Kentucky Derby Past Performances and statistical view at the Run for the Roses. Since 1940, a lot of talk has been placed on a Kentucky Derby hopeful’s final start and where they will prep and how well the past performances were. The interest in this annual right of passage for the owners of each horses and for Kentucky Derby handicappers as well grew to a fever pitch when Churchill Downs switched to a statistical and numerical points-driven series, this gave each significant race a certain amount for each result, the most prominent receiving higher numbers. For eight decades, a handful of prep races have stood out among the others as not only producing the most starters overall, but also the most winning bets.
Kentucky Derby 2020 Past Performances based on Preps
Blue Grass Stakes: 18 (2007, Street Sense, second)
Wood Memorial Stakes: 14 (2003, Funny Cide, second)
Santa Anita Derby: 9 (2018, Justify, won)
Arkansas Derby: 7 (2019, Country House, third)
Florida Derby: 6 (2016, Always Dreaming, won)
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Other preps to have produced Derby winners include the Derby Trial, Illinois Derby, Lexington Stakes, Garden State Stakes, Chesapeake Stakes, and allowance races at Churchill Downs.
Kentucky Derby 2020: History and Statistics
The oldest living Kentucky Derby winner is Go For Gin, who romped home in the slop under the Twin Spires in 1994. Now 29, the son of Cormorant is in great shape and living his life at the Kentucky Horse Park’s Hall of Champions after standing at stud for more than two decades. Also at the Horse Park is 2003 hero Funny Cide, who turned 20 this year and greets fans daily at the Hall of Champions.
Kentucky Derby 2020: Past Performances
Based on Past Winners: Where are the rest of the living Kentucky Derby winners? Following is a list, with foaling date and current location. Many are stallions, others are retired and living the good life of a retiree.
Justify
2019 Country House – May 8, 2016 – Retired Feb. 14, 2020, following bout with laminitis; now resides at Blackwood Stables, Versailles, Ky. Will stand first season at stud in 2021.
2018 Justify – March 28, 2015 — Stallion ($150,000) at Ashford Stud, Versailles, Ky.
2017 Always Dreaming – Feb. 25, 2014 – Stallion ($25,000) at WinStar Farm, Versailles, Ky.
2016 Nyquist – March 10, 2013 – Stallion ($40,000) at Darley, Lexington, Ky.
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2015 American Pharoah – Feb. 2, 2012 – Stallion (Private) at Ashford Stud, Versailles, Ky.
2014 California Chrome – Feb. 18, 2011 – Stallion ($36,500) at Arrow Stud, Hokkaido, Japan
2013 Orb – Feb. 24, 2010 – Stallion ($10,000) at Claiborne Farm, Paris, Ky.
2012 I’ll Have Another – April 1, 2009 – Stallion ($6,000) at Ballena Vista Farm, Ramona, Calif. 2011 Animal Kingdom – March 20, 2008 – Stallion (Private) at Jbba Shizunai Stallion Station, Hokkaido, Japan
2010 Super Saver – March 18, 2007 – Stallion (Private) at Turkish Jockey Club Izmit Stallion Complex, Izmit, Turkey
2009 Mine That Bird – May 10, 2006 – Retired at Double Eagle Ranch, Roswell, N.M.
2008 Big Brown – April 10, 2005 – Stallon ($5,000) at Irish Hill & Dutchess Views Stallions, Stillwater, N.Y.
2007 Street Sense – Feb. 23, 2004 – Stallion ($75,000) at Darley, Lexington, Ky.
2005 Giacomo – Feb. 16, 2002 – Stallion ($2,500) at Oakhurst Equine Veterinary Services, Newberg, Ore.
2004 Smarty Jones – Feb. 28, 2001 – Stallion ($3,500) at Equistar Training and Breeding, Annville, Pa.
2003 Funny Cide – April 20, 2000 – Retired, Kentucky Horse Park, Lexington, Ky.
2000 Fusaichi Pegasus – April 12, 1997 – Stallion ($7,500) at Ashford Stud, Versailles, Ky. 1999 1997 Silver Charm – Feb. 22, 1994 – Retired, Old Friends, Georgetown, Ky.
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1996 Grindstone – Jan. 23, 1993 – Retired, Oakhurst Equine Veterinary Services, Newberg, Ore. 1994 Go for Gin April 18, 1991 29 Retired, Kentucky Horse Park, Lexington, Ky.
Miriam Lee has always been a horse racing fan thanks to trips to the tracks in her home state of Maryland with her father as kid. She owns an OTTB and is an advocate for promoting the sport among her peers. Miriam studies communication arts at Hood College and will receive her master’s degree in 2021, which she plans to use for a career in screenwriting. Her all-time favorite racehorse is Man O War.
