Kentucky Derby Central

Only 20 horses can start in the Kentucky Derby, but around 400 will be nominated for it every year. The top 2-year-olds from the previous season will always be favored at the beginning of the year, but as the prep races are run the list will change as horses improve or drop out for various reasons.

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Every spring the 3-year-old thoroughbreds start their campaigns hoping to make it to the Kentucky Derby on the first Saturday in May. Racing fans watch and wonder which prep race will yield the Derby winner as the horses compete on the Triple Crown trail at race tracks from coast-to-coast.

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• 2012 Triple Crown Trail - a schedule of all the prep races with results posted weekly
• Derby Prep Races Stats and History - includes all Derby winners from 1950-2008 and where they finished in each prep
• Path to the Kentucky Derby - which preps have produced the most Derby starters and where winners made their final prep

As if picking a winner on Derby day wasn't hard enough, since 1999 there has been a Future Wager offered so you can try to pick a winner months in advance! Offered in Feb, Mar, and Apr, it has 23 horses plus a field of all other 3-year-olds for 24 betting interests in each pool. If your horse doesn't run in the Derby, you lose. If he wins, you get the odds the Future Wager closed at regardless of his odds on Derby day. Now they even have a Future Exacta!

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This is the most over-analyzed race ever, so there are dozens of angles for picking a winner. It almost seems like you could roll dice to come with a winner and have just about as much luck. Here are some articles and books that may help you with your selections, or may just make you even more confused!

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The Kentucky Derby was first run in 1875 and will have its 135th running this year. Many of the greatest thoroughbreds of all time have won the Derby and it is the race all horsemen dream of winning. Find out more about the rich history of the Run for the Roses.

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There are many traditions associated with the Kentucky Derby from the blanket of roses to mint juleps. Attending the Derby is more than just watching a race. It is being immersed in a culture that is undeniably unique. Women in fancy hats, celebrities making appearances, dressing up (either fancy or fanatical,) sipping a mint julep, eating burgoo and their trademarked pie, going to the backside for morning workouts, or getting rowdy in the infield are all part of the atmosphere at Churchill Downs.

Derby Traditions:

An overview of the Kentucky Derby from history to handicapping to how to attend. Perfect for beginners who want to start their education in all things Derby.

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21-1 Animal Kingdom, who was 12th early, came out 6 wide into the lane under new jockey John Velazquez, and closed on the leaders easily passing them at the 1/16 pole. He drew off late to win by 2 3/4 lengths in 2:02.04 over the fast track. Mucho Macho Man put in a rally from 8th but Nehro held him off by a neck to save second place money. The day before, Plum Pretty held off the late rally of St. John's River to win the Kentucky Oaks by a neck in a time of 1:49.50.