Derby Prep Reviews

Kentucky Derby

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 18:51:20 -0500

Withers

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 18:51:16 -0500

Patterned after England's classic Two Thousand Guineas, the Withers S. (G3) has been won by many legendary runners in its history, which dates from 1874. Its influence as a Derby prep has been slim, however, as the race was often run after the Kentucky Derby, on the same day or, as is the case now, just a week prior.

Derby Trial

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 18:51:13 -0500

The traditonal opening day feature of the Churchill Downs spring meet, the Derby Trial (G3) was previously run in the middle of Kentucky Derby week, just days prior to the big race.

Lexington

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 18:51:10 -0500

One of the youngest Kentucky Derby preps, the Lexington S. (G2) dates back to only 1984. It has developed its own rich history, however, yielding Derby winners Swale (1984) and Charismatic (1999), as well as runners-up Forty Niner (1987) and Proud Citizen (2002).

Blue Grass

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 18:47:27 -0500

Contested for many years just nine days prior to the Run for the Roses, the Blue Grass was moved to a date three weeks before the Derby in 1989. Since the switch, Derby winners Unbridled (1990), Strike the Gold (1992), Sea Hero (1993), Thunder Gulch (1995) and Street Sense (2007) all used this nine-furlong race as their final prep.

Arkansas Derby

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 18:47:30 -0500

The Arkansas Derby (G2) dates to 1936, but has only developed into a major Kentucky Derby prep in the past three decades. Sunny's Halo (1983), Lil E. Tee (1992), Grindstone (1996) and Smarty Jones (2004) finished either first or second here prior to wearing the roses.

Santa Anita Derby

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 18:41:28 -0500

California's premier Derby prep, the Santa Anita Derby (G1) has yielded numerous winners of the Run for the Roses. Hill Gail (1952), Determine (1954), Swaps (1955), Lucky Debonair (1965), Majestic Prince (1969), Affirmed (1978), Winning Colors (1988) and Sunday Silence (1989) all parlayed victories here into success at Churchill Downs.

Wood Memorial

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 18:47:18 -0500

Contested two weeks prior to the Kentucky Derby for many years, this historic nine-furlong feature has found a home four weeks out from America's first classic in recent seasons.

Illinois Derby

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 18:47:26 -0500

The Illinois Derby (G2) has a relatively short history as a Kentucky Derby prep. For many years, it was contested in the week between the Derby and Preakness (G1) as an alternative for those three-year-olds not quite ready for prime time.

Bay Shore

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 18:47:36 -0500

Formerly used as a prep for the Gotham S. (G3) and Wood Memorial S. (G1), the Bay Shore is no longer considered a legitimate Kentucky Derby prep due to its late date and short distance. When it was contested prior to the aforementioned races, it was won by eventual Derby winners Secretariat (1973) and Bold Forbes (1976).

Sunland Derby

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 18:41:26 -0500

This rich event remains ungraded and thus no money made here can be applied toward making the field for the Kentucky Derby. That reason, along with its relatively late date, will likely preclude it from being a significant prep for the Run for the Roses.

Florida Derby

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 18:36:24 -0500

For more than 50 years, the Florida Derby has been one of the most important Kentucky Derby preps. A book could be written recalling all of its famous participants, but a brief listing of Derby winners who won or placed in this race should give one a general idea about the race's significance.

UAE Derby

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 18:41:25 -0500

Created to give Dubai-based three-year-olds an opportunity to prep for the Kentucky Derby, this about nine-furlong feature has frequently descended into either an intramural battle between Godolphin Stable colorbearers or been won by South American-based runners ineligible to the Kentucky Derby.

Swale

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 18:41:20 -0500

Named for the 1984 champion three-year-old colt who provided legendary Claiborne Farm with its first Kentucky Derby score, the Swale in its early years showcased such talents as Chief's Crown, Easy Goer and Summer Squall, all of whom would go on to place in the Run for the Roses at short odds.

San Miguel

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 18:41:23 -0500

A short one-turn dash, the San Miguel has been relatively insignificant as a Derby prep since being moved to later in the Santa Anita meet. When it was the first in a series of races leading up to the Santa Anita Derby, the San Miguel did produce Bold Forbes, who finished second here prior to taking the Kentucky Derby and Belmont S. in 1976.

Lane's End

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 18:36:23 -0500

Run under various sponsorship names throughout its history, this race was originally known as the Spiral. Lil E.

Rushaway

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 18:36:21 -0500

This race has traditionally had little long-term impact on the Kentucky Derby as it's contested on the undercard of the more lucrative Lane's End S., which also has the advantage of being graded.

Kempton Challenge

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 18:36:19 -0500

This will be the inaugural running of the Kempton Derby Challenge, which will be contested at nine furlongs over Polytrack at Kempton Park in England. The winner is guaranteed a spot in the starting gate at the Kentucky Derby.

Louisiana Derby

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 18:26:42 -0500

Following a seven-decade drought, the Louisiana Derby finally produced a winner of the Kentucky Derby in 1996 when Grindstone prevailed in both races, the first to do since Black Gold triumphed in both back in 1924.

San Felipe

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 18:26:46 -0500

The traditional final prep for the Santa Anita Derby, this race has produced a number of winners of both that race and the Kentucky Derby.

Rebel

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 18:36:15 -0500

As the Arkansas Derby has risen in prestige in the past three decades so has this race, its traditional final prep.

Tampa Bay Derby

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 18:26:44 -0500

A dearth of 1 1/16-mile preps in Florida, along with substantial purse increases in recent years, has resulted in the elevation of this race as a significant stepping stone toward the Run for the Roses. In 2007, juvenile champion Street Sense scored a narrow win over Any Given Saturday before romping in the Kentucky Derby.

Gotham

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 18:26:40 -0500

Won by racing greats such as Native Dancer, Dr. Fager, Secretariat and Easy Goer, this prelude to the Wood Memorial has lost some of its significance in recent years, particularly since moving forward to a March date and being switched to Aqueduct's inner dirt.

Fountain of Youth

Tue, 09 Dec 2008 18:26:37 -0500

Sham

Sat, 03 Jan 2009 00:35:51 -0500

John Battaglia Memorial

kellie.reilly — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 15:30:51 -0500

Borderland Derby

kellie.reilly — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 15:36:33 -0500

Turf Paradise Derby

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 18:23:13 -0500

With its relatively low purse and ungraded status, the Turf Paradise Derby has not developed into a significant prep for the Kentucky Derby, though it does often produce a starter or two for more lucrative preps run at Santa Anita and elsewhere.

Southwest

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 18:23:18 -0500

San Vicente

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 18:23:19 -0500

Sam F. Davis

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 18:23:15 -0500

El Camino Real

jeremyb — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 22:56:28 -0500

Robert B Lewis

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 18:19:05 -0500

Run for many years as the Santa Catalina S., often as a restricted stakes, this race has nonetheless produced such notables as 1986 Kentucky Derby winner Ferdinand as well as Sham, who chased Secretariat to no avail in all three legs of the 1973 Triple Crown.

Risen Star

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 18:19:08 -0500

Originally known as the Louisiana Derby Trial, the race was re-named in honor of its 1988 winner and eventual champion three-year-old who swept the Preakness S. and Belmont S. after a tough-luck third in the Run for the Roses.

Whirlaway

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 18:19:27 -0500

Named in honor of Calumet Farm's 1941 Triple Crown winner and two-time Horse of the Year, the Whirlaway was the traditional three-year-old highlight of Aqueduct's inner track meet before the season was extended into late March and the more historic Gotham was moved from the main track.

Holy Bull

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 18:18:48 -0500

Reverting this year to a date prior to the Florida Derby, the nine-furlong Holy Bull has the potential to make a significent impact on the outcome of this year's Kentucky Derby.

Hutcheson

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 18:16:07 -0500

Won in the past by Kentucky Derby winners Spectacular Bid and Swale, the Hutcheson has had a lesser long-term impact on the Run for the Roses over the past decade as most of its winners later proved to be sprint or mile specialists. As recent as the 1990s, however, Derby candidates Fly So Free, Holy Bull, Unbridled's Song and Cat Thief all won or placed in the Hutcheson.

Smarty Jones

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 17:57:58 -0500

This is the 2nd running of the Smarty Jones, named in honor of the 2004 Kentucky Derby winner who swept Oaklawn Park's Southwest S., Rebel S. and Arkansas Derby en route to glory in the Run for the Roses.

San Rafael

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 17:44:11 -0500

A fixture on Santa Anita's prep calendar for more than three decades, the San Rafael has yielded a slew of prominent winners including Precisionist, A.P. Indy, Tabasco Cat, War Chant, Came Home and Brother Derek.

California Derby

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 18:14:59 -0500

The California Derby dates back to 1873, but no winner of the event has gone on to place in the Kentucky Derby since Jaklin Klugman finished third behind the filly Genuine Risk in 1980. However, the most noted winner of the California Derby over the past two decades was a filly -- Pike Place Dancer -- who went on to capture the 1996 Kentucky Oaks for trainer Jerry Hollendorfer.

Pasco

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 01:45:02 -0500

This is the 10th running of the Pasco, a prelude to the more lucrative Sam F. Davis S. and Tampa Bay Derby later in the Tampa Bay Downs meet.

Lecomte

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 01:42:09 -0500

This is the 65th running of the Lecomte, which has been restricted to three-year-olds since 1962. It is the first in a series of two-turn preps at Fair Grounds, the others being the Risen Star S. and Louisiana Derby.

Future Kentucky Derby winner War Emblem finished fifth in the 2002 Lecomte. Hard Spun won the 2007 Lecomte before going on to claim runner-up honors in the Run for the Roses.

Count Fleet

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 01:39:42 -0500

This is the 34th running of the Count Fleet, which is named in honor of the 1943 Kentucky Derby winner. A perfect six-for-six that year, he captured the Preakness S. and Belmont S. to complete a sweep of the Triple Crown. Count Fleet was inducted into the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame in 1961.

Spectacular Bid

Sun, 07 Dec 2008 19:15:05 -0500

This is the 27th running of the Spectacular Bid, which is named in honor of the 1979 Kentucky Derby winner. Regarded as one of the greatest horses of the late 20th century, Spectacular Bid won 26 of 30 career starts. He was enshrined in the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame in 1982.