Fillies in the Kentucky Derby

Trainer Larry Jones has generated much discussion with the late nominations of his two fillies, Eight Belles and Proud Spell, to the 2008 Triple Crown. Proud Spell went to the Kentucky Oaks and won. Eight Belles went to the Kentucky Derby and finished second to Big Brown, but tragically broke both ankles about a quarter mile after the race was finished and had to be euthanized.

Only 39 fillies have Run for the Roses in the 134 runnings of the Kentucky Derby so far. Before Eight Belles in 2008, there had not been any fillies in the Derby since 1999, when Excellent Meeting finished 5th and Three Ring finished last. Sweet Catomine was being pointed to the 2005 Kentucky Derby but was injured and retired before the race. The last female Derby winner was Winning Colors in 1988, with Genuine Risk in 1980 and Regret in 1915 the only others. Lady Navarre was second in 1906 and five others finished third, giving us a total of just nine in-the-money finishers out of 38 starters.

Listed below is every filly that ran in the Derby, her odds to win (* indicates betting favorite), and her finishing position. The two fillies in 1984 were a coupled entry as well as the co-favorites.