There are few more famous sporting events on the calendar than the Kentucky Derby. Every May, everyone becomes a betting expert when it comes to horse racing, as anticipation levels increase ahead of one of the world’s most famous races.
The Run for the Roses has been staged annually since May 1875, and it has created some defining images for racing since. The race forms the opening leg of the Triple Crown in the United States, and it is the most-watched and attended race on the schedule. You can find out facts about the world-renowned race here.
Oldest Sporting Event in the U.S.
The Kentucky Derby is the oldest sporting event in the United States, with the Derby and Oaks run in every year since their inception in 1875. Only races during the Second World War in 1945 and the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 have been re-arranged.
Both the Derby and Oaks rank among the oldest sporting events in the United States, as their history is longer than other major events such as the MLB World Series and the Super Bowl. It is also the oldest stakes race run at the same track annually.
You can find more information here: twinspires.com/kentuckyderby/handicapping/
Horses with the Letter ‘S’
If you’re looking for an unusual trend to help make a Derby bet, then it could be noted that 19 previous winners of the race have had names starting with an ‘S’.
The most famous of those was Secretariat in 1973. However, the letter ‘M’ has fared better in recent editions, with three of the last four following this trend, including last year’s victor Mystik Dan for trainer Kenneth McPeek.
Big Fields Not Always the Case
Big fields are synonymous with the Derby in this modern day, with a field of 20 runners likely to take their chance in the race in 2025.
However, that hasn’t always been the case, as the smallest fields for the opening leg of the Triple Crown can be found in the 1982 and 1905 editions, when just three runners went to post.
Triple Crown Winners a Rarity
The Triple Crown series in the United States has the power to capture mainstream attention.
However, victories in the Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes are hard to achieve in the same year. Only 13 runners have won all three races, with Justify becoming the latest name to that list in 2018.
Female History
Diane Crump made history by becoming the first woman to ever take a ride in the Derby, while Shelley Riley became the closest female rider to win the race when finishing second in 1992. That is a piece of history that could be broken in the near future.
Jockey Dominance
Mike Smith is the jockey to have taken the most riders in the Derby, having made his 27th appearance in the race in 2021.
However, his strike-rate isn’t the most successful after recording just two wins. Eddie Arcaro and Bill Hartack are the joint-most successful riders in the race, with the latter landing three wins from just 12 rides.
Inexperienced Contenders
While experience counts for a lot in the Derby, it could also be worth noting that there are many examples of runners that have less runs under their belt before claiming success.
Apollo, Justify and Mage all won the Derby despite having not competed as a two-year-old. Meanwhile, inaugural winner Sir Barton won the Derby, as well as the Triple Crown, despite having failed to record a single win before lining up at Churchill Downs.
Big-Priced Winners
Getting a big winner on Derby day is always the goal for bettors, but the race has seen some huge outsiders claim an upset win.
The biggest priced winner of the Derby remains Donerail at odds of 91/1 in 1913. However, history repeating itself in 2022 when Rich Strike shocked fans of the sport when winning at odds of 80/1.
Dominant Winners
Secretariat remains one of the most famous Derby winners in history, setting a speed record of 1:59.4 when winning the race in 1973.
However, four horses has won the race by staggering eight length margins. Old Rosebud was the first to win by the margin in 1914, before the feat was replicated by Johnstown (1939), Whirlaway (1941), and Assault (1946).
Baffert Aiming for History in 2025
Bob Baffert will be a man in the spotlight when the Derby rolls around this year, as the Hall of Famer is eligible to make entries once again in 2025. Baffert will have his sights set on history this year, as he is currently tied on six with Ben Jones as the most successful trainer in Derby history.
A seventh win in the race in 2025 would see him become the outright most dominant trainer in the history of the Kentucky Derby.
