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.

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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

16 years ago

Abigail Boatwright

Abigail Boatwright is a freelance writer and photographer based in Texas, and is the editor of Horse Illustrated’s sister publication, Western Life Today.