Winning Margins: Kentucky Derby Betting

The excitement of the Kentucky Derby is never restricted to just the two minutes or so in which the races run. In the weeks leading up to the annual event, contenders jump onto and off the probables lists daily and the hype builds steadily up until and through the time the gates swing open. But nothing is as exciting, likely, then the last few seconds of the race as the winner cruises down the lane to the win by daylight, or especially when he (or she) just gets up in time.

The Derby outcome has been decided by less than a length on 43 occasions, but has been won by four lengths or more 23 times. 

Largest Winning Margins:

Old Rosebud: 1914, 8 lengths 
Johnstown: 1939, 8 lengths 
Whirlaway: 1941, 8 lengths 
Assault: 1946, 8 lengths 
Mine That Bird: 2009, 6 ¾ lengths 
Barbaro: 2006, 6 ½ lengths 
Chant: 1894, 6 lengths 
Hoop Jr.: 1945, 6 lengths 
Spend a Buck: 1985, 5 ¼ lengths 
Halma: 1895, 5 lengths 
Sir Barton: 191,9 5 lengths 
Bubbling Over: 1926, 5 lengths 
Burgoo King: 1932, 5 lengths 
Dust Commander: 1970, 5 lengths 
Monarchos: 2001, 4 ¾ lengths 
Big Brown: 2008, 4 ¾ lengths 
Pensive: 1944, 4 ½ lengths 
Hindoo: 1881, 4 lengths 
Lookout: 1893, 4 lengths 
Wintergreen: 1909, 4 lengths 
Twenty Grand: 1931, 4 lengths 
Count Turf: 1951, 4 lengths 
War Emblem: 2002, 4 lengths 

Smallest Winning Margin 

Spokane: 1889, nose 
Azra: 1892, nose 
Ben Brush: 1896, nose 
Plaudit: 1898, nose 
Alan-a-Dale: 1902, nose 
Brokers Tip: 1933, nose 
Iron Liege: 1957 nose 
Tomy Lee: 1959, nose 
Grindstone: 1996, nose 
Mystik Dan: 2024, nose
Paul Jones: 1920, head 
Behave Yourself: 1921, head 
Whiskery: 1927, head 
Bold Venture: 1936, head 
Jet Pilot: 1947, head 
Dark Star: 1953, head 
Silver Charm: 1997, head 
Joe Cotton: 1885, neck 

Typhoon II: 1897, neck 
Worth: 1912, neck 
George Smith: 1916, neck 
Northern Dancer: 1964, neck 
Lucky Debonair: 1965, neck 
Majestic Prince: 1969, neck 
Winning Colors: 1988, neck 
Charismatic: 1999, neck 
Apollo: 1882, ½ length 
Ben Ali: 1886, ½ length 
Kingman: 1891, ½ length 
Elwood: 1904, ½ length 
Donau: 1910, ½ length 
Donerail: 1913, ½ length 
Black Gold: 1924, ½ length 
Tim Tam: 1958, ½ length 

Kauai King: 1966, ½ length 
Real Quiet: 1998, ½ length 
Giacomo: 2005, ½ length 
Judge Himes: 1903, ¾ length 
Meridian: 1911, ¾ length 
Needles: 1956 ¾ length 
Carry Back: 1961, ¾ length 
Pleasant Colony: 1981, ¾ length 
Alysheba: 1987, ¾ length
Rich Strike: 2022, ¾ length

US Racing Team

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.