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Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Geaux Rocket Ride romps for Mandella
Arguably the most impressive three-year-old maiden winner of the weekend was Richard Mandella’s Geaux Rocket Ride, who trounced his Sunday debut sprinting six furlongs at Santa Anita.
Racing
Top trainers on Road to Kentucky Derby and their past Derby history
We take a look at some of the top Derby trainers and their horses to keep an eye on in upcoming Derby preps, as well as how those trainers have fared in past Kentucky Derby races.
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby Report: Instant Coffee bolsters resume in Lecomte win; Cox trio set for Southwest
Launching a last-to-first move on the far turn, Instant Coffee overtook Two Phil’s in midstretch and drew away to a 2 1/2-length victory in Saturday’s Lecomte (G3) at Fair Grounds.
Racing
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Stoutly bred colts Slip Mahoney, First Defender post victories
Sometimes, you look at the pedigree of a young maiden winner and think, “Wow, this horse is bred to run long.”
Racing
Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 3: ‘All others' 2-1, Forte 7-1
Pool 3 of the 2023 Kentucky Derby Future Wager closed Sunday evening with a pretty familiar look at the very top of the market, but notable movers underneath.
Kentucky Derby
Mucciolo's Top Eight Kentucky Derby Prospects for Pool 3
While we are many months and numerous prep races away from solidifying a field for the 2023 Run for the Roses, it is obviously never too early to begin Derby dreaming.
Kentucky Derby
Instant Coffee winning the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) at Churchill Downs (Photo by Coady Photography)
Lecomte exotics plays and All-Stakes Late Pick 3 for Fair Grounds Jan. 21
Below we offer exotics plays for the Lecomte Stakes along with a Late Pick 3 ticket covering Races 12-14, which includes the Silverbulletday S. and Louisiana S. (G3).
Wagering
Kentucky Derby Report: Lecomte big test for Instant Coffee
Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) winner Instant Coffee is one of 11 individuals listed for trainer Brad Cox in Pool 3 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager, and his performance in Saturday’s Lecomte (G3) at Fair Grounds will determine his closing odds.
Kentucky Derby
How to play Pool 3 of the 2023 Kentucky Derby Future Wager
Much has changed, and yet little has changed with the betting options for Pool 3 of the 2023 Kentucky Derby Future Wager.
Kentucky Derby
Cox, Pletcher preparing deep rosters for Kentucky Derby qualifiers
Kentucky Derby-winning trainers Brad Cox and Todd Pletcher are in familiar territory at this time of the year, orchestrating plans for a large contingent of prospects.
Kentucky Derby
Forte early individual choice in KDFW Pool 3
The field for Pool 3 of the 2023 Kentucky Derby Future Wager (KDFW) has been announced by Churchill Downs.
Kentucky Derby
Todd Pletcher had a trio of three-year-old maiden winners on Saturday. (NYRA/Coglianese Photography)
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Kingsbarns, Cuvier, Clubhouse win for Pletcher
Two-time Kentucky Derby (G1)-winning trainer Todd Pletcher knows how to prepare a January maiden winner for success on the first Saturday in May.
Kentucky Derby
Instant Coffee winning the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) at Churchill Downs (Photo by Coady Photography)
Bolt d'Oro finishes 2022 as leading first-crop sire, Instant Coffee one to watch
Former graded-stakes winner Bolt d’Oro closed out 2022 atop the first-crop sire rankings based on progeny earnings, with 29 winners from 80 runners, including six stakes winners and three graded stakes heroes.
Pedigree
First-crop sires: Good Magic increases Kentucky Derby prep tally to four
Reincarnate and Dubyuhnell have become the latest sons of Good Magic to win Road to the Kentucky Derby events.
Pedigree
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Reincarnate
Dashing to the lead and refusing to yield proved a successful strategy for Reincarnate in the Sham (G3) at Santa Anita, as the hardy gray colt led all the way to prevail by a neck.
Pedigree
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Willakenzie cruises for Cox
Kentucky Derby (G1)-winning trainer Brad Cox sent out Willakenzie on Thursday at Fair Grounds to win his debut traveling 1 1/8 miles.
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Lugan Knight
You have to admire the tenacity Lugan Knight displayed to win the Jerome S. on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. But does he have the pedigree to handle the Kentucky Derby's testing 1 1/4-mile distance?
Racing
Kentucky Derby Report: Forte brings top credentials to the New Year
The Road to the Kentucky Derby series opened in late September, but the prep season doesn’t get into full swing until the New Year. And the first qualifier of 2023 took place at Oaklawn Park on New Year’s Day, the Smarty Jones.
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Pletcher, Cox, Mott pick up new winners
Kentucky Derby (G1)-winning trainers Todd Pletcher, Brad Cox, and Bill Mott all picked up possible 2023 Derby players when they sent out two-year-olds to win maiden races on New Year’s Eve.
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Victory Formation
After posting two victories sprinting as a juvenile, Victory Formation joined the Road to the Kentucky Derby with a pacesetting triumph in the one-mile Smarty Jones S. at Oaklawn Park.
Racing
Kentucky Derby: 2022 End of Year Stock Take
With all major juvenile racing now complete in 2022, it’s time to take stock of the 2023 Kentucky Derby picture – though it may seem as murky as it’s ever been.
Kentucky Derby
Catching My Eye: Fair Grounds' Road to the Derby Kickoff Day
Three out of the last four Derby winners come through Fair Grounds, and both Epicenter and Rich Strike, the Kentucky Derby 148 exacta, ran in last year’s Gun Runner Stakes.
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Jace's Road
Jace’s Road couldn’t have been much more impressive in the Gun Runner S. on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. But does he have the pedigree to thrive racing 1 1/4 miles in the Kentucky Derby?
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Banishing, Groveland win for Godolphin
Godolphin has never won the Kentucky Derby (G1), but perhaps that will change in 2023. Maiden winners Banishing and Groveland are shaping up as possible Derby players for the world-renowned stable.
Racing
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Tapit Trice shows grit for Pletcher
Two-time Kentucky Derby (G1)-winning trainer Todd Pletcher recently picked up another possible Derby player when Tapit Trice broke his maiden at Aqueduct.
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Wildatlanticstorm
Does Wildatlanticstorm have the pedigree to factor in the Kentucky Derby?
Kentucky Derby
2022 in Review: Bull's 10 Best Races of the year
As of this moment, these are the 10 races I enjoyed watching most in 2022.
Features
Tipsheet: 2022 Springboard Mile Stakes
A talented field of nine juveniles will travel one-mile on the Remington Park dirt in Saturday’s $400,000 Springboard Mile S.
Wagering
Tipsheet: 2022 Los Alamitos Futurity
A compact field of five two-year-olds will travel 1 1/16 miles in Saturday’s $200,000 Los Alamitos Futurity (G2).
Wagering
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Phileas Fogg, Z Resurrection impress at Fair Grounds
What do Country House, Mandaloun, and Rich Strike have in common? They’ve all won the Kentucky Derby (G1) since 2019, and they all did so after competing at Fair Grounds during the winter.
Racing
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Tapit Shoes wins for Cox
Arguably no trainer is heading into 2023 with a deeper group of Kentucky Derby (G1) contenders than Brad Cox.
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Dubyuhnell
Unwavering tenacity carried Dubyuhnell to a hard-fought victory in the Remsen S. (G2) at Aqueduct, but can he stretch out over 1 1/4 miles in the Kentucky Derby (G1)?
Kentucky Derby
Inside the Kentucky Derby - Remsen Stakes Race Preview [PODCAST]
Today’s show Darren and KK preview the historic Remsen Stakes at Aqueduct. This longer race will be a challenge for the field.
Kentucky Derby
Aqueduct: How to bet With, and Against, Zandon in the 2022 Cigar Mile
A total of six horses will go postward in the lucrative $750,000 Cigar Mile H. (G1) on Saturday.
Wagering
Tipsheet: 2022 Remsen Stakes
A total of seven juveniles will run 1 1/8 miles on the Aqueduct main strip in Saturday’s $250,000 Remsen S. (G2).
Kentucky Derby
Instant Coffee winning the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) at Churchill Downs (Photo by Coady Photography)
Racing Roundtable: Stars of Tomorrow II
With the 2022 Churchill Downs fall meet in the books, James Scully, Kellie Reilly, and Vance Hanson look back on the final Saturday's juvenile action in this week's Racing Roundtable.
Features
Inside the Kentucky Derby - Kentucky Jockey Club Recap [PODCAST]
Today’s show Darren and KK recap the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes at Churchill Downs. Instant Coffee was able to grind out a victory after a late rally.
Kentucky Derby
Instant Coffee winning the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) at Churchill Downs (Photo by Coady Photography)
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Instant Coffee
Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) winner Instant Coffee has always had the pedigree to shine as an early-maturing Road to the Kentucky Derby contender.
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Is Casse's Determinedly the next War of Will?
Determinedly, Gun Pilot, and Point Proven impressed during the "Stars of Tomorrow II" program at Churchill Downs.
Kentucky Derby
'All others' favored in KDFW Pool 2, Sire Future Wager
The mutuel field of “All other three-year-old colts and geldings” closed as the 4-5 favorite in Pool 2 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager conducted over Thanksgiving weekend.
Kentucky Derby
An exacta strategy for Pool 2 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager
There are two strategies that look to be worth using for Pool 2 of the 2023 Kentucky Derby Future Wager.
Kentucky Derby
Inside the Kentucky Derby - Kentucky Jockey Club Preview [PODCAST]
Today’s show Darren and KK preview the Kentucky Jockey Club at Churchill Downs. This will be the last Kentucky Derby Prep Race that runs at Churchill Downs.
Kentucky Derby
First-crop sires: Good Magic's Breeders' Cup Juvenile duo in KDFW Pool 2
Although his three Breeders’ Cup runners didn’t crack the trifecta on Future Stars Friday, Good Magic’s terrific start to his stallion career has warranted a stud fee hike.
Features
Forte (left) beats Loggins in the Breeders' Futurity (G1) at Keeneland. (Photo by Coady Photography)
Fields for Pool 2 of 2023 Kentucky Derby Future Wager and Kentucky Derby Sire Future Wager
Pool 2 of the 2023 Kentucky Derby Future Wager (KDFW) and the only Kentucky Derby Sire Future Wager will be offered to racing fans across the country this week.
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Litigate, Classic Catch prevail for Pletcher
The two Kentucky Derby (G1) winners conditioned by Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher employed vastly different routes to reach the Derby. Litigate will try to split the difference.
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Will McGaughey's colt become the Talk of the Nation?
Memories of Shug McGaughey's 2013 Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Orb came to mind when McGaughey unveiled Talk of the Nation at Aqueduct last Friday.
Racing
Kentucky Derby takeaways from the Breeders' Cup Juvenile
What can we take away from the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile as we head toward the Kentucky Derby?
Kentucky Derby
Inside the Kentucky Derby - Breeders' Cup Recap [PODCAST]
Today’s show Darren and KK recap the exciting Breeders’ Cup Juvenile race at Keeneland. Forte pulled ahead for a big win and now the clear points leader on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.
Kentucky Derby
Kilroy previews 2022 Breeders' Cup Classic contenders
There’s only one thing standing in the way of this being the most white-knuckle, adrenaline-pumping, root-worthy Breeders’ Cup Classics of all time. And that’s Flightline.
Breeders Cup
Inside the Kentucky Derby - Breeders' Cup Preview [PODCAST]
Darren and KK preview the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Keeneland. A win in the Breeders’ Cup at Keeneland will vault a horse to the top of the standings.
Kentucky Derby
Pool 1 of Kentucky Derby Future Wager opens Nov. 1 with 40 betting interests
Pool 1 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager opens Nov. 1 with 40 betting interests.
Kentucky Derby
Meet the 2022 Breeders' Cup Juvenile contenders
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson takes a horse-by-horse look at pre-entries for the 2022 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) at Keeneland, exploring the pros and cons of each contender.
Breeders Cup
Breeders' Cup Juvenile trends on the Road to the Kentucky Derby
Below we look at the last nine Juvenile winners, plus where they placed in Road to the Kentucky Derby prep races that followed and how they performed along the Triple Crown trail.
Kentucky Derby
Great Britain & Ireland: Spot plays for October 22
The Futurity Trophy (G1) is an important preview for next season’s Classics and part of the European Road to the 2023 Kentucky Derby series.
International
Santa Anita: How to bet the American Pharoah Stakes
A total of eight juveniles will travel 1 1/16 miles on the Santa Anita dirt in Saturday’s $300,000 American Pharoah S. (G1). The Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” tilt will be led by four entrants from the mighty Bob Baffert barn.
Kentucky Derby
Keeneland: How to bet the Breeders' Futurity
An overflow field of 16 two-year-olds will vie in Saturday’s $600,000 Breeders’ Futurity S. (G1) at Keeneland.
Kentucky Derby
First-crop sires: Good Magic's Blazing Sevens, Curly Jack win on Road to Kentucky Derby
By siring the winners of the first two scoring races on the main Road to the Kentucky Derby, Good Magic has surged to the lead in the freshman sire standings.
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Blazing Sevens
It’s no wonder why Blazing Sevens has enjoyed success running long on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. The stretch-running Champagne S. (G1) winner has a strong pedigree for handling classic distances.
Kentucky Derby
How to bet the 2022 Lukas Classic Stakes
A compact, but accomplished, field of six will vie in Saturday’s $500,000 Lukas Classic S. (G2) at Churchill Downs on Saturday.
Wagering
How to bet the 2022 Champagne Stakes
A field of six juveniles will travel one-mile on the Aqueduct main surface in Saturday’s $500,000 Champagne S.
Wagering
How to play the opening European Derby Road features
A week after the Iroquois (G3) began the main Road to the 2023 Kentucky Derby, the European series begins this weekend. Two well-established juvenile features, one each in Ireland and England, begin the seven-race series.
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Curly Jack
In 2018, reigning champion two-year-old male Good Magic ran a gallant second in the Kentucky Derby (G1). Perhaps Good Magic’s son Curly Jack can go one better in 2023.
Racing
First-crop sires: Good Magic's Vegas Magic eyes Del Mar Debutante
Since our initial profile of Good Magic in the freshman sires series, three of his early winners have furnished stakes updates, and several others are on the radar.
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Rich Strike
Once in a while, a Kentucky Derby (G1) contender comes along with a pedigree seemingly perfect for racing 1 1/4 miles on dirt. Such is the case with Rich Strike.
Kentucky Derby
First-crop sires: Girvin attracts attention
Represented by a pair of juvenile stakes winners, most notably 3 1/4-length Saratoga Special (G2) winner Damon’s Mound, Girvin is off to a fast start from his first crop.
Racing
First-Crop Sires: Expectations High For Mendelssohn
TwinSpires Edge voters have made it clear: they’d like Mendelssohn to be one of the first-crop sires that we focus on in 2022.
Features
First-Crop Sires 2022: Bolt d'Oro babies blossoming quickly
Bred in Kentucky by WinStar Farm and foaled in March 2015, Bolt d’Oro got off to a fast start as a two-year-old.
Features
First-Crop Sires 2022: Justify Makes a Bright Start
Writing the stallion marketing script for Justify’s first season in 2019 wouldn’t have been the toughest task in Thoroughbred breeding.
Features
First-crop sires: Good Magic has Hopeful candidate in Blazing Sevens
Good Magic checks multiple boxes for stud appeal. A $1 million yearling, by a Hall of Famer and from a productive family, he developed into a champion juvenile and Grade 1-winning classic performer at three.
Pedigree
Introducing the First-Crop Sires Series 2022: Choose a Sire for us to Follow
TwinSpires is bringing back the First-Crop Sires Series for 2022. Last year's series included Gun Runner and Arrogate, and this season, Justify tops our list to follow closely.
Pedigree
Saratoga: How to bet the 2022 Jim Dandy Stakes
A compact, but fantastic, field of four three-year-olds will go postward in the $600,000 Jim Dandy S. (G2) at Saratoga on Saturday.
Racing
Betting with, and against, Mandaloun in the Stephen Foster Stakes
A fantastic field of seven will travel 1 1/8 miles on the Churchill Downs main surface in Saturday’s lucrative $750,000 Stephen Foster S.
Racing
2022 Triple Crown Schedule: key dates, TV schedule and live stream
The 2022 Triple Crown, comprised of the Kentucky Derby, Preakness, and Belmont, spans a five-week period from early May through early June. But preparations for the series begin months earlier.
Racing
Important Belmont Stakes facts and figures
We look at some fast facts and figures about the Belmont Stakes, including records for fastest time, largest win margin, victories by a jockey, and the number of fillies who triumphed in the historic race.
Racing
Sire Profile: Gun Runner makes expected mark on Triple Crown
When Gun Runner made an impact in 2021 like few first-crop sires ever do, it seemed inevitable that his progeny would be serious players in the 2022 Triple Crown series.
Racing
How beaten Kentucky Derby favorites have fared as Preakness favorites
A post-World War II history of beaten Kentucky Derby favorites who were also the post-time favorite in the Preakness.
Racing
How Kentucky Derby longshot winners finish in the Preakness
We look at 10 of the longest shots to win the Kentucky Derby and how they fared in the Preakness Stakes, the second jewel of the Triple Crown.
Racing
TwinSpires user wins nearly $750,000 on Kentucky Derby Super High 5
One lucky Ashland, Kentucky native celebrated a monumental win on the Kentucky Derby Super High 5 that paid nearly $750,000.
Racing
Racing Roundtable: Kentucky Derby wrap-up
After a memorable weekend at Churchill Downs, highlighted by a stunning upset in the Kentucky Derby (G1), the TwinSpires.com jury is back to recap all that went on.
Racing
Keen Ice stamina comes to fore with Rich Strike
With the Kentucky Derby triumph, Calumet Farm will be full of enthusiasm about Keen Ice’s stallion prospects.
Racing
From claim to fame, Rich Strike springs 80-1 Kentucky Derby upset
Sent off as the longest shot in the field at odds of 80-1, Rich Strike outran all expectations to post a stunning upset in Saturday’s 148th Kentucky Derby (G1).
Racing
Tipsheet: Kentucky Derby 2022
The field is set for the 148th running of the $3 million Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs on Saturday.
Racing
Bet Kentucky Derby 148 with experts, celebrities and influencers!
Bet Kentucky Derby 148 with celebrities and influencers!
Racing
Betting the 2022 Kentucky Derby on different budgets
Speed. It’s been the dominant factor in recent editions of the $3 million Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs. But will Saturday’s renewal of the historic race produce a different outcome?
Racing
The Jury: Bets and fades for Kentucky Derby Day
The TwinSpires Jury is ready to put their opinions to the test on the biggest wagering day of the year.
Kentucky Derby
Hanson: Wagering strategy for Kentucky Derby Day
The primary plays on the afternoon will be in the Kentucky Derby itself, the Pick 4 that ends in the Derby, and a win play earlier on the card.
Racing
2022 Kentucky Derby Exotics Wagers
The 148th running of the Kentucky Derby (G1) looks like an excellent wagering opportunity, as it often does, with a wide-open field going postward at Churchill Downs on Saturday. I have a top-three for the race and will construct some plays with the trio being prominent at the finish.
Racing
How to make money with Zandon in the Kentucky Derby
The Chad Brown-conditioned #10 Zandon (3-1) has been installed as the morning line favorite for the 148th running of the $3 million Kentucky Derby (G1).
Racing
Kentucky Derby Betting Guide 148
Tipsheets, top picks, At a Glance reports from our authoritative handicappers, free for you!
Racing
Churchill Downs: How to bet the mandatory-payout $89,819 Derby City 6 carryover
Kentucky Derby (G1) day at Churchill Downs just got even better for bettors. The 20-cent Derby City 6 boasts an $89,819 carryover, and it’s slated for a mandatory dispersal on Saturday afternoon.
Racing
Kentucky Derby bets with an Epicenter
Considering form and the likely race pattern, I keep coming back to one horse that’s shown it all: Epicenter.
Racing
Tiz the Bomb: Kentucky Derby contender profile
Tiz the Bomb secured his Kentucky Derby berth by recording a convincing win in the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) at Turfway Park, registering top-notch 101 Brisnet Speed and 105 Late Pace ratings for the 2 1/4-length decision.
Racing
Simplification: Kentucky Derby contender profile
The bay Florida-bred colt settled nicely from off the pace before charging to a convincing win in the Fountain of Youth (G2).
Racing
Tawny Port: Kentucky Derby contender profile
Tawny Port confirmed himself as a Kentucky Derby participant when capturing the April 16 Lexington S. (G3), his first win on a dirt track.
Racing
How Future Wager backers may be feeling
People who bet on the Future Wagers now know whether the odds they got are better value than if they’d made the bets on raceday - if their bets are still alive.
Racing
Pioneer of Medina: Kentucky Derby contender profile
Pioneer of Medina barely made the 20-horse cut for the Kentucky Derby, qualifying by virtue of a fourth in the Risen Star (G2) and a third in the Louisiana Derby (G2) in his first two stakes outings.
Racing
Kilroy: Betting the Kentucky Derby Pick 6
Saturday's mandatory-payout, all-stakes, 20-cent Pick 6 that ends with the Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs is as enticing to bet as it is to watch. Here's how to play the sequence:
Racing
Barber Road: Kentucky Derby contender profile
Barber Road will bring a late kick to the Kentucky Derby, rallying to finish second in the Arkansas Derby (G1), Southwest (G3), and Smarty Jones, and third in the Rebel (G2), all at Oaklawn Park.
Racing
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: | 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
POPULAR ARTICLES
Top trainers on Road to Kentucky Derby and their past Derby history
Kentucky Derby Report: Instant Coffee bolsters resume in Lecomte win; Cox trio set for Southwest
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Stoutly bred colts Slip Mahoney, First Defender post victories
Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 3: ‘All others' 2-1, Forte 7-1
Mucciolo's Top Eight Kentucky Derby Prospects for Pool 3
VIDEOS
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