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Churchill Downs (Photo by Coady Media)

Tall Tales of the Track: Whose Horse Is He Anyway?

Sat Mar 22 2025Jennifer Kelly

Owning a racehorse is a point of pride for many a racing fan; owning one who wins stakes races and competes in classics like the Kentucky Derby takes that investment to another level. For one Derby contender, the story behind the name on his papers turned out to be one laden with controversy and intrigue.

History

Clyde Van Dusen wins the 1929 Kentucky Derby (Photo courtesy of the Kentucky Derby Museum)

Tall Tales of the Track: A Tale of Two Clydes

Wed Feb 26 2025Jennifer Kelly

Once upon a time in the rolling hills of the Kentucky Bluegrass, a little chestnut horse was born. What he lacked in stature, he made up for in talent and heart, especially on rainy days. Named for his equally diminutive trainer, Clyde Van Dusen put on a big show on the first Saturday in May and did his big sire proud with his Kentucky Derby win.

Kentucky Derby

Keeneland starting gate (Photo courtesy of Keeneland)

A True Gentleman of the Sport: Edward L. Bowen (1942-2025)

Thu Jan 23 2025Jennifer Kelly

Edward L. Bowen, former BloodHorse editor, author, and historian, was one of those storytellers, a man who loved every facet of racing and made it his life’s mission to share its stories.

Features

1910 Kentucky Derby Winner Donau

Tall Tales of the Track: Donau Doesn’t Play

Sun Jan 19 2025Jennifer Kelly

Every Kentucky Derby winner leaves their mark on the race, a collection of 150 stories writing the history of this sporting institution. One particular winner, Donau, came to Louisville with a colorful background and an even more colorful personality, his tale one of a champion with an attitude all his own.

History

Unbridled, the 1990 Kentucky Derby winner, has furthered the classic influence of the Native Dancer/Mr. Prospector sire line (Churchill Downs Photo)

At Long Last: Perseverance Pays Off at the Kentucky Derby

Sun Dec 22 2024Jennifer Kelly

For names like Day and Pincay, Whittingham and Stephens, and Mellon and Genter, the road to Derby glory is long and winding, but their arrival is a celebration of the triumph of spirit and perseverance that finally brought them Kentucky Derby glory.

Kentucky Derby

1904 Kentucky Derby Winner Elwood

Tall Tales of the Track, Kentucky Derby Edition: One Horse, Two Women, and a Derby for the Show Me State

Sun Dec 15 2024Jennifer Kelly

Bred by Emma Holt Prather, Elwood came east from California to contest the Kentucky Derby for his owner Lasca Durnell, not only giving Missouri its lone rosy victor but also becoming the first bred and owned by women.

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 Dec 06 2024Jennifer 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

The field breaks from the starting gate in the 2024 Kentucky Oaks (G1) at Churchill Downs (Photo by Coady Media)

Trying for Lilies and Roses: Fillies Who Ran in the Kentucky Derby and Won the Kentucky Oaks

Thu Nov 21 2024Jennifer Kelly

In its 150 years, five fillies were able to win the Kentucky Oaks after their turn in the Kentucky Derby, putting these distaffers in a class of their own.

Kentucky Derby

Apollo - 1882 (Courtesy of the Kentucky Derby)

Tall Tales of the Track, Kentucky Derby Edition: One Winner, Two Sires?

Fri Nov 15 2024Jennifer Kelly

Named for 1882 Kentucky Derby winner Apollo, this phenomenon commemorated the Bluegrass-bred colt’s extraordinary victory over a popular choice in Runnymede.

Kentucky Derby

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

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

Tue Nov 12 2024Jennifer 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

Auguste Rodin winning the Breeders' Cup Turf (G1) at Santa Anita (Photo by Horsephotos.com)

5 Key Breeders’ Cup Betting Trends for Turf Races

Sat Oct 26 2024Jennifer Kelly

As you plan your wagers for these two championship days, these five trends can help you narrow down your choices for each race as well as those multi-race wagers.

Breeders Cup

Good Magic galloping under the Twin Spires - Coady Photography

Not Always the First Saturday in May: The Kentucky Derby’s Changing Calendar

Tue Oct 22 2024Jennifer Kelly

Through war, pandemic, and the ever-evolving sport of horse racing, the Run for the Roses has rolled with the punches, finally settling into its familiar place on our calendar.

History

1918 Kentucky Derby Winner Exterminator (Courtesy of the Kentucky Derby Museum, Please ask Permission for Use)

Tall Tales of the Track, Kentucky Derby Edition: ‘The Truck Horse’ Does Good

Sun Oct 13 2024Jennifer Kelly

The 1918 Kentucky Derby brought the sport one of its most beloved figures, Exterminator, whose surprising victory in the Run for the Roses showed that great performances could come from the most unexpected places.

Features

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

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

Wed Oct 02 2024Jennifer 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

Mary Hirsch, father Max Hirsch and Jack Horner (Photo courtesy of Keeneland Library Cook Collection)

She Was the First: Mary Hirsch, No Sir, and the 1937 Kentucky Derby

Fri Sep 20 2024Jennifer Kelly

In the 1930s, as racing grew from coast to coast, more women sought the chance to become a part of the country’s oldest sporting pastime. One of those was Mary Hirsch.

Kentucky Derby

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

Tall Tales of the Track, Kentucky Derby Edition: Nellie the First

Fri Sep 13 2024Jennifer Kelly

As Warren Wright transitioned Calumet from trotters to Thoroughbreds, he invested in a band of broodmares to create the families that would eventually produce two Triple Crown winners. To build that program, he purchased a mare with classic credentials and a unique story of her own, one that combines a tobacco farm, a cartoonist, and the 20th century’s greatest horse to create Calumet’s first Kentucky Derby starter, a filly named Nellie Flag.

Kentucky Derby

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)

Fri Sep 06 2024Jennifer 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

Queen Elizabeth II arrives at Royal Ascot racecourse, England. (Photo by Frank Sorge/Horsephotos.com)

Royalty and Roses: The Nobility Comes to Churchill Downs

Sun Aug 18 2024Jennifer Kelly

Not only has the Kentucky Derby played to many Thoroughbred kings and queens, but has also attracted its share of royalty to the day’s celebrations, including famed royal equestrienne herself, Queen Elizabeth II.

History

Burgoo King in the winner's circle after the 1932 Kentucky Derby (Photo courtesy of the Kentucky Derby Museum)

Tall Tales of the Track, Kentucky Derby Edition: A Cursed Classic Contest

Sat Aug 10 2024Jennifer Kelly

Despite the bright skies and the field brimming with talent, Burgoo King’s 1932 Derby win would prove to be one not of good fortune, but bad luck instead.

Features

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

Thu Aug 01 2024Jennifer 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.

History

Kentucky Derby starting gate (Photo by Coady Media/Churchill Downs)

Coming to You Live: A History of Broadcasting the Kentucky Derby

Sun Jul 21 2024Jennifer Kelly

The 150 years of the Kentucky Derby have seen this famous test follow the evolution of media, where this racing experience has gone from words on a page to images on our screens, creating a day at the races unlike any other.

Education

Garland of Roses for the Kentucky Derby winner (Photo by Coady Photography/Churchill Downs)

Tall Tales of the Track, Kentucky Derby Edition: Taking a (Long) Shot at Roses

Fri Jul 12 2024Jennifer Kelly

Though the early list for the 1972 Kentucky Derby featured names like Riva Ridge and No Le Hace, as the race grew closer, a maiden named One Eyed Tom grew closer to making his owner’s Derby dreams come true. However, to make his shot at rosy glory a reality, the gelding needed to pass one very important test: the gate test.

History

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

Fri Jul 05 2024Jennifer 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

Borrow in 1st, Regret in 2nd (Robinson up), Old Rosebud in 3rd at Brooklyn Hdcp, Aqueduct in 1917(Keeneland Library Hemment Collection)

A Battle of Titans: The 1917 Brooklyn Handicap

Fri Jun 14 2024Jennifer Kelly

On June 25, 1917, another memorable clash played out at old Aqueduct Racetrack, as three Kentucky Derby winners and three Hall of Famers made that dirt oval their arena in a historic battle of titans. In this epic saga, the finale yields a surprising twist as these superstars play off each other over nine furlongs on the Gotham stage.

History

Tall Tales of the Track, Kentucky Derby Edition: Watch Out!

Fri Jun 07 2024Jennifer Kelly

The maiden colt Great Redeemer became a part of Derby history thanks to his unconventional connections and inauspicious Run for the Roses, including a close call of the photographic kind.

Kentucky Derby

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

Fri May 31 2024Jennifer 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.

Features

Mystik Dan in the Kentucky Derby winner's circle

Mystik Dan wears the garland of roses as the 150th Kentucky Derby winner (Photo by Horsephotos.com/Getty Images)

Double the Joy: Trainer/Jockey Duos Who Won Roses and Lilies

Sat May 18 2024Jennifer Kelly

The 150th Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby were memorable for more than the milestone anniversaries for both classics. When Thorpedo Anna took the Oaks and then Mystik Dan eked out a Derby victory, they gave Kenny McPeek and Brian Hernandez, Jr. a rare double victory, just the third trainer/jockey combo to win both races in the same year. The previous pairs include multiple Hall of Famers, each leaving their mark on the sport through their achievements under the Twin Spires.

Kentucky Derby

Tall Tales of the Track, Kentucky Derby Edition: Close Encounters of Unlucky Kind

Tue May 14 2024Jennifer Kelly

Sometimes the difference between winning and losing is nothing more than a bit of bad luck, as jockey Charley Kurtsinger discovered in the 1936 Kentucky Derby.

Features

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

Wed May 08 2024Jennifer 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

Sierra Leone wins the Blue Grass (G1) at Keeneland (Photo by Coady Media/Mary Ellet)

Why I'm Betting Sierra Leone in the Kentucky Derby

Sat May 04 2024Jennifer Kelly

Sierra Leone closed fast in the Blue Grass Stakes (G1) on April 6 to earn another 100 points and morning line odds of 3-1 for today's Kentucky Derby. This son of Gun Runner's record of 4-3-1-0 is just one reason why I will be betting on #2 Sierra Leone in the 2024 Kentucky Derby.

Kentucky Derby