Street Sense Stakes (2007), California Chrome (2014), American Pharoah Stakes (2015), Nyquist (2016), and Authentic (2020) are the only horses that entered the Kentucky Derby with at least $1 million in career earnings and won the race.
Overall, a total of 66 millionaires have run in the Kentucky Derby, and 21 were post-time favorites. Millionaires and stablemates Timber Country and Serena’s Song were coupled in 1995. The filly Althea was the first millionaire to contest the Kentucky Derby in 1984.
The record of millionaires in the Kentucky Derby is 66-4-9-8.
Some other notable horses to have contested the Kentucky Derby with millionaire status are champions Storm The Court, Game Winner, Classic Empire, Good Magic, Lookin at Lucky, as well as Tiz the Law, Thunder Snow, Lani, Union Rags, Unbridled’s Song, Arazi, Best Pal, Easy Goer, Snow Chief and Chief’s Crown.
This year, there are four millionaires set to head to the gate – champion Citizen Bull, Tiztastic, Coal Battle, and Sandman.
The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.
