Kentucky-breds dominant during Triple Crown prep season
April 25, 2019 June 26, 2019
Back to Our News PageWith all the Kentucky Derby (G1) prep races completed, the field for the May 4th Run for the Roses is shaping up to be a nearly all Kentucky-bred showcase, with 18 of the 20 prospective starters foaled in the Bluegrass.
Kentucky-breds have also won all but one of the major Triple Crown prep races run in the United States this year and will attempt to win the Kentucky Derby for the 111th time in the 145th running of the Derby on Saturday, May 4th.
The Derby Championship Series, comprised of 16 races beginning with the Feb. 16th Risen Star S. (G2) at Fair Grounds and ending with the April 13th Arkansas Derby (G1), were won by 14 different horses, with Omaha Beach, the likely Derby favorite, doubling up to take the Rebel S. (G2) and Arkansas Derby, and Tacitus capturing the Tampa Bay Derby (G2) and Wood Memorial (G2). The only horses in the group not running in the Derby are Jeff Ruby S. (G3) winner Somelikeithotbrown and Lexington S. (G3) winner Ownedale, who is possible for the May 18th Preakness (G1).
The Derby has shaped up to be one of the most competitive in years, with the Juddmonte Farms homebred Tacitus, Charming Syndicate bred Omaha Beach, the Bob Baffert trained trio of Santa Anita Derby (G1) winner Roadster (Stone Farm), 2-year-old champion Game Winner (Summer Wind Equine), and Improbable (St. George Farm & G. Watts Humphrey, Jr.), and Florida Derby (G1) winner Maximum Security (bred and owned by Gary & Mary West) all vying for favoritism.
The Derby, which will run with a maximum of 20 horses and 4 also-eligibles, will have its post position draw on Tuesday, April 30 at Churchill Downs.