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Trackside: 2024 Risen Star Week at Fair Grounds [VIDEO]
TwinSpires is trackside all week from Fair Grounds as we talk with trainers, visit with horses and host barn tours. Our team of Abbey Huffman, Ashley Anderson and Blaise Bollman give you exclusive access to one of the main staging grounds of winter racing and Kentucky Derby hopefuls.
Triple Crown
Locked installed at 10-1 for Pool 4 of Kentucky Derby Future Wager
Pool 4 of the 2024 Kentucky Derby Future Wager (KDFW) will be held this week. Wagering opens at noon ET on Friday and concludes Sunday at 6 p.m. $2 win and exacta wagering will be offered.
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Winners in Florida and New York
Two-time Kentucky Derby (G1)-winning trainer Todd Pletcher continues to add to his roster of contenders for the 2024 Run for the Roses.
Kentucky Derby
Fair odds for 150th Kentucky Derby (Feb. 9 edition)
The Kentucky Derby (G1) points leaderboard is about to undergo some dramatic changes beginning next week with the first 50-points-to-the-winner prep, the Risen Star (G2) at Fair Grounds.
Kentucky Derby
Dornoch looking to keep Kentucky Derby in the family
If successful in the Kentucky Derby, not only would Dornoch long be recognized as the winner of an historic edition, but he would also become the first sibling of a Derby winner to also win the race.
Kentucky Derby
Pedigree profile: Nysos
After two blowout victories sprinting, it was no surprise to see Nysos dominate his two-turn debut, winning the one-mile Robert B. Lewis S. (G3) at Santa Anita by 7 1/2 lengths.
Pedigree
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Well-bred Tuscan Gold romps
Only time will tell if Tuscan Gold has the talent to win the Kentucky Derby (G1). But there’s no doubt the bay colt has the pedigree to shine on the first Saturday in May.
Kentucky Derby
Meet the Contenders: 2024 Robert B. Lewis Stakes
Meet the horses running in the 2024 Robert B. Lewis S. (G3) at Santa Anita. For each horse, we're listing a pro, a con, and a rating of potential. The star rating of 1 to 5 represents opportunity to perform well. Be sure to follow these contenders by adding them to your Stable Alerts.
Kentucky Derby
Meet the Contenders: 2024 Withers Stakes
Meet the horses running in the 2024 Withers S. (G3) at Aqueduct. For each horse, we're listing a pro, a con, and a rating of potential. The star rating of 1 to 5 represents opportunity to perform well. Be sure to follow these contenders by adding them to your Stable Alerts.
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Speak Easy is the talk of the town
One year after Kentucky Derby winner Mage won a Pegasus World Cup Day maiden race at Gulfstream Park, Speak Easy impressed in an identical maiden contest.
Kentucky Derby
Catching My Eye: Asmussen has two pointed for Risen Star
In the end, the Lecomte (G3) didn’t tell me much besides reinforcing a lesson I thought I had etched into my skull.
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Hall of Fame is very fast
The equine Hall of Fame took a solid first step toward a place in the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame when he smashed a 1 1/16-mile maiden special weight on Saturday at Fair Grounds.
Kentucky Derby
Fierceness holds steady at 8-1; 'All Others' 2-1 in KDFW Pool 3
Final odds for Pool 3 of the 2024 Kentucky Derby Future Wager
Kentucky Derby
Horses to watch in Pool 3 of 2024 Kentucky Derby Future Wager
Pool 3 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager will be offered Friday-Sunday, and TwinSpires handicappers James Scully and Vance Hanson have come up with individual choices they like among the lineup of 40, as well a consensus value play.
Kentucky Derby
First-crop sires: The Wine Steward finishes 2023 as Vino Rosso’s top earner
Spendthrift Farm’s Vino Rosso, the 2019 winner of the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1), closed out the 2023 season ranked third among North American first-crop sires, with $2,193,544 in progeny earnings; nearly 17% of which was earned by The Wine Steward.
Pedigree
Fierceness installed at 8-1 for Pool 3 of Kentucky Derby Future Wager
Pool 3 of the 2024 Kentucky Derby Future Wager (KDFW) will be offered this weekend, beginning at noon ET on Friday. Wagering closes Sunday at 6 p.m. ET. Pool 3 features $2 win and exacta wagering.
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Pletcher saddles three winners
Two-time Kentucky Derby (G1)-winning trainer Todd Pletcher sent out a trio of possible 2024 Kentucky Derby contenders to break their maidens during the second week of January.
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Ari’s Magic sparkles on debut
The first week of January produced a handful of noteworthy three-year-old maiden winners with possible Kentucky Derby (G1) aspirations.
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Flashy winners close out 2023
During the closing days of 2023, a bevy of potential Kentucky Derby (G1) contenders posted flashy maiden victories from coast to coast.
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Cox colts shine at Fair Grounds
A pair of 1 1/16-mile maiden special weights contested at Fair Grounds on Saturday could have 2024 Kentucky Derby (G1) implications.
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Winners from coast to coast
All around the country, promising 2-year-olds posted sharp maiden victories last week, throwing their names in the ring as potential 2024 Kentucky Derby (G1) contenders.
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Speed Runner runs to his name
Two-time Kentucky Derby (G1)-winning trainer Todd Pletcher already conditions Fierceness, the early favorite for the 2024 Run for the Roses. But Pletcher’s contingent of possible Derby contenders keeps getting deeper.
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Dornoch
It’s safe to say that Dornoch has the pedigree of a Kentucky Derby (G1) winner. Because… he literally has the pedigree of a Kentucky Derby winner.
Pedigree
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: How talented is El Capi?
How talented is El Capi? It’s hard to say for certain. He was spectacular when debuting in a seven-furlong maiden special weight last Saturday at Aqueduct, but his performance was not without a caveat.
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Five graduate at Churchill
Possible contenders for the 2024 Kentucky Derby (G1) were out in abundance during Thanksgiving week at Churchill Downs.
Kentucky Derby
Fierceness popular in Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 2
Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 2 closed on Sunday with runaway Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) winner Fierceness listed as the 8-1 individual favorite.
Kentucky Derby
Fierceness installed at 15-1 in Pool 2 of 2024 Kentucky Derby Future Wager
Fierceness, the presumptive champion two-year-old colt following a dominating performance in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) at Santa Anita earlier this month, was installed at 15-1 on the morning line for Pool 2 of the 2024 Kentucky Derby Future Wager (KDFW).
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Carbone finishes fast in debut
The week before Thanksgiving is typically a quiet one as far as stakes racing goes. But Carbone made enough noise for five stakes horses when he smashed his debut on Sunday at Churchill Downs.
Kentucky Derby
First-Crop Sires: Flameaway making a mark on turf
Flameaway’s first crop started strong this spring/summer, placing him among the top five freshman sires based on progeny earnings, and the eight-year-old stallion remains prominent.
Pedigree
First-crop sires: Vino Rosso a top-shelf stallion with most progeny earnings by first-crop sires
Vino Rosso has created some distance between himself and Maximus Mischief as the top first-crop sire by progeny earnings in North America and Europe.
Pedigree
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Nash dominates for Godolphin
Possible Road to the Kentucky Derby contenders were out in abundance on Sunday afternoon at Churchill Downs.
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby glory a longshot for major juvenile winners
The lopsided win by Fierceness in last week's Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) has put the colt in the position of early favorite to repeat that success in the 150th edition of the Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs next May.
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Knightsbridge impresses
While most racing fans were watching the Breeders’ Cup, a trio of Saturday maiden special weights at tracks around the U.S. produced eye-catching winners with possible 2024 Kentucky Derby (G1) aspirations.
Kentucky Derby
A Classic Connection: How Derby Horses Fare in the Breeders' Cup Classic
At 10 furlongs, the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) stands as the capstone race of the two-day, 14-race world championships. Its distance is the same as the Kentucky Derby (G1).
Kentucky Derby
Betting begins on Pool 1 of 2024 Kentucky Derby Future Wager
Pool 1 of the 2024 Kentucky Derby Future Wager (KDFW) begins on Tuesday, Oct. 31, at noon ET and will conclude on Thursday, Nov. 2, at 6 p.m.
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Churchill winners shine
The 150th running of the Kentucky Derby (G1) is barely more than six months away, which means it’s time to resume our annual Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch series.
Kentucky Derby
Meet the Contenders: Pros, Cons, and horse ratings for the 2023 Iroquois S.
Meet the Contenders: Pros, Cons, and horse ratings for the 2023 Iroquois S.
Kentucky Derby
Hanson: England gets its Triple Crown right, why can't we?
The drumbeats and clamoring for changes in spacing between the three Triple Crown events has gotten noticeably louder in recent weeks, the result of a disturbing trend this year in which there was little continuity in field composition.
Triple Crown
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Mage
It’s safe to say Mage hails from a family of Kentucky Derby veterans. His sire, grandsire, and dam sire all started in the Run for the Roses.
Triple Crown
Later developers increasingly the ones to fear in American classics
It was only five years ago that we were still talking about the “Curse of Apollo,” whereby horses unraced at age two were perceived to be at a serious disadvantage in the Kentucky Derby (G1).
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby Reflections by John Mucciolo
The 149th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs didn’t disappoint with a huge crowd on hand, a massive viewing audience from afar, and a thrilling race with a great storyline, too.
Kentucky Derby
Catching My Eye: Kentucky Derby Weekend at Churchill Downs
Analyst Kevin Kilroy looks back on the weekend of racing at Churchill Downs, including the 149th Kentucky Derby (G1), the Pat Day Mile (G2), and the Kentucky Oaks (G1) undercard.
Kentucky Derby
Racing Roundtable: 2023 Kentucky Derby weekend
James Scully, Kellie Reilly, and Vance Hanson recap the events of Kentucky Derby weekend in this edition of the Racing Roundtable.
Kentucky Derby
2023 Kentucky Derby: Five Takeaways You Need to Know After Mage's Win in 149th Race
Mage’s victory as a 15-1 chance in Saturday’s 149th running of the Kentucky Derby (G1) will leave plenty of food for thought in the coming days. For the moment, here are five instant takeaways.
Kentucky Derby
2023 Kentucky Derby winner: Mage (15-1) wins the 149th Kentucky Derby
In a thrilling drive to the Churchill Downs finish line, 15-1 longshot Mage fought off all challengers to win the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby (G1) by one length.
Triple Crown
Mage – Kentucky Derby Context
Mage launched an eye-catching, sweeping move past Forte on the far turn of the Florida Derby (G1) to strike the front in upper stretch, eventually winding up second to the odds-on favorite in only his third start.
Kentucky Derby
Tipsheet: 2023 Kentucky Derby
The 149th running of the $3 million Kentucky Derby (G1) is upon us and attracted an overflow field of 23 three-year-olds for the historic 1 1/4-mile contest.
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby International Scouting Report: Mandarin Hero
Mandarin Hero will be the third Japanese runner in Kentucky Derby 149. There are a couple of key differences from compatriots Derma Sotogake and Continuar.
Kentucky Derby
Betting Guide: Official Kentucky Derby 149 Betting Guides
In our Meet the Contenders edition, we focus on providing insight on each of the horses poised to start in the Kentucky Derby. Download this free betting guide below!
Triple Crown
Top 10 angles to watch in 2023 Kentucky Derby
The 2023 Kentucky Derby (G1) offers several intriguing historical angles. As we settle in to enjoy the 149th Run for the Roses, let’s see which come to pass, and how many are deferred for another year.
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby 2023 odds for betting, contender value
2023 Kentucky Derby odds, betting strategy, cheat sheet
Kentucky Derby
Angel of Empire – Kentucky Derby Context
An off-the-pace runner, Angel of Empire displayed a terrific turn of foot in the Arkansas Derby (G1), surging from sixth to reach the lead by the top of the stretch, and the up-and-coming colt established himself as a serious Kentucky Derby contender while notching his first triple-digit Brisnet Speed rating (101)
Pedigree
Tapit Trice – Kentucky Derby Context
A powerful late runner, Tapit Trice will bring a four-race win streak into the Kentucky Derby, including stakes tallies in the Blue Grass (G1) and Tampa Bay Derby (G3).
Kentucky Derby
Derma Sotogake – Kentucky Derby Context
One of two Japanese horses in the Kentucky Derby field, Derma Sotogake established himself as a contender recording a fast win in the UAE Derby (G2), leading all the way to score by 5 1/2 lengths.
Kentucky Derby
2023 Kentucky Derby Picks: Celebrity Predictions, Winning Experts Give Selections
Due to the race changes, who should you bet in the Kentucky Derby? TwinSpires has expert picks for bets that do not include Forte or scratched horses.
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby jockey profile: James Graham
Jockey James Graham is slated to ride Confidence Game in the 2023 Kentucky Derby (G1), which will mark Graham’s third time competing in the historic 1 1/4-mile classic.
Kentucky Derby
2023 Kentucky Derby live updates, latest news & notes on horses, futures, odds, picks
The Kentucky Derby news & notes offers our complete coverage cultivated in one place! Complete coverage of Kentucky Derby horses, odds, analysis and picks!
Kentucky Derby
Betting the 2023 Kentucky Derby on different budgets
Will history be made in the 2023 Kentucky Derby (G1)? No horse exiting the UAE Derby (G2) has won the 1 1/4-mile Churchill Downs classic, but that can change when #17 Derma Sotogake (10-1) takes on Saturday’s deep Kentucky Derby field.
Kentucky Derby
Handicapping the first Pick 4 on Kentucky Derby Day
The first Pick 4 offering on the Kentucky Derby Day program runs from races 2 through 5, encompassing two overnight events and two graded stakes.
Kentucky Derby
Hanson: 2023 Kentucky Derby Day undercard dirt spot plays
Kentucky Derby Day at Churchill Downs kicks off at 10:30 a.m. ET on Saturday and concludes some 10 hours and 14 races later.
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby: Betting the $106,142 mandatory-payout Pick 6
At Churchill Downs, Saturday’s all-stakes Pick 6 sequence ending with the Kentucky Derby (G1) features a $106,142 carryover slated for mandatory payout.
Kentucky Derby
2023 Kentucky Derby: Weather forecast, the chance of rain for the day of the race
2023 Kentucky Derby: Weather forecast, chance of rain for the day of the race
Kentucky Derby
2023 Kentucky Derby by the numbers
Below we look ahead to the latest edition of the Run for the Roses with these fast facts and figures related to the 2023 Kentucky Derby field, along with the history of the most exciting two minutes in sports.
Kentucky Derby
How to bet the All Three-Year-Old Pick 3 on Kentucky Derby Day
On Saturday, May 6, Churchill Downs will offer a special All Three-Year-Old Pick 3 covering the Pat Day Mile (G2) in Race 8, the American Turf (G2) in Race 9, and the Kentucky Derby (G1) in Race 12.
Kentucky Derby
Can Artificial Intelligence, ChatGPT, Predict the Kentucky Derby winner?
With the advancement of artificial intelligence, we decided to test out the theory that A.I. could forecast the outcome of the Kentucky Derby. Thank you ChatGPT!
Kentucky Derby
How Keeler Johnson will play the 2023 Kentucky Derby
Less than 48 hours removed from the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs, I’ve settled on one of the main bets I plan to play.
Kentucky Derby
Hanson: How I will bet the 2023 Kentucky Derby
A busy day of developments on Thursday resulted in three defections from the main body of the Kentucky Derby (G1) field, and now all three also-eligibles have made the race.
Kentucky Derby
More named Future Wager options get 2023 Kentucky Derby starts
With the Kentucky Derby (G1) just one day away, it’s worth a look to see how the Future Wager pools are set to play out, and how that might impact betting strategies for the big race.
Kentucky Derby
The biggest upsets in Kentucky Derby history
From Donerail in 1913 to Country House in 2019, we rank the five most shocking upsets in Kentucky Derby history.
Kentucky Derby
Who was the biggest underdog ever to win the Kentucky Derby?
Most recent underdogs weren’t facing an overwhelming favorite or toppling a budding superstar or two. In fact, many underdog winners can be judged less on how much they paid, but by who they beat.
Kentucky Derby
2023 Kentucky Oaks odds, predictions, contenders, horses
The 2023 Kentucky Oaks morning line odds, expert picks, predictions, contender information, and horses to know
Kentucky Derby
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast May 5, 2023
It's a special Friday show with Jason sharing some old Kentucky Derby (G1) stories and memories.
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby jockey profile: Kazushi Kimura
Kazushi Kimura has enjoyed abundant success riding in the United States and Canada. The young jockey from Hokkaido, Japan has repeatedly won acclaim, not to mention hundreds of races.
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby jockey profile: Juan Hernandez
One of the hottest up-and-coming jockeys in the nation is Juan Hernandez, who is slated to make his Kentucky Derby (G1) debut aboard Skinner.
Kentucky Derby
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast May 4, 2023
Jason welcomes in TwinSpires' own Darin Zoccali to the show to talk about all of the contenders in Saturday's Kentucky Derby.
Kentucky Derby
Jason Beem's Thursday Column for May 4, 2023
Jason gives his picks for the Kentucky Derby (G1) and Kentucky Oaks (G1) at Churchill Downs.
Kentucky Derby
Betting with, and against, Forte in the Kentucky Derby
The historic contest attracted a fantastic field full of excellent contenders for this edition of the tilt, but the clear one to beat is Champion #15 Forte (3-1) for conditioner Todd Pletcher.
Triple Crown
Catching My Eye: Mornings with the Kentucky Derby and Oaks Runners
Working on the Kentucky Derby notes team, I’ve been on the backside from the opening set at 5:15 a.m. until the final gallop at 10:00 a.m. every day for the last week.
Triple Crown
The best longshot to bet in the 2023 Kentucky Derby
Thinking far outside the box paid off handsomely in the 2022 Kentucky Derby (G1), as Rich Strike delivered the biggest upset in the modern history of the race by returning $163.60 to win.
Kentucky Derby
Brisnet Speed Rating Report for 2023 Kentucky Derby
Brisnet Speed ratings provide a measure of how fast horses have run in their preceding races and serve as a valuable handicapping tool for Saturday’s 149th running of the $3 million Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs
Kentucky Derby
Hanson: 2023 Kentucky Derby Day undercard turf spot plays
The turf action on Saturday's Kentucky Derby Day card at Churchill Downs will be restricted to graded stakes quality runners, with most if not all of the four races looking highly competitive on paper.
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: King Russell
One start after securing his initial victory, King Russell finished second in the Arkansas Derby (G1) to emerge as a contender for the 2023 Kentucky Derby (G1).
Triple Crown
Dosage Index, foaling dates for 2023 Kentucky Derby contenders
There are other data points, long predating a horse’s racing career, that some Kentucky Derby handicappers take into account – foaling date and the Dosage Index.
Pedigree
2023 Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks fields and ML odds
Forte has been installed as the 3-1 morning line favorite for Saturday's $3 million Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs.
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby jockey profile: Jareth Loveberry
Jockey Jareth Loveberry has been riding since 2005, winning more than 1,750 races from over 12,800 mounts. Now he's slated to ride in the Kentucky Derby aboard Two Phil's.
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby jockey profile: Ryusei Sakai
One of the younger jockeys slated to ride in the 2023 Kentucky Derby (G1) is Ryusei Sakai. He's traveling from Japan to guide Continuar in the Run for the Roses.
Kentucky Derby
Reviewing the final workouts of Kentucky Derby contenders
As of Monday morning, with just hours remaining until the Kentucky Derby (G1) post position draw, the majority of the Derby contenders have completed their final pre-race workouts.
Triple Crown
Cyclone Mischief – Kentucky Derby Context
Cyclone Mischief will be expected to show speed if he makes the Kentucky Derby field. Last seen finishing third in the Florida Derby (G1), the bay colt still needs a defection in the days leading up to the post position draw on May 1
Kentucky Derby
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem May 1, 2023
Jason discusses some Kentucky Derby upset thoughts and looks ahead to the upcoming week.
Kentucky Derby
How to think about the post position factor in Kentucky Derby handicapping
Whether a post is good or bad is generally dependent on who occupies it and/or what their running style is, while many times events simply overtake any advantages or disadvantages related to it away.
Kentucky Derby
Continuar – Kentucky Derby Context
An expected deep closer, Continuar will seek to improve upon a late-running third in the UAE Derby (G2) when he starts in the Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs.
Kentucky Derby
Skinner – Kentucky Derby Context
A late runner, Skinner enters the Kentucky Derby on the upswing for a Kentucky Derby-winning trainer.
Kentucky Derby
2023 Kentucky Derby jockey profile: Ramon Vazquez
Jockey Ramon Vazquez has come a long way since starting his riding career in Puerto Rico in 2002.
Kentucky Derby
2023 Kentucky Derby jockey profile: Christophe Lemaire
The career of globetrotting jockey Christophe Lemaire can be divided into two halves, both stacked with success in major races.
Kentucky Derby
How Kentucky Derby Future Wager backers might be feeling
With the Kentucky Derby (G1) rapidly approaching, many bettors are curious to know if they did the right thing with their respective future wager plays. A total of six pools were offered in advance of the Run for the Roses on May 6, and below is where things currently stand for the early punters.
Triple Crown
Kentucky Derby scratches that changed history
While a comprehensive list of Kentucky Derby scratches since 1875 is not possible, these four withdrawals perhaps were the most significant.
Triple Crown
Wild On Ice – Kentucky Derby Context
Wild On Ice earned the qualifying points for a Kentucky Derby bid when recording a 35-1 upset in the Sunland Derby (G3) in late March, rallying from just off the pace to win going away by 1 1/4 lengths.
Kentucky Derby
Analyzing 30 years of Kentucky Derby pace fractions
Once upon a time, the Kentucky Derby was a race in which any running style could regularly succeed. But times have changed.
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby 2025
Kentucky Derby information
Learn about the 2025 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
- 2025 Purse: $5 million
- 2025 Race Date: Saturday, May 3rd
Kentucky Derby Contenders: Updated Oct. 7, 2024 | 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