Only a handful of horses have entered the Kentucky Derby (G1) having already joined the millionaire’s club and won the Run for the Roses: Street Sense (2007), California Chrome (2014), American Pharoah (2015), Nyquist (2016) and Authentic (2020).
Overall, a total of 69 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 Derby in 1984.
The record of millionaires in the Kentucky Derby is 69-5-9-8. Take that into consideration in Saturday’s 152nd Derby, when three pre-race millionaires break from the starting gate.
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 three millionaires set to head to the gate – Renegade, Further Ado and Commandment.
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.
