nysos 105 | Race Recap View Chart |
Nysos
105
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Saturday, Feb 3, 2024 |
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Uncle Heavy 84 | Race Recap View Chart |
Uncle Heavy
84
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Saturday, Feb 10, 2024 |
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No More Time 80 | Race Recap View Chart |
No More Time
80
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Saturday, Feb 17, 2024 |
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Sierra Leone 91 | Race Recap View Chart |
Sierra Leone
91
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Sunday, Feb 18, 2024 |
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Stronghold 89 | Race Recap View Chart |
Stronghold
89
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Saturday, Feb 24, 2024 |
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Timberlake 93 | Race Recap View Chart |
Timberlake
93
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Saturday, Mar 2, 2024 |
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Encino 89 | Race Recap View Chart |
Encino
89
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Saturday, Mar 2, 2024 |
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Deterministic 93 | Race Recap View Chart |
Deterministic
93
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Saturday, Mar 2, 2024 |
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Dornoch 88 | Race Recap View Chart |
Dornoch
88
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Sunday, Mar 3, 2024 |
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Imagination 96 | Race Recap View Chart |
Imagination
96
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Saturday, Mar 9, 2024 |
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Domestic Product 82 | Race Recap View Chart |
Domestic Product
82
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Saturday, Mar 23, 2024 |
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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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Preview |
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Saturday, Mar 30, 2024 |
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Preview Get PPs | |||||
Saturday, Mar 30, 2024 |
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Preview Get PPs | |||||
Saturday, Apr 6, 2024 |
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Saturday, Apr 6, 2024 |
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Saturday, Apr 6, 2024 |
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Saturday, Apr 13, 2024 |
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European Road to the Derby
Date | Race / Track / Distance | Winner | |||||||
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Saturday, Sep 23, 2023 |
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Deepone |
Deepone
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Saturday, Sep 30, 2023 |
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Ghostwriter |
Ghostwriter
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Sunday, Oct 1, 2023 |
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Rosallion |
Rosallion
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Saturday, Oct 28, 2023 |
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Ancient Wisdom |
Ancient Wisdom
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Wednesday, Feb 21, 2024 |
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Notable Speech |
Notable Speech
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Friday, Mar 1, 2024 |
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Saturday, Mar 30, 2024 |
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Japan Road to the Derby
Date | Race / Track / Distance | Winner | |||||||
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Saturday, Nov 25, 2023 |
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Amante Bianco |
Amante Bianco
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Wednesday, Dec 13, 2023 |
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Sunday, Feb 18, 2024 |
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Saturday, Mar 23, 2024 |
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All Top Kentucky Derby News
Florida Derby: How Fierceness will perform is anyone's guess
Arkansas Derby: Timberlake has recency edge over Muth, Mystik Dan
Forever Young tops U.A.E Derby, looking to clinch Kentucky Derby spot
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
Mage runs down Two Phil's in stretch for Kentucky Derby victory
Kentucky Derby Point Standings
The Kentucky Derby is the first leg of the American Triple Crown series for 3-year-old Thoroughbreds. Held each year at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., on the first Saturday in May, the track has presented the race continuously since 1875. The Derby is run at the distance of 1 1/4 miles and is arguably the most famous horse race in the world.
Horses compete in the Kentucky Derby after qualifying through a series of preparatory races known as the Road to the Kentucky Derby. These stakes races are held at racetracks across the country and award Derby qualifying points to the top four finishers. The Derby starters are comprised of the horses with the most qualifying points, with two of the 20 spots reserved for the top qualifiers from the European and Japanese Road to the Derby qualifying events.
The Kentucky Derby has many traditions, including drinking mint juleps, wearing festive hats, and singing "My Old Kentucky Home" as the horses enter the track. Its sister race, the Kentucky Oaks, exclusively for 3-year-old fillies, takes place the day before the Kentucky Derby, on the first Friday in May. Both Oaks Day and Derby Day are treated as local holidays in Louisville.
The horse who wins the Kentucky Derby receives a blanket of red roses, the official flower of the Kentucky Derby. The race is commonly referred to as the “Run for the Roses.”
The winning horse becomes the only horse eligible to complete that year's Triple Crown, by running in and winning the two other legs of the series. The middle "jewel" is the Preakness Stakes two weeks later at Pimilco Race Course in Baltimore, and the final leg is the Belmont Stakes three weeks after the Preakness at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y.
Recent Kentucky Derby Winners
Year | Horse/Trainer | Horse | Trainer | Beyer |
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2023 |
Gustavo Delgado
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Mage | Gustavo Delgado | 105 |
2022 |
Eric Reed
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Rich Strike | Eric Reed | 101 |
2021 |
Brad Cox
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Mandaloun | Brad Cox | 101 |
2020 |
Bob Baffert
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Authentic | Bob Baffert | 105 |
2019 |
Bill Mott
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Country House | Bill Mott | 99 |
2018 |
Bob Baffert
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Justify | Bob Baffert | 103 |
2017 |
Todd Pletcher
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Always Dreaming | Todd Pletcher | 102 |
2016 |
Doug O'Neill
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Nyquist | Doug O'Neill | 103 |
2015 |
Bob Baffert
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American Pharoah | Bob Baffert | 105 |
2014 |
Art Sherman
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California Chrome | Art Sherman | 97 |
2013 |
Shug McGaughey
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Orb | Shug McGaughey | 104 |
Q: Who is eligible to run?
The Kentucky Derby is open only to 3-year-olds that are nominated to the Triple Crown series, and have earned enough qualifying points.
Q: How do horses earn qualifying points?
Horses earn qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby through a series of prep races run September – April at multiple tracks across the country. Points available for the races range from 1-100, depending on the quality of the race and where the horse finishes. View the full list of “Road to the Kentucky Derby” qualifying races at left.
Q: How many horses can start in the race?
Currently a maximum of 20 horses can run in the Kentucky Derby. The largest field was 23 horses (1974) for the 100th running of the Kentucky Derby. The smallest field was just 3 horses (1892 and 1905).