2012 Kentucky Derby

We are just under 2 months away from the 138th running of the Kentucky Derby on May 5th 2012.

Here is one of the early favorites, Hansen.  Here he wins the 2012 Gotham Stakes on Saturday March 3rd.

Top 5

This week's Top 5 comes courtesy of the Clever Movies website and their Top 5 Horse Movies.

Top 5

Our Top 5 this time around covers another of my favorites, Horse racing and the Kentucky Derby.  


Here are the 5 fastest horses to win the Kentucky Derby.

#5 - Decidedly - 1962 2:00.40
This was the son of the 1954 Derby winner Determine.


#4 - Spend a Buck - 1985 2:00.20
1985 Horse of the Year


#3 - Northern Dancer - 1964 2:00
The 3 Year Old Horse of the Year in 1964 and considered one of the greatest sires in the history of thoroughbred racing.  He is an ancestor of all the Triple Crown winners of 2009 (Mine That Bird, Rachel Alexandra and Summer Bird).


#2 - Monarchos - 2001 1:59.97
Only the 2nd (and to date last) horse to ever break the 2 minute barrier in the Derby



#1 - Secretariat - 1973 1:59.40
Considered by many the greatest race horse of all time and the first horse to break the 2 minute barrier at the Derby.  He went on to win the Preakness and Belmont for 1973 making him the first horse since 1948 to win the Triple Crown.

Horse Racing Update

Lets get caught up on the latest horse racing.

We had the 2011 Belmont Stakes from New York this last Saturday and it was upset city as Ruler on Ice shocked the crowd and took home the 3rd leg of the Triple Crown.   Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom had a near mishap as he almost fell coming out of the starting gate and used up all his energy just getting back to the pack as they entered the turn for home but did manage a 4th place finish.   The 2011 Preakness winner Shackleford held the lead for most of the race but completely gave up about 100 yards from the wire and Ruler on Ice shot past him like he was standing still.



2 weeks ago was the 2nd leg of the British Triple crown and the biggest race in the UK, The Epsom Derby. The winner of the first leg of the British Triple Crown, Frankel, opted out of the Derby this year leaving it wide open.
This was a close finish as Pour Moi, the french entry snuck it at the wire.

WATCH THE RACE HERE.

Kentucky Derby - 2011

Here is this years great Kentucky Derby (the 137th) which was won by Animal Kingdom.

Kentucky Derby - 1968

The 1968 race was won by Dancer's Image (pictured above) but he was disqualified to last place after traces of phenylbutazone were discovered in the mandatory post-race urinalysis.  Phenylbutazone is a drug that was commonly give to relieve inflammation in the horse's joints.  It is legal at many tracks but not at Churchill Downs.  A post race appeal was filed and the race awarded to 2nd place finisher Forward Pass.

here is a video from the author of the recent book : 

Dancer's Image: The Forgotten Story of the 1968 Kentucky Derby 

Here is a montage of Kentucky Derby Winners from 1968 (Dancer's Image) to 1986 (Ferdinand)

In Case You Missed It

As you know this coming Saturday May 7th is the Kentucky Derby, the first leg of the US Horse racing Triple Crown.  In case you missed yesterday April 30th was the 2000 Guineas, which is the first leg in the British racing triple crown.  Held at the Rowley Mile in New Market England, this is a 1 mile flat track race with no turns and has been held since 1809.
This years winner, Frankel,  won going away is a strong fashion.  Sadly the trainer, Henry Cecil, has said that Frankel is not headed for the 2nd leg, the legendary Epsom Derby, which will Saturday June 4th.

Happy Birthday

Today in 1970 one of, if not the greatest thoroughbred of all time, Secretariat was foaled at Meadow Farm in Virginia.

"Big Red" would win the Triple Crown in 1973 and in the process beat the 2 minute barrier in the Kentucky Derby. and win the Belmont stakes in 2:24, both of which have not been beaten. He was called by other jockeys "a living breathing locomotive" and in the famous Belmont race he was called "a tremendous machine".

Sir Barton

Today in 1919 Sir Barton won the Kentucky Derby, he would go on to win the Preakness and Belmont Stakes that same year and many people didn't realize it but he would become known as the first Triple Crown winner in US horse racing history. There wasn't a "Triple Crown" in 1919, it didnt become know as that until the 1930s, but the 3 biggest and oldest races had never been won in the same year by one horse.

2010 Kentucky Derby Lineup

Yesterday was the draw for starting positions for the 136th running of the Kentucky Derby.

here is how they will start and their jockey. #1 will be the inside post and #20 will come from the outside.

1. Lookin At Lucky (Garrett Gomez)
2. Ice Box (Jose Lezcano)
3. Noble’s Promise (Willie Martinez)
4. Super Saver (Calvin Borel)
5. Line of David (Rafael Bejarano)
6. Stately Victor (Alan Garcia)
7. American Lion (David Flores)
8. Dean’s Kitten (Robby Albarado)
9. Make Music for Me (Joel Rosario)
10. Paddy O’Prado (Kent Desormeaux)
11. Devil May Care (John Velazquez)
12. Conveyance (Martin Garcia)
13. Jackson Bend (Mike Smith)
14. Mission Impazible (Rajiv Maragh)
15. Discreetly Mine (Javier Castellano)
16. Awesome Act (Julien Leparoux)
17. Dublin (Terry Thompson)
18. Backtalk (Miguel Mena)
19. Homeboykris (Ramon Dominguez)
20. Sidney’s Candy (Joe Talamo)