The 134th Kentucky Derby
The Kentucky Derby, also known as the “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports” for its approximate duration, or “The Run for the Roses” for the blanket of roses draped over the winner, began innocuously enough on May 17, 1875, part of the official opening of a new track, Churchill Downs, in Louisville, Kentucky. This race inaugurated the three race series that would later become known as the Triple Crown of Horse Racing.
This year’s lineup of Derby hopefuls:
Adriano, trained by Graham Motion and ridden by Edgar Prado would appear to be better suited to turf or synthetic surface than the dirt.
Anak Nakal, trained by Nick Zito and ridden by Rafael Bejarano has yet to finish better than fifth in his three starts.
Big Brown, trained by Richard Dutrow and ridden by Kent Desormeaux is the likely favorite though only lightly raced due to chronic foot problems.
Big Truck, trained by Barclay Tagg and ridden by Javier Castellano finished eleventh in his previous outing and has only one career graded stakes win.
Bob Black Jack, trained by Jim Kasparoff and ridden by Richard Migliore would appear to be more suited to sprints and has never run on dirt.
Colonel John, trained by Eoin Harty and ridden by Corey Nakatani with two graded stakes wins this year is the leading Southern California contender.
Cool Coal Man, trained by Nick Zito and ridden by Julien Leparoux faded to ninth on Keeneland’s synthetic surface at the Blue Grass but still beat Pyro.
Court Vision, trained by Bill Mott and ridden by Garrett Gomez has two third place graded stakes finishes in 2008 after two graded stakes wins in 2007.
Cowboy Cal, trained by Todd Pletcher and ridden by John Velazquez finished second to stablemate Monba last time out. All his wins have been on the turf.
Denis of Cork, trained by David Carroll and ridden by Calvin Borel finished a disappointing fifth in the Illinois Derby after three previous career wins.
Eight Belles, trained by Larry Jones and ridden by Gabriel Saez has four straight wins in 2008 after a mediocre 2007, but only 3 fillies have ever won here.
Gayego, trained by Paulo Logo and ridden by Mike Smith won the Arkansas Derby in his first race on the dirt; but will the extra 1/8 mile be a problem?
Monba, trained by Todd Pletcher and ridden by Ramon Dominquez returned to form after undergoing arthroscopic throat surgery for a breathing problem.
Pyro, trained by Steve Asmussen and ridden by Shaun Bridgmohan was impressive up to his crushing defeat at the Blue Grass; but was it the polytrack?
Recapturetheglory, trained by Louie J. Roussel III and ridden by E. T. Baird came out of nowhere to win the Illinois Derby after only one prior career win.
Smooth Air, trained by Bennie Stutts Jr. and ridden by Manoel Cruz has never finished worse than third, but has never won beyond seven furlongs.
Tale of Ekati, trained by Barclay Tagg and ridden by Eibar Coa may be returning to form, but some believe him to be more suited to one turn races.
Visionaire, trained by Michael Matz and ridden by Jose Lezcan has never been a favorite, but has finished out of the money only once in his career.
Z Fortune, trained by Steve Asmussen and ridden by Robby Albarado was a leading contender until his fifth place finish at the Rebel Stakes. Was it a fluke?
Z Humor, trained by Bill Mott and ridden by Rene Douglas has been winless in 2008 after a first place dead-heat at last year’s Delta Jackpot.
Kentucky Derby Facts:
The first Kentucky Derby was in 1875 for a purse of $2,850.00 at the Louisville Jockey Club Course, later renamed Churchill Downs. From 1875 to 1895 the races were modeled after the British Epsom Derby and the French Grand Prix de Paris, and run at a mile and a half. In 1896 the race was shortened to its current mile and a quarter.
Aristides, ridden by Oliver Lewis, won the first Kentucky Derby and later that year finished second in the Belmont Stakes.
The Kentucky Derby and Churchill Downs were the creation of Col. Meriwether Lewis Clark, Jr., grandson of William Clark of the Lewis and Clark expedition.
In 1892 Alonzo “Lonnie” Clayton became the youngest rider to win the Kentucky Derby at 15 years of age.
The twin spires atop the homestretch grandstands were added in 1895 and are one of the most recognized structures in sports.
In 1904 the race was won by Elwood, the first Derby starter and winner owned by a woman, Laska Durnell.
In 1915 Regret became the first filly to win the Kentucky Derby.
In 1917 the English bred colt, Omar Khayyam, became the first foreign-bred horse to win the race.
In 1973 the great horse Secretariat set the record time of 1 minute and 59 2/5 seconds for the race at its current distance. He also accomplished something unique in Triple Crown racing; each quarter was faster than the previous!
C Wayne is the Executive Vice President of Picks and Plays, Inc. and a well known author and lecturer on horse racing and internet gaming.
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