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Kentucky Derby Report: Stylish return performance for the champ
Champion juvenile male Forte came back impressively in the Fountain of Youth (G2) at Gulfstream Park, one of four Road to the Kentucky Derby series qualifiers offered on March 4, and the Todd Pletcher-trained colt will make his final prep in the $1 million Florida Derby (G1) on April 1.
Kentucky Derby
Forte listed at 4-1 for KDFW Pool 5; Wonder Wheel 8-1 favorite in lone Oaks Future
Following an impressive comeback win in Saturday’s Fountain of Youth (G2) at Gulfstream Park, Forte has been installed as the 4-1 morning line favorite in Pool 5 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager, which is set for its three-day span Friday-Sunday.
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Raise Cain
Violence picked up another possible Kentucky Derby (G1) contender when his son Raise Cain unleashed a giant rally from behind a fast pace to dominate Aqueduct’s Gotham (G3).
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Congruent
Don’t assume John Battaglia Memorial S. winner Congruent is a synthetic specialist; to the contrary, he’s a versatile young runner capable of performing well over any surface.
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Bo Cruz, Squire Creek romp at Fair Grounds
With only two months remaining until the Kentucky Derby, you might assume the weekly roster of impressive three-year-old maiden winners has been reduced to a trickle. But that’s simply not the case.
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Practical Move
Practical Move joined the Road to the Kentucky Derby with an upset victory in the Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) at Los Alamitos, but does he have the pedigree to thrive in the Kentucky Derby (G1)?
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Forte
One of the most accomplished horses on the Road to the Kentucky Derby is Forte.
Kentucky Derby
The Heart that Wears the Crown: Gallant Fox
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
Meet the Contenders: 2023 John Battaglia Memorial Stakes
Meet the horses running in the 2023 John Battaglia Memorial S. over 1 1/16 miles on Tapeta at Turfway Park. For each horse, we're listing a pro, a con, and a rating of potential.
Racing
Meet the Contenders: 2023 Gotham Stakes
Meet the horses running in the 2023 Gotham S. (G3) over one mile at Aqueduct. For each horse, we're listing a pro, a con, and a rating of potential.
Racing
Meet the Contenders: 2023 Fountain of Youth Stakes
Meet the horses running in the 2023 Fountain of Youth S. (G2), plus a pro, con and rating of their potential.
Wagering
Meet the Contenders: 2023 San Felipe Stakes
Meet the horses running in the 2023 San Felipe S. (G2), plus a pro, con and rating of their potential.
Wagering
Kentucky Derby Report: Rebel upset precedes flurry of early March preps
March opens with a bang for Kentucky Derby contenders, as four qualifiers in the Road to the Kentucky Derby series will be held on March 4
Kentucky Derby
Tipsheet: 2023 John Battaglia Memorial Stakes
An overflow field of 14 sophomores will travel 1 1/16 miles on the Turfway Park All-Weather surface in Saturday’s $125,000 John Battaglia Memorial S.
Wagering
Tipsheet: 2023 San Felipe Stakes
A fantastic field of 11 three-year-olds will travel 1 1/16 miles on the Santa Anita dirt in Saturday’s $400,000 San Felipe S. (G2).
Wagering
Tipsheet: 2023 Gotham Stakes
An overflow field of 15 three-year-olds will run one-mile on the Aqueduct main strip on Saturday in the $300,000 Gotham S. (G3).
Wagering
Tipsheet: 2023 Fountain of Youth Stakes
A strong field of 10 three-year-olds will travel 1 1/16 miles on the Gulfstream Park dirt in Saturday’s $400,000 Fountain of Youth S. (G2).
Wagering
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Triple Crown nominee Summer Cause breaks through
The Kentucky Derby (G1) is barely more than two months away, but Triple Crown nominees are still busy breaking their maidens and emerging as possible Run for the Roses contenders.
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Confidence Game
A well-timed rally from midfield carried Confidence Game to victory in the Rebel (G2) at Oaklawn Park, stamping the improving colt as a viable contender for the 2023 Kentucky Derby (G1).
Kentucky Derby
Catching My Eye: Louisiana Derby Preview Day Round-up
As the Roads to the Kentucky Derby (G1) and Kentucky Oaks (G1) carry on and older divisions begin to take shape, here’s a round-up of Kevin Kilroy's takeaways.
Analysis
Meet The Contenders: 2023 Rebel Stakes
Meet the horses running in the 2023 Rebel Stakes, plus a pro, con and rating of their potential.
Analysis
Kentucky Derby Report: Late runners step up in Risen Star
Angel of Empire and Sun Thunder jumped into the Kentucky Derby picture with a 1-2 finish in Saturday’s Risen Star (G2) at Fair Grounds, rallying from far back in the Road to the Kentucky Derby series qualifier.
Kentucky Derby
Tipsheet: 2023 Rebel Stakes
A total of 11 three-year-olds will travel 1 1/16 miles on the Oaklawn Park dirt in Saturday’s lucrative $1 million Rebel S. (G3).
Wagering
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Angel of Empire
Stretch-running victories in the Risen Star (G2) and Arkansas Derby (G1) have propelled Angel of Empire into the 2023 Kentucky Derby (G1) picture. But does he have the pedigree to succeed in the Run for the Roses?
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Bishops Bay, Heroic Move impress for Cox
Winning the Kentucky Derby (much less the Triple Crown) off a February debut isn’t easy, but Bishops Bay may have the talent to take a shot.
Kentucky Derby
Handicappers Debate: 2023 Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds
New Orleans is the destination for this week’s debate, as handicappers Alastair Bull and James Scully offer different opinions in Saturday’s $400,000 Risen Star (G2) at Fair Grounds.
Features
Shirl's Speight takes on leading Japanese dirt horses in Tokyo
It’s a significant day of racing at Tokyo racecourse in Japan, with two features that have relevance to North America.
International
Catching My Eye: Morning Breezes Ahead of Louisiana Derby Preview Day
As the three-year-old campaigns build momentum and with Louisiana Derby Preview Day on Saturday, the morning workouts at Fair Grounds have been heating up.
Kentucky Derby
Meet the Contenders: 2023 Risen Star Stakes
Meet the horses running in the 2023 Risen Star Stakes, plus a pro, con and rating of their potential.
Wagering
Derby Report – Stakes debuters continue to strike in Davis, Withers; Risen Star gets big field
Hit Show and Litigate became the latest first-time stakes performers to win a qualifier, jumping on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard with respective wins in the Withers (G3) and Sam F. Davis (G3) on Feb. 11.
Racing
Tipsheet: 2023 Risen Star Stakes
A huge field of 14 sophomores will run 1 1/8 miles on the Fair Grounds dirt surface in the $400,000 Risen Star S. (G2) on Saturday.
Wagering
Racing Roundtable: Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks trails
James Scully, Kellie Reilly, and Vance Hanson take a look at the latest developments along the Kentucky Derby (G1) and Kentucky Oaks (G1) trails in this week's Racing Roundtable.
Kentucky Derby
The Heart That Wears the Crown: Sir Barton
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
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Skinner, Arthur's Ride impress
You might assume February is too late for a future Kentucky Derby (G1) winner to be scoring their maiden victory. That’s true most of the time, but not always.
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Litigate
When Litigate rallied to a determined victory in the Sam F. Davis (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs, it was confirmation the bay colt has been waiting for a chance to shine running long.
Kentucky Derby
Chase the Chaos winning the El Camino Real Derby at Golden Gate Fields (Photo by Vassar Photography)
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Chase the Chaos
What do we make of Chase the Chaos, who unleashed a giant homestretch rally to win the El Camino Real Derby over the synthetic Tapeta track at Golden Gate Fields? Can he successfully switch to dirt?
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Hit Show
When Hit Show stormed down the Aqueduct homestretch to dominate the 1 1/8-mile Withers (G3), he fulfilled the promise of a pedigree geared top and bottom toward success running long.
Kentucky Derby
Forte holds as 8-1 individual choice in KDFW Pool 4; 'All others' 2-1
Pool 4 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager (KDFW) closed Sunday with stability at the very top, coupled with big market moves for a filly as well as recent winners.
Kentucky Derby
Handicappers Debate: 2023 Sam F. Davis at Tampa Bay Downs
The Road to the Kentucky Derby series is featured in this week’s debate, as handicappers James Scully and Vance Hanson offer different opinions in Saturday’s $250,000 Sam F. Davis (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs.
Kentucky Derby
Dubai Preview: Shirl's Bee hard to beat in UAE 2,000 Guineas
Some potential contenders for the main Kentucky Derby overseas qualifying race contest the UAE 2,000 Guineas (G3) at Meydan on Friday.
International
Tipsheet: 2023 Sam F. Davis Stakes
A full field of 12 sophomores will travel 1 1/16 miles over the Tampa Bay Downs dirt surface in the $250,000 Sam F. Davis S. (G3) on Saturday.
Wagering
Tipsheet: 2023 El Camino Real Derby
An octet of sophomores will travel 1 1/8 miles on the Golden Gate Fields All-Weather surface in Saturday’s $100,000 El Camino Real Derby.
Wagering
Tipsheet: 2023 Withers Stakes
A total of seven sophomores will go postward in Saturday’s $250,000 Withers S. (G3) at Aqueduct.
Wagering
Kentucky Derby Report: Mott strikes in Holy Bull, sends contenders to Sam Davis, Withers
Rocket Can opened his three-year-old season with a rallying win in the Feb. 4 Holy Bull (G3) at Gulfstream Park.
Racing
Forte listed at 8-1, ‘All Others' 2-1 for Pool 4 of Kentucky Derby Future Wager
Pool 4 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager (KDFW) will open its three-day run Friday at noon (ET) and close Sunday at 6 p.m. The revamped KDFW features 40 betting interests for the 2023 Kentucky Derby (G1) on May 6.
Kentucky Derby
Racing Roundtable: Holy Bull and Robert B. Lewis
James Scully, Kellie Reilly, and Vance Hanson look back at last weekend's classic preps and other three-year-old doings in this week's Racing Roundtable.
Features
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Bus Buzz, Demolition Duke impress
Santa Anita… Fair Grounds… Gulfstream Park… Oaklawn Park… Tampa Bay Downs. Possible Kentucky Derby (G1) contenders won maiden special weights at racetracks all around the country last week.
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Rocket Can
It isn’t surprising to see Rocket Can enjoying success on the Kentucky Derby (G1) trail. The gray colt boasts a pedigree combining speed with stamina, often a recipe for success in the Derby.
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby Report: Southwest flash, Cyclone set for Holy Bull
The second of four Kentucky Derby qualifiers at Oaklawn Park, the Jan. 28 Southwest (G3) featured the return of Arabian Knight, a spectacular wire-to-wire maiden winner on the Breeders’ Cup Saturday undercard in his career debut.
Kentucky Derby
Meet the Contenders: 2023 Holy Bull Stakes
Star Ratings and Pros/Cons for the Holy Bull Stakes contenders.
Racing
Tipsheet: 2023 Holy Bull Stakes
An octet of three-year-olds will travel 1 1/16 miles on the Gulfstream Park dirt in Saturday’s $250,000 Holy Bull S. (G3).
Wagering
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Geaux Rocket Ride romps for Mandella
Arguably the most impressive three-year-old maiden winner of the weekend was Richard Mandella’s Geaux Rocket Ride, who trounced his Sunday debut sprinting six furlongs at Santa Anita.
Racing
Top trainers on Road to Kentucky Derby and their past Derby history
We take a look at some of the top Derby trainers and their horses to keep an eye on in upcoming Derby preps, as well as how those trainers have fared in past Kentucky Derby races.
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby Report: Instant Coffee bolsters resume in Lecomte win; Cox trio set for Southwest
Launching a last-to-first move on the far turn, Instant Coffee overtook Two Phil’s in midstretch and drew away to a 2 1/2-length victory in Saturday’s Lecomte (G3) at Fair Grounds.
Racing
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Stoutly bred colts Slip Mahoney, First Defender post victories
Sometimes, you look at the pedigree of a young maiden winner and think, “Wow, this horse is bred to run long.”
Racing
Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 3: ‘All others' 2-1, Forte 7-1
Pool 3 of the 2023 Kentucky Derby Future Wager closed Sunday evening with a pretty familiar look at the very top of the market, but notable movers underneath.
Kentucky Derby
Mucciolo's Top Eight Kentucky Derby Prospects for Pool 3
While we are many months and numerous prep races away from solidifying a field for the 2023 Run for the Roses, it is obviously never too early to begin Derby dreaming.
Kentucky Derby
Instant Coffee winning the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) at Churchill Downs (Photo by Coady Photography)
Lecomte exotics plays and All-Stakes Late Pick 3 for Fair Grounds Jan. 21
Below we offer exotics plays for the Lecomte Stakes along with a Late Pick 3 ticket covering Races 12-14, which includes the Silverbulletday S. and Louisiana S. (G3).
Wagering
Kentucky Derby Report: Lecomte big test for Instant Coffee
Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) winner Instant Coffee is one of 11 individuals listed for trainer Brad Cox in Pool 3 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager, and his performance in Saturday’s Lecomte (G3) at Fair Grounds will determine his closing odds.
Kentucky Derby
How to play Pool 3 of the 2023 Kentucky Derby Future Wager
Much has changed, and yet little has changed with the betting options for Pool 3 of the 2023 Kentucky Derby Future Wager.
Kentucky Derby
Cox, Pletcher preparing deep rosters for Kentucky Derby qualifiers
Kentucky Derby-winning trainers Brad Cox and Todd Pletcher are in familiar territory at this time of the year, orchestrating plans for a large contingent of prospects.
Kentucky Derby
Forte early individual choice in KDFW Pool 3
The field for Pool 3 of the 2023 Kentucky Derby Future Wager (KDFW) has been announced by Churchill Downs.
Kentucky Derby
Todd Pletcher had a trio of three-year-old maiden winners on Saturday. (NYRA/Coglianese Photography)
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Kingsbarns, Cuvier, Clubhouse win for Pletcher
Two-time Kentucky Derby (G1)-winning trainer Todd Pletcher knows how to prepare a January maiden winner for success on the first Saturday in May.
Kentucky Derby
Instant Coffee winning the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) at Churchill Downs (Photo by Coady Photography)
Bolt d'Oro finishes 2022 as leading first-crop sire, Instant Coffee one to watch
Former graded-stakes winner Bolt d’Oro closed out 2022 atop the first-crop sire rankings based on progeny earnings, with 29 winners from 80 runners, including six stakes winners and three graded stakes heroes.
Pedigree
First-crop sires: Good Magic increases Kentucky Derby prep tally to four
Reincarnate and Dubyuhnell have become the latest sons of Good Magic to win Road to the Kentucky Derby events.
Pedigree
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Reincarnate
Dashing to the lead and refusing to yield proved a successful strategy for Reincarnate in the Sham (G3) at Santa Anita, as the hardy gray colt led all the way to prevail by a neck.
Pedigree
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Willakenzie cruises for Cox
Kentucky Derby (G1)-winning trainer Brad Cox sent out Willakenzie on Thursday at Fair Grounds to win his debut traveling 1 1/8 miles.
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Lugan Knight
You have to admire the tenacity Lugan Knight displayed to win the Jerome S. on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. But does he have the pedigree to handle the Kentucky Derby's testing 1 1/4-mile distance?
Racing
Kentucky Derby Report: Forte brings top credentials to the New Year
The Road to the Kentucky Derby series opened in late September, but the prep season doesn’t get into full swing until the New Year. And the first qualifier of 2023 took place at Oaklawn Park on New Year’s Day, the Smarty Jones.
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Pletcher, Cox, Mott pick up new winners
Kentucky Derby (G1)-winning trainers Todd Pletcher, Brad Cox, and Bill Mott all picked up possible 2023 Derby players when they sent out two-year-olds to win maiden races on New Year’s Eve.
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Victory Formation
After posting two victories sprinting as a juvenile, Victory Formation joined the Road to the Kentucky Derby with a pacesetting triumph in the one-mile Smarty Jones S. at Oaklawn Park.
Racing
Kentucky Derby: 2022 End of Year Stock Take
With all major juvenile racing now complete in 2022, it’s time to take stock of the 2023 Kentucky Derby picture – though it may seem as murky as it’s ever been.
Kentucky Derby
Catching My Eye: Fair Grounds' Road to the Derby Kickoff Day
Three out of the last four Derby winners come through Fair Grounds, and both Epicenter and Rich Strike, the Kentucky Derby 148 exacta, ran in last year’s Gun Runner Stakes.
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Jace's Road
Jace’s Road couldn’t have been much more impressive in the Gun Runner S. on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. But does he have the pedigree to thrive racing 1 1/4 miles in the Kentucky Derby?
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Banishing, Groveland win for Godolphin
Godolphin has never won the Kentucky Derby (G1), but perhaps that will change in 2023. Maiden winners Banishing and Groveland are shaping up as possible Derby players for the world-renowned stable.
Racing
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Tapit Trice shows grit for Pletcher
Two-time Kentucky Derby (G1)-winning trainer Todd Pletcher recently picked up another possible Derby player when Tapit Trice broke his maiden at Aqueduct.
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Wildatlanticstorm
Does Wildatlanticstorm have the pedigree to factor in the Kentucky Derby?
Kentucky Derby
2022 in Review: Bull's 10 Best Races of the year
As of this moment, these are the 10 races I enjoyed watching most in 2022.
Features
Tipsheet: 2022 Springboard Mile Stakes
A talented field of nine juveniles will travel one-mile on the Remington Park dirt in Saturday’s $400,000 Springboard Mile S.
Wagering
Tipsheet: 2022 Los Alamitos Futurity
A compact field of five two-year-olds will travel 1 1/16 miles in Saturday’s $200,000 Los Alamitos Futurity (G2).
Wagering
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Phileas Fogg, Z Resurrection impress at Fair Grounds
What do Country House, Mandaloun, and Rich Strike have in common? They’ve all won the Kentucky Derby (G1) since 2019, and they all did so after competing at Fair Grounds during the winter.
Racing
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Tapit Shoes wins for Cox
Arguably no trainer is heading into 2023 with a deeper group of Kentucky Derby (G1) contenders than Brad Cox.
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Dubyuhnell
Unwavering tenacity carried Dubyuhnell to a hard-fought victory in the Remsen S. (G2) at Aqueduct, but can he stretch out over 1 1/4 miles in the Kentucky Derby (G1)?
Kentucky Derby
Inside the Kentucky Derby - Remsen Stakes Race Preview [PODCAST]
Today’s show Darren and KK preview the historic Remsen Stakes at Aqueduct. This longer race will be a challenge for the field.
Kentucky Derby
Aqueduct: How to bet With, and Against, Zandon in the 2022 Cigar Mile
A total of six horses will go postward in the lucrative $750,000 Cigar Mile H. (G1) on Saturday.
Wagering
Tipsheet: 2022 Remsen Stakes
A total of seven juveniles will run 1 1/8 miles on the Aqueduct main strip in Saturday’s $250,000 Remsen S. (G2).
Kentucky Derby
Instant Coffee winning the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) at Churchill Downs (Photo by Coady Photography)
Racing Roundtable: Stars of Tomorrow II
With the 2022 Churchill Downs fall meet in the books, James Scully, Kellie Reilly, and Vance Hanson look back on the final Saturday's juvenile action in this week's Racing Roundtable.
Features
Inside the Kentucky Derby - Kentucky Jockey Club Recap [PODCAST]
Today’s show Darren and KK recap the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes at Churchill Downs. Instant Coffee was able to grind out a victory after a late rally.
Kentucky Derby
Instant Coffee winning the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) at Churchill Downs (Photo by Coady Photography)
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Instant Coffee
Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) winner Instant Coffee has always had the pedigree to shine as an early-maturing Road to the Kentucky Derby contender.
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Is Casse's Determinedly the next War of Will?
Determinedly, Gun Pilot, and Point Proven impressed during the "Stars of Tomorrow II" program at Churchill Downs.
Kentucky Derby
'All others' favored in KDFW Pool 2, Sire Future Wager
The mutuel field of “All other three-year-old colts and geldings” closed as the 4-5 favorite in Pool 2 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager conducted over Thanksgiving weekend.
Kentucky Derby
An exacta strategy for Pool 2 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager
There are two strategies that look to be worth using for Pool 2 of the 2023 Kentucky Derby Future Wager.
Kentucky Derby
Inside the Kentucky Derby - Kentucky Jockey Club Preview [PODCAST]
Today’s show Darren and KK preview the Kentucky Jockey Club at Churchill Downs. This will be the last Kentucky Derby Prep Race that runs at Churchill Downs.
Kentucky Derby
First-crop sires: Good Magic's Breeders' Cup Juvenile duo in KDFW Pool 2
Although his three Breeders’ Cup runners didn’t crack the trifecta on Future Stars Friday, Good Magic’s terrific start to his stallion career has warranted a stud fee hike.
Features
Forte (left) beats Loggins in the Breeders' Futurity (G1) at Keeneland. (Photo by Coady Photography)
Fields for Pool 2 of 2023 Kentucky Derby Future Wager and Kentucky Derby Sire Future Wager
Pool 2 of the 2023 Kentucky Derby Future Wager (KDFW) and the only Kentucky Derby Sire Future Wager will be offered to racing fans across the country this week.
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Litigate, Classic Catch prevail for Pletcher
The two Kentucky Derby (G1) winners conditioned by Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher employed vastly different routes to reach the Derby. Litigate will try to split the difference.
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Will McGaughey's colt become the Talk of the Nation?
Memories of Shug McGaughey's 2013 Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Orb came to mind when McGaughey unveiled Talk of the Nation at Aqueduct last Friday.
Racing
Kentucky Derby takeaways from the Breeders' Cup Juvenile
What can we take away from the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile as we head toward the Kentucky Derby?
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby 2026
Kentucky Derby information
Learn about the 2026 Kentucky Derby
What is the Kentucky Derby?
- Location: Churchill Downs
- Inaugural Race: 1875
- Current Distance: 1 & 1/4 miles (10 furlongs)
- Track Type: Left-Handed Dirt
- Age Qualification: Three-year-olds
- 2026 Purse: $5 million
- 2026 Race Date: Saturday, May 2nd
Previous Kentucky Derby Contenders: | Runner Information |
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Kentucky Derby Video
A Brief History of the Kentucky Derby
The most famous horse race in the world is the most thrilling two minutes in sport. It takes place on the first Saturday in May at the historic Churchill Downs racecourse in Louisville, Kentucky and regularly attended by more than 150,000 people. The record attendance was 165,307 in 2012, and in 2014 164,906 watched California Chrome win "the run for the roses".
The inaugural Kentucky Derby took place in 1875 after Col. Meriweather Lewis Clark, Jr had visited England three years earlier and witnessed the Epsom Derby, a famous race which had been run since 1780 on the outskirts of London. The Kentucky Derby was originally raced over the same distance of 1 & 1/2 miles as the Epsom Derby (it was changed to its current distance of 1 & 1/4 miles in 1896. An estimated crowd of 10,000 watched the colt Aristides crowned winner of the first running of the race at the newly constructed Churchill Downs racecourse.
The first live radio broadcast of the Kentucky Derby was in 1925, and it wasn't until 1949 that the first television coverage of the race happened. In 2016 the race will be covered live by NBC with real-time payouts and results from horse racing's premier event available all day on BetAmerica.com.
The race is so popular that in the preceding two weeks leading up to the running, the city of Louisville holds the Kentucky Derby Festival, Kentucky’s largest single annual event. The Kentucky Derby Festival is comprised of several events, including Thunder Over Louisville (the biggest annual fireworks display in North America), the Great Balloon Race, the Pegasus Parade (one the countries largest), and The Great Steamboat Race.
Entries into the Kentucky Derby include some of the most famous racehorses to ever compete. Notable entries into the race include Regret, Sir Burton, Gallant Fox, Omaha, War Admiral, Citation, Northern Dancer, Seattle Slew, War Emblem, and California Chrome.
Visit our Kentucky Derby Trivia page for more insights into the most famous race in the world, including detailed facts about entries, records, and winners.
TwinSpires is a licensed supplier of online betting on the Kentucky Derby. You can bet on the Kentucky Derby legally online at TwinSpires.com with a regulated U.S. based website where your deposits are safe and your winnings are guaranteed. All bets are placed directly into the official Churchill Downs betting pools and all winnings are paid at full track odds.
Kentucky Derby Race Records
Fastest Time Recorded
- 1.59.40
Secretariat - 1973
Biggest Odds Winner
- 91-1
Donerail - 1913
Biggest Win Margin
- 8 lengths
Assault (1946) & Whirlaway (1941)
Most Wins by a Jockey
- 5
Eddie Arcaro (1938, 1941, 1945, 1948, 1952) & Bill Hartack (1957, 1960, 1962, 1964, 1969)
Most Wins by an Owner
- 8
Calumet Farm (1941, 1944, 1948, 1949, 1952, 1957, 1958, 1968)
Most Wins by a Trainer
- 6
Ben A Jones (1938, 1941, 1944, 1948, 1949, 1952)
Bob Baffert (1997, 1998, 2002, 2015, 2018, 2020, 2021*)
Kentucky Derby prep-race listing:
View a complete list of prep-races that award points along the Road to the Kentucky Derby trail. Prep-races are valuable stepping stones for horses looking to compete on the First Saturday in May.
Kentucky Derby Party & Fun Facts
- KELLY: One Hundred Years Ago, Colonel Bradley Goes for the One-Two
- KELLY: More Than One Way to Wear Roses
- HANSON: D. Wayne Lukas the best asset for fillies in Kentucky Derby preps
- HANSON: Phenom to Journeyman: The Riding Life of Bill Boland
- KELLY: Some Things Stay the Same: One Hundred Days, One Hundred Years Ago
- HANSON: 1945 - When the Kentucky Derby moved from May to June
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