Kentucky Derby Alumni Update: Nov 9, 2021

The Breeders’ Cup happened at Del Mar this weekend, and on Saturday, Nov. 6, Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks alumni came out in force. However, that was not the only place to see familiar faces from the first weekend in May.

Let’s check in on the latest Kentucky Derby stars in action!

• Though the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) winner Knicks Go never ran in the Kentucky Derby, the next three horses home were all sophomores who ran under the Twin Spires this year. Medina Spirit (1st across the wire, 2021 Kentucky Derby) stalked the pace and chased home second, two and three quarters lengths behind the winner. Essential Quality (4th, 2021 Kentucky Derby) was the only horse to close significantly, rallying for third, while Hot Rod Charlie (3rd, 2021 Kentucky Derby) made an early bid and flattened to fourth. Four-year-old Max Player (5th, 2020 Kentucky Derby), off a bit slow, settled toward the rear and finished eighth.
• Though Malathaat (1st, 2021 Kentucky Oaks) did not end her season with a win in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1), she crossed the wire best of the Oaks alumni in that race, closing well for third, only half a length behind longshot Marche Lorraine. Clairiere (4th, 2021 Kentucky Oaks) was also finishing well in the Distaff, coming from last to finish fourth, just a neck behind Malathaat. Shedaresthedevil (1st, 2020 Kentucky Oaks) fared best of the horses who raced anywhere near the sizzling early pace; she finished sixth, six and a half lengths behind Marche Lorraine.
• Firenze Fire (11th, 2018 Kentucky Derby) was the only Derby alumnus in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1). Well off the pace early, he took mildly closer order in the lane but ultimately finished eighth, 5 3/4 lengths behind winner Aloha West.
• Heavily favored in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint, Gamine (disqualified, 2020 Kentucky Oaks) set the pace while prompted early, but was unable to hold off the rallies of either Ce Ce or Edgeway midstretch. Ce Ce won by 2 1/2 lengths over Edgeway, with Gamine coming home third, 3/4 length behind Edgeway.
• In the Bet On Sunshine Stakes Nov. 6 at Churchill Downs, Necker Island (9th, 2020 Kentucky Derby) continued to look right at home at one turn on the dirt. Despite checking hard around the turn, he came with a rally into the lane, outslugged Sir Alfred James, and held off the re-rallying Mucho to prevail by a head.
• Competitive Speed (13th, 2021 Kentucky Oaks) returned Friday, Nov. 5, trying Tapeta in the Cellars Shiraz Stakes at Gulfstream Park. Forward through the early and middle stages of the race, she weakened in the lane to finish ninth, 11 1/2 lengths behind Inthewinnerscircle.