2017 Kentucky Derby Facts & History
3:29 AMPosted by: John S Kiernan
Some call it the “most exciting two minutes in sports,” in reference to the speed of good, old-fashioned horse power and the millions of dollars that ride on the outcome. Others call it the “run for the roses,” given the giant floral garnish donned by the fastest pair in the winner’s circle. But you probably know this annual celebration of hats, horses and hooch as the Kentucky Derby, or the first leg of the Triple Crown.
This year marks the 143nd running of the Kentucky Derby, held each May at Louisville’s historic Churchill Downs Racetrack. Yet only 35 mounts have followed up a Derby victory with a win in the Triple Crown’s second leg, the Preakness Stakes. And a mere 12 have then sealed the deal in the Belmont Stakes. The chance to see history is nevertheless just one element of what makes the Kentucky Derby so special.
More than 120,000 Mint Juleps are served each year, for one thing. And the most fashionable headgear is on display, as roughly 90% of female attendees embrace the time-honored tradition of big hats at the race track. It’s really just a big party. And to help get you in the spirit for this year’s festivities, we analyzed all angles of the event, from betting slips and boozing to spectator fashion and stud fees, in search of the best Kentucky Derby fun facts we could find. You can check them all out in the infographic below. We also convened a panel of leading industry experts for Derby scouting reports and insights into major issues facing horseracing.
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We posed the following questions to a panel of leading horseracing experts in order to better understand both the Kentucky Derby and the equine industry more generally. You can check out their bios and responses below.
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Jenifer Nadeau Associate Professor of Animal Science and Equine Extension Specialist at University of Connecticut, College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources
Brian D. Nielsen Professor of Equine Exercise Physiology in the Department of Animal Science at Michigan State University
Karyn Malinowski Founding Director of the Equine Science Center, and Professor in the Department of Animal Sciences at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, School of Environmental and Biological Sciences
Eduardo L. Gastal Associate Professor in the Department of Animal Science, Food and Nutrition at Southern Illinois University, College of Agricultural Sciences
Laura White Assistant Professor of Equine Science in the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences at New Mexico State University
Jenny Strooband Assistant Professor of Animal Science at Linn-Benton Community College
Cory Kieschnick Assistant Professor and Chair of the Department of Equine Science & Management at Delaware Valley University
Ann M. Swinker Associate Professor of Equine Science in the Department of Animal Science at Pennsylvania State University, College of Agricultural Sciences
Saundra TenBroeck Associate Professor in the Department of Animal Sciences, and Horse Specialist in the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences at University of Florida
Nicky Overgaard Instructor in Equine Science at University of Minnesota Crookston, Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources
Fernanda Camargo Associate Professor in the Department of Animal and Food Sciences, and Equine Extension Specialist at University of Kentucky, College of Agriculture
Joe Humphrey Assistant Professor of Equine & Animal Science at Ellsworth Community College
What measures should be adopted to better protect the health and well-being of race horses? There has been a lot of research into the best surface for tracks and I think that this information should be used to provide the best possible surface. Continuing to implement drug testing and continuing to ensure that horses with injuries do not run is also important. Also, horses that do not have good conformation, especially of the hooves and legs really should not be bred. There is an old horseman’s saying, “No foot, no horse” and that is definitely true. Breeding horses that are not structurally sound is not a good practice. Would a Triple Crown winner help revive horse racing as a spectator sport in the US? I believe it could help to do that. Who do you think will win this year’s Kentucky Derby? That is anyone’s guess! I like Nyquist or Gun Runner. Brian D. Nielsen Professor of Equine Exercise Physiology in the Department of Animal Science at Michigan State University 
What measures should be adopted to better protect the health and well-being of race horses? Regarding the health and well-being of race horses, I think there are two key items. The first is education. Many trainers, as well as those individuals who are involved in the horse industry, often handle horses incorrectly - often because they do not understand bone physiology. All too often, we hear people criticizing trainers for racing and training their horses young and this being used as a reason for why horses experience injuries. Truthfully, research has clearly shown that skeletal tissues are most able to adapt to the rigors of training when the skeleton is still young and growing (and this is done through bone modeling - a process that primarily occurs when the animal is growing and is a process in which bone can more easily change to accommodate new forces). By contrast, once the skeleton is fully mature, bone can primarily only undergo bone remodeling - a process in which old or damaged bone is replaced but in which there is little ability for the bone to become stronger or adapt to new forces. Many horse people claim that racing horses while they are young is bad but that is really not the case. However, while they are young, the skeleton seemingly can lose mineral quicker, too (bone responds to whatever forces are placed upon it and if, experiencing load, it becomes stronger but if the load is decreased it becomes weaker). Often, young horses are placed into stalls with little access to high-speed exercise. When that happens (often at times when they are being prepared for sales or when they are in the initial stages of training), the skeleton can become weak. Then, when the horses actually begin speedwork, the skeleton is weakened as opposed to what it would have been if they had been kept out on pasture (with free access to the opportunity to sprint while playing) or if they had regular short bursts of high-speed exercise during training. I also believe the use of corticosteroids is a major issue that contributes to injuries. When horses have joint issues, corticosteroids are often administered and such usage can greatly decrease pain and inflammation in the joint. Such a response can make a trainer believe the problem is gone but joints don’t heal in such a short period of time. In essence, the problem is still there - it just has been hidden. Neither the horse nor the trainer realizes that the joint is compromised as the horse appears fine. I believe many veterinarians do not even realize the implications behind such use. I tend to believe that pain is there for a reason. It tells the body “don’t do that”. If the joint has damage, pain is the warning sign. When the pain is removed, the warning sign is gone. Would a Triple Crown winner help revive horse racing as a spectator sport in the US? I think American Pharoah did a great job on getting the general public enthusiastic about horse racing, as did California Chrome the year before (who almost was a Triple Crown winner too, except for having his hoof stepped on by a neighboring horse right when the starting gates opened in the Belmont). I actually question whether having a Triple Crown winner last year may hurt interest this year. It has always been such a seemingly unachievable goal in the past 35+ years that it captivated the general public - especially when a horse won the first two legs. Now that it has been done, I wonder if the interest will decline. I hope it doesn’t happen but fear that it might. I do think that the owners of American Pharoah did a great job of allowing the horse to race after having won the Triple Crown and the same goes for California Chrome continuing on to race. The challenge racing faces is that we constantly have new equine stars that the public only briefly gets to know before they are retired. The owners of these two superstars did a great service to the racing industry by allowing their horses to continue to compete despite their huge value in the breeding shed. Who do you think will win this year’s Kentucky Derby? As for my prediction, I wait until the day before the race to make my prediction. There are too many factors that go into winning the race and making the prediction much in advance is setting you up for failure. None of the horses have ever raced a mile and a quarter before, none have faced that large of a field (possibly 20 horses), or have had that large of a crowd cheering for them. Post position and race conditions (fast, good, muddy, sloppy) all play a role in who will win that day, as well as who is peaking at the right time. I’m a firm believer in “what have you done for me recently” and I want to see how things are going in the days leading up to the race. I do make a point of making my pick, along with a whole analysis of the field, public to my students and friends on the day before the race and have picked it 6 out of the last 10 years so that strategy seems to be paying off. Picking someone too far ahead will usually make you look foolish. Karyn Malinowski Founding Director of the Equine Science Center, and Professor in the Department of Animal Sciences at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, School of Environmental and Biological Sciences 
What measures should be adopted to better protect the health and well-being of race horses? For the most part, race horses are very well taken care of. Most owners and trainers love their horses and take better care of them than themselves. I have always believed that research funds must be devoted to ensure the well-being of race horses; everything from measuring stress levels in their daily routine, to looking at the effects of performance altering agents. At the high end of competition, everyone tries to get an edge and some top trainers become better chemists than trainers. Research dollars should be spent to ensure that these agents are looked at in the exercising race horse. Drug testing is not the only answer. We need to know what the suspected agent does to the horse. Maybe it doesn’t impact performance at all! Or it does negatively. Regulatory agencies also need to be “brave” enough to stand up to the big guys. When it comes to penalizing people who come up with a positive test in a race horse, regulatory agencies should not just be letting the trainers of small stables send the message that they got caught for using a banned substance. All trainers, in all states should be treated equally. Also, owners need to realize that they need to be responsible for finding jobs for these horses once their racing careers are over! We have rescued over 100 Standardbred race horses over the last 30 years giving them new jobs in our teaching and research program at the Rutgers Equine Science Center. All of our research horses are former Standardbred race horses. Would a Triple Crown winner help revive horse racing as a spectator sport in the US? What did American Pharoah do for the sport? There was big hype last year for the Belmont, the Haskell and the Travers, but nothing since. These horses leave the scene too soon and the public forgets… It would have been great if American Pharoah went on a tour this year, letting his fans see and touch him. Now that’s great for the sport! Who do you think will win this year’s Kentucky Derby? I have no idea! Three year olds going 1 ¼ miles for the first time, with a field of 20? It’s a crap shoot. Having said that, you have to like the California horses (3 of 4 have won the Derby in the last 4 years). Nyquist is yet unbeaten and Exaggerator with Kent Desormeaux is a good combo. Eduardo L. Gastal Associate Professor in the Department of Animal Science, Food and Nutrition at Southern Illinois University, College of Agricultural Sciences 
What measures should be adopted to better protect the health and well-being of race horses? Adequate and mandatory clinical veterinary exams, and appropriate official rules to be followed according to each case. Would a Triple Crown winner help revive horse racing as a spectator sport in the US? Yes! This for sure will be important. Laura White Assistant Professor of Equine Science in the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences at New Mexico State University 
What measures should be adopted to better protect the health and well-being of race horses? State racing commissions all over the country are continually reviewing policy and procedures to ensure the safety of human and horse athletes competing in horse racing. One recent adoption of interest is out-of-competition drug testing. This practice allows a state racing commission to drug test a horse under their jurisdiction at essentially any time (old policy only drug tested after the horse competed in a race). This new policy will definitely cut down on illegal drug use and hold everyone (trainers / owners / veterinarians) more accountable. I believe this is a positive step for racing and will only enhance public perception. I am not sure of the adoption of this policy across states; I believe that it was implemented in New Mexico last year. Would a Triple Crown winner help revive horse racing as a spectator sport in the US? I believe last year’s Triple Crown winner certainly did that for racing. I’m not sure that another one this year could increase interest more. I think high profile horses and races (think: California Chrome winning the Dubai World Cup with a balancing jockey) are needed throughout the year to generate interest in horse racing. Hopefully the public gains interest and visits their local track. Who do you think will win this year’s Kentucky Derby? I’m rooting for them all! If I have to pick one, then I’m pulling for Exaggerator, but ultimately I want to see a fun, safe race. Jenny Strooband Assistant Professor of Animal Science at Linn-Benton Community College 
What measures should be adopted to better protect the health and well-being of race horses? I think most race horses are incredibly well cared for. It is in their owners and trainers best interest to provide them excellent care in order for them to perform at their peak. That said, the industry does require that we start and race these horses at very young age. We would see less injuries, and longer life-long soundness, if we raced them at 3 instead of 2. I want to be clear that this is the opinion of someone who is not a racing enthusiast. Would a Triple Crown winner help revive horse racing as a spectator sport in the US? American Pharaoh won the Triple Crown, and while I do think that brought racing to the forefront for awhile, I'm not sure if it impacted the industry for any length of time. Horse racing can be tough to understand for the general public, and the bad press from massive and very public injuries has put a stain on the face of horse racing. People not involved in horses might mistake it for abusive. I believe horses run because they love to run, and the racing industry would be more successful if they advertised horse racing along those lines. Who do you think will win this year’s Kentucky Derby? I don't know who will win the 2016 Derby, but I understand Nyquist is the horse to beat. Cory Kieschnick Assistant Professor and Chair of the Department of Equine Science & Management at Delaware Valley University 
Would a Triple Crown winner help revive horse racing as a spectator sport in the US? I think a Triple Crown winner could help revive horse racing as a spectator sport in the US. Everyone loves a success story and people enjoy connecting the story to the animal and then rooting for a win. The more invested people become, the more buzz around a certain horse, the more likely that people will take the time to watch the races. But there has to be more than just a shot at the Triple Crown every year to really establish a year-round fan base for horse racing. Ann M. Swinker Associate Professor of Equine Science in the Department of Animal Science at Pennsylvania State University, College of Agricultural Sciences 
What measures should be adopted to better protect the health and well-being of race horses? You want to use an integrated system. This would include advice from your veterinarian, a good nutritionist, a trusted trainer and a good farrier. You need to take the advice of all of those people and collectively come up with the best management plan. It's obvious you need a good balance of nutrition, genetics management, conditioning and training, and healthcare. Would a Triple Crown winner help revive horse racing as a spectator sport in the US? Every time there's a Triple Crown winner or the potential of a Triple Crown winner, this brings a lot of publicity and activity to the horse industry. And this promotion is not only to the racing industry; it affects all equestrian activities. Saundra TenBroeck Associate Professor in the Department of Animal Sciences, and Horse Specialist in the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences at University of Florida 
What measures should be adopted to better protect the health and well-being of race horses? There is a myriad of measures in place to protect the health and well-being of horses. I believe that horse owners and trainers that are in it for the long haul are practicing good horsemanship and good management. They care about the horses they have spent a lifetime breeding, raising, selecting and training to become the best athletes they can be. Horses that have been prepared well nutritionally and through proper conditioning programs, should be able to compete to their genetic potential. Racetracks have developed newer and safer running surfaces. Health care providers stay on top of emerging pathogens and we have an arsenal of vaccines and anthelmintics for preventative health care. Our diagnostic tools are better now than ever and we can identify many problems before they become traumatic injuries. Exercise physiologists have conducted research relative to training methods and bone strength, stability, endurance, etc. Not all of science is embraced in training programs because there is a lot of tradition and the idea “if it’s not broke, don’t fix it”. There are animal welfare committees in every equine discipline that serve to hold owners and trainers accountable for the horses for which they are stewards. Accountability is needed in every walk of life and the racing industry is no exception. One of the most controversial areas in the race horse world is pharmaceuticals. The use of various drugs/chemicals to manage pain, prevent nose bleeds and enhance performance is controversial at best. Industry leaders need to continue to talk about and make decisions regarding issues that are important for the welfare of the horse as well as the racing industry as a whole. Would a Triple Crown winner help revive horse racing as a spectator sport in the US? People are always on the lookout for a hero. American Pharaoh certainly did his part last year. Winning the Triple Crown has been elusive for many years and it was sweet to see it happen in 2015. The Triple Crown is on three races. The question of reviving horse racing as a spectator sport is much bigger than that. People need a reason to go. Being family friendly might help. The NASCAR approach with sponsorships might help. There are many, many ways people can gamble without even leaving home. Horse racing has to have a draw outside of the chance to gamble. Pari-mutuel is certainly a critical part of the equation for the industry to remain solvent, but there are other ways racing could be profitable. Fair play, beautiful animals, excellent sportsmanship and horsemanship, wholesome entertainment that draws people away from their computers and cell phones… that’s my idea of what could improve the gate at races. Nicky Overgaard Instructor in Equine Science at University of Minnesota Crookston, Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources 
What measures should be adopted to better protect the health and well-being of race horses? I believe that if the industry is pressed on the matter (which we all are in the industry) then those within that industry are better equipped to decide how to better protect their own horses. They have to look at what is happening to their horses and make some changes within their industry. I do believe that they are making a conscious effort at making things safer for their horses by researching and implementing better footing at race tracks, for example. Beyond that, as an outsider and as with every breeder, we need to all work on being more conscientious about what we are breeding. We have to continue to improve on breeding structurally sound and mentally stable horses and be careful not to breed out good bone, feet and straight legs. Any horse, in any discipline, stays sounder longer when their structure is correct. Breakdowns happen much more often to structurally unsound horses. Would a Triple Crown winner help revive horse racing as a spectator sport in the US? Yes, I believe that anytime there is a Triple Crown horse in the running, that it is positive for the industry. People really get excited when a horse can accomplish that feat. Obviously, look at American Pharoah. He is truly an American hero in the horse industry and really has gotten people interested in watching horse races. People in any aspect of the horse industry are very impressed with that accomplishment and they help get people outside the industry excited about the sport. Fernanda Camargo Associate Professor in the Department of Animal and Food Sciences, and Equine Extension Specialist at University of Kentucky, College of Agriculture 
What measures should be adopted to better protect the health and well-being of race horses? If I were to give you my honest opinion, race horses are very well treated, at least in the Bluegrass, where I live. I can’t speak for all racetracks, but I believe most racing horses are well treated, otherwise they won’t be healthy enough to make any money. Every horse needs a certain amount of food, water, and, arguably, shelter. They need their feet trimmed every so often, depending on the horse, they need their teeth done once or twice a year (also age dependent), and they need vaccinations. Ideally, race horses would have the opportunity to be turned out, but not all training facilities have enough acreage to allow that. And even if they did, some people would not want to turn the horses out in fear they would get hurt, which is quite a possibility. There isn’t an ideal answer to your question of what measures should be adopted to better protect their health and well-being. If you see American Pharoah’s life during his racing career and now post-racing, it’s a sweet life. I have limited experience traveling to racetracks in western states, and the racetrack that I am most familiar with is Keeneland. And Keeneland is absolutely phenomenal. Their barns are well ventilated, the stalls are large, the tracks are great, and the atmosphere is just beautiful. It’s important that people understand that these horses love to have a job. Athletes are workaholic. They love to exercise and they love to run. Sometimes you will encounter a few that don’t do well at the track, or are too slow. I think it is nice of owners, when they encounter one that is not so fast, or simply doesn’t like the lifestyle, to send him on to a second career where the horse will blossom. There are many retired racehorse adoption agencies, and they do a fabulous job placing these horses. Would a Triple Crown winner help revive horse racing as a spectator sport in the US? We can only hope that having a recent Triple Crown winner will bring fans back to racing! I think a lot of us thought the Triple Crown could not be achieved anymore with different medication rules, and more sensitive tests today than ever before. But AP proved us wrong! Joe Humphrey Assistant Professor of Equine & Animal Science at Ellsworth Community College 
What measures should be adopted to better protect the health and well-being of race horses? I don’t know that any new, additional measures need to be taken to protect the horses. The vast majority are cared for, treated and maintained better than most humans are, by professionals who genuinely care for the animals and are trying to make a living based on their performance. If the horses in their charge are healthy and perform well, then the caretakers are better off as well. I think that is a pretty good incentive to make sure that you are doing the best by the horses as possible. On a slightly different note, one thing I think would help is more uniform regulation from state to state, in regards to some medication and equipment uses. I realize each state feels that they can govern themselves the best, but maybe a federal mandate/regulation might help simplify a few things. Would a Triple Crown winner help revive horse racing as a spectator sport in the US? Yes, I believe another Triple Crown winner would help to continue to grow the renewed interest that American Pharoah started last year. Data has shown an increase in TV viewing and betting handle so far this year (Pablo Alcala- Lexington Herald-Leader). 37 years was a long time for everyone to wait since Affirmed. Who do you think will win this year’s Kentucky Derby? It’s hard to go against an undefeated Nyquist, but Exaggerator looked really impressive in the Santa Anita and seems to be improving. Sentimental choice - Brody’s Cause.from Wallet HubWallet Hub
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