Kentucky Derby

Kentucky Derby ? Race Details:

When:
First Saturday in May
Track Location:
Churchill Downs Racetrack, Kentucky
Race Distance:
2012m (1 ? miles)
Race Status:
Group 1
Race Conditions:
Three-Year-Olds at Set Weights
Set Weights:
Colts & Geldings ? 57.2kg / Fillies ? 54.9kg
Stakes:
US $2 million
Inaugurated:
1875

The Kentucky Derby is the first leg of the coveted United States Triple Crown series for three-year-olds. It is a Group 1 event that takes place on the first Saturday of May annually at the Churchill Downs racetrack in Louisville, Kentucky. Run since 1875, it is one of the oldest and most esteemed thoroughbred races in America and marks the end of the exciting Kentucky Derby Festival.

The Kentucky Derby is run over 1 ? miles, or 2012 metres, under set weight conditions. It was originally a 1 ? mile race the same as the Epsom Derby and Grand Prix de Paris but was shortened to its current length in 1896. Worth US $2 million, the Kentucky Derby is the most lucrative of all the US Triple Crown races. It is the most anticipated and attended stakes race in the United States and is often referred to as ?the fastest two minutes in sports?.

When betting on the Kentucky Derby it is important to look at the history, statistics and winning trends of the race as a guide. For example, only three fillies in history have claimed victory at the Kentucky Derby, the first of which was Regret (1915). Also, it is essential to watch the runner?s performance and form in key prep races and keep in mind that Apollo in 1882 was the last horse to win the Kentucky Derby without racing as a two-year-old.

There is an official schedule of over 40 Kentucky Derby prep races that runners contend in the lead-up to the event. Running from January through until the week before the Kentucky Derby on the first weekend in May, these races provide the horses hoping to secure a run and win in the Derby with essential experience and also give the punters a good guide to the dominant runners for the Kentucky. Key prep races held the month before include the Withers (1mile), Lexington (1 1/16 miles), and the Santa Anita Derby (1 1/18 miles). For a complete list of all the Kentucky Derby prep races visit the race?s official site and see the Derby Prep Schedule.

Kentucky Derby entries will often continue their season campaign with runs in the other two elite races that make up the Triple Crown, the Preakness Stakes (1 3/16miles) held a fortnight later at the Pimlico racecourse and the Belmont Stakes (1 1/2miles) in June.

Kentucky Derby ? Records:

Race Record:
1:59.40 set by Secretariat in 1973
Longest-Priced Entry to Win:
Donerail in 1913 won with odds of 924:10
Most Successful Jockeys:
Eddie Arcaro has won five Kentucky Derbies with Lawrin (1938), Whirlaway (1941), Hoop Jr. (1945), Citation (1948) and Hill Gail (1952).
Bill Hartack also had five wins at the Kentucky Derby with Iron Liege (1957), Venetian Way (1960), Decidedly (1962), Northern Dancer (1964) and Majestic Prince (1969).
Most Successful Trainer:
Ben A. Jones won the Kentucky Derby six times with Lawrin (1938), Whirlaway (1941), Pensive (1944), Citation (1948), Ponder (1949) and Hill Gail (1952).

Kentucky Derby ? Recent Race Results:

Year

Winner

Runner-Up

Third

Winner’s Time

2009
Mine That Bird
Pioneer of the Nile Musket Man 2:02.66
2008
Big Brown
Eight Belles Denis of Cork 2:01.82
2007
Street Sense
Hard Spun Curlin 2:02.17
2006
Barbaro
Bluegrass Cat Steppenwolfer 2:01.36
2005
Giacomo
Closing Argument Afleet Alex 2:02.75
2004
Smarty Jones
Lion Heart Imperialism 2:04.06
2003
Funny Cide
Empire Maker Peace Rules 2:01.19
2002
War Emblem
Proud Citizen Perfect Drift 2:01.13
2001
Monarchos
Invisible Ink Congaree 1:59.97
2000
Fusaichi Pegasus
Aptitude Impeachment 2:01.00

Spring Racing

Military Mission Fires in 2023...

Zipping Classic 2023 Field �...

Zipping Classic 2023 Field & Odds Update: Vow And Declare Defends Title

Danny O’Brien’s 2019 Melbourne Cup winner Vow And Declare continues to show a...

Overpass Heads 2023 Winterbott...

Overpass Heads 2023 Winterbottom Stakes Field & Betting Markets

Bjron Baker’s The Everest performer Overpass is tipped to return to winning...

Osipenko Leads The Gong 2023 R...

Osipenko Leads The Gong 2023 Race Field & Betting

The Chris Waller-trained Pierro four-year-old Osipenko is firm favourite in...

2023 Railway Stakes Field ...

2023 Railway Stakes Field & Betting Update: Tuvalu Narrow Favourite

The Lindsey Smith-trained top-weight Tuvalu is narrow favourite in the latest...

Horse Racing Today

2024 The Galaxy Results: Zapat...

Golden Slipper Results 2024: L...

Golden Slipper Results 2024: Lady Of Camelot Beats Coleman, Storm Boy Third

Co-trainer Gai Waterhouse extended her record to eight victories in the 2024...

Imperatriz Defends Title in 20...

Imperatriz Defends Title in 2024 William Reid Stakes

Imperatriz made history celebrating her 10th Group 1 when going back-to-back...

2024 George Ryder Stakes Winne...

2024 George Ryder Stakes Winner Veight Beats Older Rivals

Veight joined an elite list of three-year-olds to beat home the older horses...

Rosehill Guineas 2024 Results:...

Rosehill Guineas 2024 Results: Riff Rocket Flies Home Late Ahead of ATC Derby

Chris Waller’s VRC Derby winner from the spring, Riff Rocket, now has the...

Race Results

2024 The Galaxy Results: Zapateo Upsets Sunshine In Paris

Golden Slipper Results 2024: Lady Of Camelot Beats Coleman, Storm Boy Third

Imperatriz Defends Title in 2024 William Reid Stakes

2024 George Ryder Stakes Winner Veight Beats Older Rivals

Rosehill Guineas 2024 Results: Riff Rocket Flies Home Late Ahead of ATC Derby

Race Previews

UK Raider Post Impressionist Heads Tancred Stakes Field & Odds

2024 Australian Cup Field & Betting Update: Pride Of Jenni v Mr Brightside

Golden Slipper 2024 Tips & Betting Update

The Galaxy 2024 Race Field & Odds: Ozzmosis Leads Betting on Slipper Day Sprint

2024 Rosehill Guineas Field & Betting Update: Riff Rocket Set to Take Off

Fields & Form

UK Raider Post Impressionist Heads Tancred Stakes Field & Odds

2024 Australian Cup Field & Betting Update: Pride Of Jenni v Mr Brightside

Golden Slipper 2024 Tips & Betting Update

The Galaxy 2024 Race Field & Odds: Ozzmosis Leads Betting on Slipper Day Sprint

2024 Rosehill Guineas Field & Betting Update: Riff Rocket Set to Take Off