Kentucky Derby news from Lexington, KY | Lexington Herald-Leader

Kentucky Derby

Celebrities at Derby

Photo gallery of celebrities and athletes at the Derby

137th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs May 7, 2011. Photo by Brooke DiDonato

2011 Derby infield

Photo gallery of the Kentucky Derby infield

Ramon Dominguez rode Hansen, right, past Javier Castellano and Union Rags to win the Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Churchill Downs in November.

Derby Dozen: Late bloomers might have edge in Run for the Roses

Recent history has shown that the best 2-year-old does not a Kentucky Derby victor make. Since 1980, only five Derby winners have been Grade I winners at 2 with Swale (1984), Spend a Buck (1985), Sea Hero (1993), Real Quiet (1998) and Street Sense (2007) making up that rare group.

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Archive by category ''Kentucky Derby

KENTUCKY DERBY

Derby Dozen: Pletcher's barn loaded again, but trainer wary of pitfalls

Trainer Todd Pletcher silenced a round of critics when he won his first Kentucky Derby in 2010 with Super Saver, but the future Hall of Famer has still endured some humbling setbacks where the first Saturday in May is concerned.

1 day ago
KENTUCKY DERBY

Derby Dozen: The next dozen contenders

Beyond the 2012 Derby Dozen, here are 12 more horses who look like strong contenders to compete for the roses on May 5 at Churchill Downs.

1 day ago
KENTUCKY DERBY

Derby Dozen: 12 horses to start getting excited about

These are the 12 horses we believe have the best chance of wearing the winner's circle roses on May 5 at Churchill Downs.

1 day ago
KENTUCKY DERBY PHOTOS

2012 Derby Dozen

Herald-Leader staff writer Alicia Wincze Hughes' annual look at the 12 horses we believe have the best chance of wearing the winner’s circle roses on May 5 at Churchill Downs.

20 hours ago
KENTUCKY DERBY

Increase in Triple Crown nominees reflects horse racing's improving health

Two of the truest barometers for measuring the health of the Thoroughbred industry are its results in the sales ring and its commitment to its classic contests.

8 days ago
KENTUCKY DERBY

Trio of Derby preps to test promising prospects

On Saturday, the Grade II $200,000 Robert B. Lewis Stakes will showcase some of the leading California-based runners — including two of the more promising prospects from trainer Bob Baffert's arsenal — while the Grade III Withers and Grade III Sam F. Davis Stakes take center stage ...

9 days ago
HORSES

Hansen, Union Rags top Experimental Free Handicap

10 days ago
HORSES

Animal Kingdom edges Caleb's Posse as top 3-year-old male

The weight of his Kentucky Derby victory was enough to push Team Valor's Animal Kingdom into historic territory as the homebred chestnut colt defeated fellow Grade I winner Caleb's Posse by three votes to earn the Eclipse Award for champion 3-year-old male Monday.

26 days ago
SPORTS

Mark Story: 10 most fascinating Kentucky sports figures of 2011

With the whole world to pick from, three of Barbara Walter's choices for the 10 Most Fascinating People of 2011 were Donald Trump, Pippa Middleton and The Kardashians. Really? To me, we had scads of people more fascinating just among sports figures in the commonwealth.

55 days ago
HORSES

Also-eligible entries get OK for Derby, Oaks

Having been hit with notable late scratches to the first leg of the Triple Crown in recent years, Churchill Downs announced Friday it will permit as many as four also-eligible entrants to the Kentucky Derby and the Kentucky Oaks, beginning in 2012.

58 days ago