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 |