After 36 prep races, the 20-horse field for the 150thKentucky Derby (G1) has been set, pending possible withdrawals and late additions prior to the Run for the Roses on May 4.
Old Rosebud
The preps produced blowout victories, thrilling stretch runs, and photo finishes. To mention a few: Fierceness won the Florida Derby (G1) by a record-setting 13 1/2 lengths; Dornoch edged Sierra Leone by a nose in the Remsen Stakes (G2), and Catching Freedom staged a dramatic rally in winning the Louisiana Derby (G2).
Kentucky Derby Margin Records: The Biggest Wins and Closest Finishes
In 149 editions of the Derby, the largest winning margin is eight lengths, accomplished four times, by Old Rosebud in 1914, Johnstown in 1939, Whirlaway in 1941, and Assault in 1948.
Over the past 20 years, the two largest margins of victory are 6 ¾ lengths by 50-1 longshot Mine That Bird in 2009 (over Pioneerof the Nile) and 6 ½ lengths by Barbaro in 2006 (over Bluegrass Cat).
Smallest margins? A nose. Nine times: Spokane in 1889; Azra in 1892; Ben Brush in 1896; Plaudit in 1898; Alan-a-Dale in1902; Brokers Tip in 1933; Iron Liege in 1957; Tomy Lee in 1959; and Grindstone in 1996.
In the 2000s, there were no nose, head or neck winning margins, but a few by the next shortest margin, a half-length — 50-1 Giacomo in 2005 (over Closing Argument) and Medina Spirit (DQ) in 2021 (over official winner Mandaloun).
The Derby has been decided by less than one length 44 times. It has been won by four lengths or more 23 times.
Largest Winning Margins
8 lengths — Old Rosebud 1914, Johnstown 1939, Whirlaway 1941, Assault 1946
6 ¾ lengths — Mine That Bird 2009
Grindstone
6 lengths — Barbaro 2006, Chant 1894, Hoop Jr.
5½ lengths — Spend a Buck 1985
5¼ lengths — Halma 1895
5 lengths — Sir Barton 1919, Bubbling Over 1926, Burgoo King 1932, Dust Commander 1970
4 ¾ lengths — Monarchos 2001, Big Brown 2008
4 ½ lengths — Pensive 1944
4 lengths — Hindoo 1881, Lookout 1893, Wintergreen 1909, Twenty Grand 1931, Count Turf 1951, War Emblem 2002
Smallest winning margins
Nose — Spokane 1889, Azra 1892, Ben Brush 1896, Plaudit 1898, Aan-a-Dale 1902, Brokers Tip 1933, Iron Liege 1957, Tomy Lee 1959, Grindstone 1996
Head — Paul Jones 1920, Behave Yourself 1921, Whiskery 1927, Bold Venture 1936, Jet Pilot 1947, Dark Star 1953, Silver Charm 1997
Neck — Joe Cotton 1885, Typhoon II 1897, Worth 1912, George Smith 1916, Northern Dancer 1964, Lucky Debonair 1965, Majestic Prince 1969, Winning Colors 1988, Charismatic 1999
Half-length — Apollo 1882, Ben Ali 1886, Kingman 1891, Elwood 1904, Donau 1910, Donerail 1913, Black Gold 1924, Tim Tam 1958, Kauai King 1966, Real Quiet 1998, Giacomo 2005, Medina Spirit (DQ) 2021 ½ length.