SubscribeGift a Sub
Enable cache 100
Categories: Horse News

Thoroughbred Racing Fans Prepare for Derby Weekend

Rachel Alexandra won last year’s Kentucky Oaks before going on to win the second leg of the Triple Crown. Photo: Adam Coglianese/NYRA

Last year’s Kentucky Derby stands out thanks to an unlikely win by a longshot named Mine That Bird. The unknown horse became only the 9th gelding to win in the Derby’s 135 year history.



The Kentucky Oaks, a race held the day before Derby day that is restricted to three-year-old fillies, brought the world’s attention to a horse named Rachel Alexandra, who won the race by a record-breaking 20 ¼ lengths. The filly went on to achieve the rare feat of beating top-level colts to win the Preakness Stakes and the title of 2009 Horse of the Year.



This year, race fans will be hoping for another good story. One filly is entered to race against a field of colts in Saturday’s Kentucky Derby. Devil May Care’s trainer Todd Pletcher is hoping she will become only the fourth filly in history to win the Derby.

The lead-in to this year’s Derby has not been without drama. The former favorite to win, Eskendereya, was pulled from the race due to swelling in a front leg. Another contender, Endorsement was pulled due to injury as well. Endorsement was a notable entry as his trainer, Shannon Ritter, was hoping to become the first woman trainer ever to win the Derby.

The current favorite is Lookin at Lucky, trained by three-time Derby winning trainer Bob Baffert.

Keep up with the latest Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks news at ThoroughbredTimes.com

View Comments

Recent Posts

An Overview of White Line Disease

It's often what you can’t see that leads to trouble, and that’s definitely the case with white line disease. Understanding…

13 hours ago

ASPCA Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week: My Man Ira

Welcome to Horse Illustrated’s weekly installment of the Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week, offered in partnership with the…

1 day ago

Riding Lipizzaners in Hungary

Two hours’ drive from Budapest in the picturesque Bükk National Park lies Szilvásvárad, a beautiful little village that is home…

2 days ago

How Horses Helped Two Boys with ADHD

During the height of the pandemic and racial tension around the U.S., two boys struggling with ADHD found healing through…

3 days ago

Adopting a Companion Horse

When you think of the term “companion horse,” one that is versatile with the ability to fill a variety of…

4 days ago

Emergency and Natural Disaster Preparedness with Horses

Each year, hurricanes, wildfires, and severe storms force thousands across the country to evacuate their homes. When preparing for a…

1 week ago