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Yes, She Did: Cherie DeVaux Becomes the First, But Not the Last

Tue May 05 2026Jennifer Kelly

Cherie DeVaux, her life devoted to horses from her earliest days, became the first woman to train a Kentucky Derby winner. Her victory is a reminder of something simple: that all any of us needs is a chance, and we can do great things.

Kentucky Derby

Ocelli training at Churchill Downs (Photo by Renee Torbit/Coady Media)

Maidens in the Kentucky Derby: Ocelli and Friends

Sat May 02 2026Jennifer Kelly

Once upon a time, maidens had the potential to make some noise in the Kentucky Derby, but since the mid-20th century, that lack of experience has become a challenge.

Kentucky Derby

Renegade wins the Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park. (Photo by Coady Media)

Beating the Odds - Can Renegade Win from the Rail in Derby 152?

Fri May 01 2026Jennifer Kelly

As the 152nd edition of the Run for the Roses approaches, favorite Renegade has the dubious honor of breaking from post 1. What does history say about his chances to win?

Triple Crown

Lillies garland of flowers kentucky oaks

Lilies (Photo by Coady Photography/Churchill Downs)

The Run for the Lilies: the 152nd Kentucky Oaks

Fri May 01 2026Jennifer Kelly

With the 152nd Kentucky Oaks just hours away, all eyes are on Churchill Downs to see which three-year-old filly will bring home the coveted garland of lilies.

Analysis

The Twin Spires at Churchill Downs (Photo by Coady Photography/Churchill Downs)

Casually Crafting an Oaks-Derby Double

Thu Apr 30 2026Jennifer Kelly

The Kentucky Oaks/Kentucky Derby double offers bettors a unique two-day challenge, asking them to pick the winners of both the Kentucky Oaks (G1) on Friday and the Kentucky Derby (G1) on Saturday.

Triple Crown

Churchill Downs scenic photo (Coady Media)

Need for Speed: What the Fastest Breeds Teach Us About Racehorse Evolution

Wed Apr 29 2026Jennifer Kelly

As racing matured from a casual match race between friends into a business spanning countries and continents, the science of speed and stamina followed, answering questions about how these innate equine talents work in these breeds that we all love to watch.

History

Carry Back and owner Jack Price at Belmont (Keeneland Library/NYRA)

Tall Tales of the Track – Two Necks and a Couple of Brothers

Thu Apr 16 2026Jennifer Kelly

The 1961 Kentucky Oaks and Derby featured a pair of brothers, two close finishes, and a couple of interesting coincidences.

Kentucky Derby

Tall Tales of the Track – Under Fire

Tue Mar 17 2026Jennifer Kelly

When Count Turf crossed the finish line first to win the 1951 Kentucky Derby, he was the third generation of Derby winners, his sire Count Fleet and grandsire Reigh Count both also victorious under the Twin Spires. In 1928, Reigh Count brought John and Fannie Hertz the first of their classic victories, but a conflict involving John’s taxi company almost ended the horse’s life. When it counted, when history was on the line, one man’s quick-thinking response made all the difference.

Kentucky Derby

Diane Crump aboard Fathom in the 1970 Kentucky Derby (Photo courtesy of the Kentucky Derby Museum)

Yes, She Can: Female Jockey Representation in America's Elite Races

Tue Mar 10 2026Jennifer Kelly

While Julie Krone remains the only woman to win a Triple Crown classic—her historic 1993 Belmont Stakes win aboard Colonial Affair—pioneers like Patti Cooksey and Rosie Napravnik have continued to prove that strength and strategy know no gender.

Triple Crown

1938 Kentucky Derby winner Lawrin (Photo courtesy of Kentucky Derby Museum)

Faded Glory: Forgotten Kentucky Derby Winners (Lawrin, 1938)

Mon Mar 09 2026Jennifer Kelly

While the majority of the 150 winners of the Kentucky Derby were born in the Bluegrass State, 14 other states boast Derby victors of their own, with seven producing one each. New York has Funny Cide, Maryland gave us Kauai King, and in 1938, Kansas got its lone victory with a colt named Lawrin.

Kentucky Derby

Affirmed and Steve Cauthen after winning the 1978 Kentucky Derby (Courtesy of the Kentucky Derby/Churchill Downs)

The Heart that Wears the Crown: Affirmed

Mon Mar 09 2026Jennifer Kelly

But who was the lanky chestnut colt that came out on top, the one that followed Seattle Slew into history a scant 12 months after his own classic campaign? The combination of an easygoing disposition, a clever mind, and an iron will gave Affirmed everything he would need to turn away his challengers and become an immortal.

Triple Crown

1970 Kentucky Derby winner Dust Commander

Dust Commander wins the 1970 Kentucky Derby. (Photo Courtesy of the Kentucky Derby)

Faded Glory: Forgotten Kentucky Derby Winners (Dust Commander, 1970)

Fri Mar 06 2026Jennifer Kelly

In 1970, Dust Commander made dreams come true for a journeyman jockey, a young trainer, and a family new to racing, a victory that rewarded the faith of the few who believed in this long shot from the Land of Lincoln.

Kentucky Derby

Secretariat and Sham in the Kentucky Derby (Photo courtesy of the Kentucky Derby Museum/Churchill Downs)

The Heart that Wears the Crown: Secretariat

Mon Mar 02 2026Jennifer Kelly

Fifty years and 31 lengths ago, Secretariat sailed into the history books as the ninth horse to win the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes, our American Triple Crown.

Triple Crown

1912 Kentucky Derby Winner Worth

Faded Glory: Forgotten Kentucky Derby Winners (Worth, 1912)

Mon Mar 02 2026Jennifer Kelly

In Louisville, the big show went on as racing fans once again celebrated another Kentucky Derby, its victor a champion colt whose brief time on the racetrack left the sport wondering “what if?”

Kentucky Derby

Sunny's Halo wins the Kentucky Derby in 1983 (Photo courtesy of the Kentucky Derby/Churchill Downs)

Faded Glory: Forgotten Kentucky Derby Winners (Sunny’s Halo, 1983)

Fri Feb 27 2026Jennifer Kelly

Sunny’s Halo bested injury and a full field on Derby Day to bring another victory in the Run for the Roses back to the Great White North.

Kentucky Derby

Sir Barton after winning the Kentucky Derby (Photo courtesy of the Kentucky Derby/Churchill Downs)

The Heart That Wears the Crown: Sir Barton

Mon Feb 23 2026Jennifer Kelly

Thoroughbreds are fast and powerful athletes and the most elite are the ones whose names become a part of our collective consciousness, but, like familiar faces like Tom Brady and Michael Jordan, they were living, breathing beings who interacted with the world around them and left a distinct impression on those who cared for them.

Triple Crown

1947 Kentucky Derby winner Jet Pilot (Photo courtesy of Kentucky Derby Museum)

Faded Glory: Forgotten Kentucky Derby Winners (Jet Pilot, 1947)

Mon Feb 23 2026Jennifer Kelly

In a year sandwiched between Triple Crown winners, Jet Pilot capitalized on his good fortune and brought home a rosy victory for his famous owner and Hall of Fame trainer.

Kentucky Derby

1890 Kentucky Derby Winner Riley

Tall Tales of the Track – A Case of Mistaken Identity?

Wed Feb 18 2026Jennifer Kelly

With apologies to Mark Twain, the reports of the horse’s premature death, however, were greatly exaggerated. Instead, the colt’s journey to that fateful day involved a top sire, a famed owner, and a legendary jockey, all of whom played a role in the story of a horse named Riley.

Kentucky Derby

1927 Kentucky Derby winner Whiskery (Photo courtesy of Kentucky Derby Museum)

Faded Glory: Forgotten Kentucky Derby Winners (Whiskery, 1927)

Mon Feb 16 2026Jennifer Kelly

The history of the Kentucky Derby is rich with names that have left their mark on this classic race: Bradley, Woodward, Chenery, and Whitney, owners who all celebrated more than one victory of their own. The Whitney family’s connection to the Run for the Roses spans more than a century with four wins from their long list of starters.

Kentucky Derby

Gallant Fox wins the 1930 Kentucky Derby (Courtesy of the Kentucky Derby/Churchill Downs)

The Heart that Wears the Crown: Gallant Fox

Mon Feb 16 2026Jennifer Kelly

Gallant Fox’s victories in the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes were the first to come with the name “Triple Crown,” as those intervening years saw the three races enter the sport’s consciousness with that sobriquet attached.

Triple Crown

Omaha wins the 1935 Kentucky Derby (Courtesy of the Kentucky Derby/Churchill Downs)

The Heart that Wears the Crown: Omaha

Mon Feb 02 2026Jennifer Kelly

When any Triple Crown winner goes to stud, the high expectations set by winning that coveted trophy come along, as fans eagerly anticipate the next generation. Can he copy himself and produce another just like him? Of the 13 to have worn the crown, only one has done what is nearly impossible, a feat unlikely to be duplicated anytime soon: siring another Triple Crown winner.

Kentucky Derby

1894 Kentucky Derby Winner Chant

Tall Tales of the Track: Honoring the Memory of a Rider Long Gone

Thu Jan 29 2026Jennifer Kelly

By the late 19th century, the Kentucky Derby had become a fixture on the American stakes calendar, but its home track struggled with its finances and with attracting good horses for its list of feature races. When Chant arrived in Louisville for the 1894 Derby, he would face a short field, but a victory would give his young jockey a place in the sport’s history books and preserve his memory for years to come.

Kentucky Derby

War Admiral wins the 1937 Kentucky Derby (Courtesy of the Kentucky Derby/Churchill Downs)

The Heart That Wears the Crown: War Admiral

Mon Jan 26 2026Jennifer Kelly

Lofty expectations are laid upon the greats when they exit stage left to enter the next phase. When Man o’ War said goodbye to his life on the track, the focus then became on whether the 20th century’s greatest racehorse could produce another one like him. Whatever it was that made Big Red so dominant and so iconic had to be passed along to his progeny, but what would that look like?

Triple Crown

Dark Star wins the 1953 Kentucky Derby (Photo courtesy of the Kentucky Derby Museum/Churchill Downs)

Faded Glory: Forgotten Winners of the Kentucky Derby (Dark Star, 1953)

Mon Jan 26 2026Jennifer Kelly

In 1953, the sport had fallen in love with a gray colt who seemed destined to sweep every race he tried, but in that year’s Kentucky Derby, Native Dancer’s unexpected defeat came thanks to a colt named Dark Star.

Kentucky Derby

Whirlaway wins the 1941 Kentucky Derby (Photo courtesy of the Kentucky Derby/Churchill Downs)

The Heart That Wears the Crown: Whirlaway

Mon Jan 19 2026Jennifer Kelly

Whirlaway, the fifth Triple Crown winner, ignited the imaginations of those along for the ride on the cusp of war in 1941.

Triple Crown

1940 Kentucky Derby winner Gallahadion (Photo courtesy of Kentucky Derby Museum)

Faded Glory: Forgotten Kentucky Derby Winners (Gallahadion, 1940)

Mon Jan 19 2026Jennifer Kelly

Bimelech entered the year as Colonel E.R. Bradley’s best hope for a fifth Derby win, his undefeated record making a win on the first Saturday in May a veritable certainty. In the wings waited a surprise for the overwhelming favorite, Gallahadion, an unheralded contender who would deliver a sweet victory for a familiar name.

Kentucky Derby

Venetian Way, 1960 Kentucky Derby winner (Photo courtesy of the Kentucky Derby Museum)

Faded Glory: Forgotten Winners of the Kentucky Derby (Venetian Way, 1960)

Sat Jan 17 2026Jennifer Kelly

In 1960, with a Hall of Famer in the saddle, Venetian Way scored his signature victory for his soft-spoken owner and big-dreaming trainer, with his ultimate legacy coming in the form of another historic moment for America’s most famous race.

Kentucky Derby

Count Fleet wins the 1943 Kentucky Derby (Courtesy of the Kentucky Derby/Churchill Downs)

The Heart That Wears the Crown: Count Fleet

Mon Jan 12 2026Jennifer Kelly

Count Fleet swept into his classic season like no other. Virtually unbeatable at three, his trip through the three races was marked not by grinding stretch runs for the win but by the ease behind his victories, the clear joy he had in the running. The heart that wore the sixth Triple Crown was one that was both headstrong and ecstatic in one small brown package.

Triple Crown

1917 Kentucky Derby Winner Omar Khayyam

Faded Glory: Forgotten Kentucky Derby Winners (Omar Khayyam, 1917)

Mon Jan 12 2026Jennifer Kelly

The list of Kentucky Derby victors currently stands at 149 names long, a roster of horses famed and forgotten, each with a story of their own. In its fifth decade, the historic equine contest emerged from its lean years with new vigor, ignited by a filly, a longshot, and in 1917, another first for America’s signature race: an international victor.

Features

Assault wins the 1946 Kentucky Derby (Courtesy of the Kentucky Derby/Churchill Downs)

The Heart That Wears the Crown: Assault

Mon Jan 05 2026Jennifer Kelly

With a heart as big as Texas, Assault did not let his small size or disfigured hoof keep him from wearing a crown and sealing his place in racing history.

Triple Crown