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Kentucky Derby Central

A guide to learning about the Kentucky Derby online

By , About.com Guide

The Kentucky Derby is held every year on the first Saturday in May at Churchill Downs in Louisiville, Kentucky. This is the horse race every owner, trainer, and jockey dream of winning and the one race even people who are not horse racing fans watch and follow. Only 3-year-old thoroughbreds can run in the Derby, so each only has one chance at it in his lifetime. Many dream of the roses, but only one horse will wear them out of the thousands born each year.

2013 Kentucky Derby Entries

Kentucky Derby starting gate© Cindy Pierson Dulay

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.

More info:

  • Kentucky Derby Entries - a field of 20 plus an also-eligible was entered
  • Kentucky Oaks Entries - a field of 11 will go
  • Analyzing the Triple Crown Contenders - My annual analysis of the top contenders to try and select a winner by matching each to the profile of a Kentucky Derby winner using many of the more popular angles and statistical trends.
  • Free Past Performances - for both the Kentucky Derby and Oaks
  • Daily Barn Notes - for the Derby and Oaks
  • Road to the Kentucky Derby Points List - determines who makes the Derby field
  • Experimental Free Handicap - Ranks the top 2-year-olds of 2012 and helps determine who the dual qualifiers are for the Derby
  • Derby winner auction prices - lower is better
  • The Triple Crown Trail

    Street Sense wins the 2007 Kentucky Derby© Cindy Pierson Dulay

    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.

    More info:

    Kentucky Derby Future Wager

    Kentucky Derby Tote Board© Cindy Pierson Dulay

    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 February, early March, and late March, 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!

    More info:

  • 2013 Future Wager dates and details
  • Future Wager official site
  • Future Wager rules
  • Handicapping

    Ladies in hats handicapping the Derby© Cindy Pierson Dulay

    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!

    More info:

  • Analyzing the Triple Crown Contenders - My annual analysis of the top contenders to try and select a winner by matching each to the profile of a Kentucky Derby winner using many of the more popular angles and statistical trends.
  • Free Past Performances - for both the Kentucky Derby and Oaks
  • Handicapping the Derby
  • Review: Triple Crown Handicapper 2013 by Jim Mazur
  • Review: Betting the Kentucky Derby by Dean Keppler
  • Theories On Picking The Derby Winner - lots of angles
  • Derby Betting - handicapping tips
  • Why not play the contrarian on Derby Day?
  • Derby History

    Kentucky Derby History© Cindy Pierson Dulay

    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.

    More info:

  • Past Derby Winners
  • Past Kentucky Derby articles and photos (1997 - 2008)
  • The Best Derby Winners
  • 10 Fastest Runnings
  • Fillies in the Derby
  • 10 Biggest Longshots
  • Derby Winners and Public Auction Prices - expensive is definitely not better!
  • Best Derby Jockeys
  • Best Derby Trainers
  • Worst Derby Trainers
  • African-Americans in the Derby
  • Review: Churchill Downs: America's Most Historic Racetrack
  • Review: Kentucky Derby Greatest Moments DVD
  • Traditions

    Monarchos in the winner's circle with his roses© Cindy Pierson Dulay

    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:

  • The Rose Garland
  • The Trophy
  • The Twin Spires
  • The Mint Julep
  • Singing "My Old Kentucky Home"
  • Derby Hats
  • Celebrities at the Derby
  • Collecting Derby Glasses
  • Kentucky Derby Barbie
  • Kentucky Derby 101

    Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby© Cindy Pierson Dulay

    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.

    More info:

  • New security rules for 2013
  • Kentucky Derby 101
  • Tickets and Seating
  • Louisville Weather Forecasts
  • Derby and Oaks Security
  • Kentucky Derby Links
  • 2012 Kentucky Derby and Oaks Results and Photos

    Super Saver© Cindy Pierson Dulay

    15-1 shot I'll Have Another, who settled in 6th on the outside away from traffic, was moved to the far outside for room by jockey Mario Gutierrez and gained quickly on favorite and pacesetter Bodemeister in the stretch. Inside the 1/16 pole. Bodemeister tired enough for I'll Have Another to run by him to win by 1 1/2 lengths in 2:01.83. Dullahan rallied strongly from 11th to finish 3rd.

  • Kentucky Derby results and photo
  • Kentucky Oaks results and photos
  • Wednesday Derby Photos
  • Thursday Derby Photos
  • Derby undercard stakes results and photos
  • Oaks undercard stakes results and photos
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