2024 Kentucky Derby Photos
The Derby and Oaks horses wait at the Lukas gap or the track to open on Wednesday morning. From left to right: Epic Ride, Fiona's Magic, Grand Mo the First, and Mugatu.
Kentucky artist Wylie Caudill works on a mural version of his painting "Adorned in Roses" which is on this year's Woodford Reserve commemorative Derby bottle which is in the plaza to the left of the new paddock. |
Date: 5/01/2024
Wednesday morning at Churchill Downs was busy again during the exclusive Oaks/Derby session, but with just 2 days to Oaks day and 3 to Derby day, there were no further timed workouts for Kentucky Derby horses, just the daily gallops. Conditions were typical for Derby week, sunny with mostly clear skies and temperatures in the high 50's during training hours. Video for this morning's work can be viewed here on YouTube. Videos of individual horses in timed works can be found here.
Below are photos and comments for 15 Derby horses and 14 Oaks fillies.
- Thursday Kentucky Derby Photos - 18 Kentucky Derby horses and 12 Kentucky Oaks fillies from Thursday morning at Churchill Downs plus a loose horse caught right in front of me! Tapit Jenallie was scratched from the Oaks.
- Wednesday Kentucky Derby Photos - 15 Kentucky Derby horses and 14 Kentucky Oaks fillies from Wednesday morning on the track or paddock schooling at Churchill Downs.
- Tuesday Kentucky Derby Photos - Photos and comments for 14 of the Derby horses and 12 Oaks fillies from Tuesday morning April 30, including timed works for both Japanese horses - Forever Young and T O Password.
- 2024 Kentucky Derby Analysis - Our annual analysis of the top contenders to try and select a winner by matching each to the profile of a Kentucky Derby winner using many of the more popular angles and statistical trends. This year there is a clear winner followed by a 3-way tie, but the favorite isn't up there!
- Kentucky Derby Entries - A field of 20 plus two also-eligibles were entered for the 150th Kentucky Derby on Monday. Florida Derby winner Fierceness was set as the morning line favorite at 5-1 from post 17. Get all the horses, post positions, morning line odds, and free past performances here.
- Kentucky Oaks Entries - On Saturday the post positions were drawn for the 150th Longines Kentucky Oaks and a full field of 14 3-year-old fillies plus two also-eligibles made the entry box, with 7-2 morning line favorite Tarifa drawing post 8. Get the horses, post positions, and free past performances here.
- Free Past Performances: From Brisnet.com for the
Kentucky Oaks (look for Tarifa)
and Kentucky Derby (look for Fierceness)
- Derby Workout Notes: 4/29 notes, 4/28 notes, 4/27 notes, 4/26 notes, 4/25 notes, 4/24 notes, 4/23 notes
Kentucky Derby
CATALYTIC - was back on the track Wednesday at 7:30 a.m., with regular exercise rider Olaf Hernandez aboard. Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. had the Florida Derby (GI) runner-up gallop a mile-and-a-half. Later Wednesday, "He's going to school in the paddock during race two this afternoon," Joseph said. "Tomorrow, he'll gallop again, and maybe school in the paddock, depending on how today goes. All is well with him, he's been handling everything very well so far."
CATCHING FREEDOM - galloped twice around, and will school in the paddock Thursday.
DOMESTIC PRODUCT - put in his training just after 8 a.m., galloping twice around with good energy and even giving Brown an anxious moment when he reared coming off the track. Trainer Chad Brown said. "(Domestic Product) actually came off on his hind legs and had me a little scared. He seems to conserve his energy so much. He's really coming into the race the right way."
ENDLESSLY – galloped 1 3/8 miles under exercise rider Walter Davila. Trainer Mike McCarthy said, "If he didn't look good, I'd be worried. But he's looking good." West Coast rider Umberto Rispoli will get a leg up from McCarthy Saturday, then break from post 14 in the 20-horse Derby lineup.
EPIC RIDE – visited the starting gate and then jogged in the mile chute under Sophie Doyle for trainer John Ennis, and later schooled in the paddock. "We will probably do all of our work down there the rest of the week," Ennis said. "He's sharp now and he stood in the gate quiet as a church mouse this morning. (Jockey Adam Beschizza) will get him to where he is comfortable."
FIERCENESS – got on the Churchill oval at 7:30 under Danny Wright for a 1 1/4 mile tour of the oval, followed by a jog down to the starting gate in the mile chute where the dark bay youngster practiced entering a version of the 20-hole gate he'll see Saturday. Pletcher was nearby to make sure all went well. It did and a return to Barn 39 followed shortly thereafter.
GRAND MO THE FIRST – on the track, exercise rider Amel Macias took Grand Mo the First to the starting gate where he stood to the satisfaction of Barboza and then galloped a mile and a half. Emisael Jaramillo, who has ridden Grand Mo the First in four of his six starts including his two victories, has the Derby mount. Jaramillo is scheduled to arrive in Louisville Friday night after riding at Gulfstream Park.
HONOR MARIE – galloped 1 1/2 miles at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday under regular rider Maurilio Garcia. Jockey Ben Curtis was on hand to watch his Derby contender train. "It's a fun week being involved with the Kentucky Derby," Curtis said. "I'm excited to get to Saturday, though." This will be the first mount in the Derby for Curtis.
JUST A TOUCH – galloped twice around, and will school in the paddock Thursday.
MYSTIK DAN – was out for trainer Kenny McPeek for a typical gallop of about a mile and three-eighths with jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. on Wednesday, along with a little gate schooling. "We stood him in the gate for like a minute, 45 seconds, to kind of simulate what's going to happen Saturday," Hernandez said. "Then we popped him out and let him go for about a sixteenth of a mile. Then he came back to us and trained well. It seems like he's ready to go."
"We just did a little gate schooling, since we drew inside," said McPeek, whose colt will start from the post 3 with Hernandez. "We wanted to make sure we leave there clean. We don't want to leave there flat-footed." The scratching of Encino could make a difference in the Derby. "I do think he was a little speed in there," McPeek said. "I'm not sure how that will unfold."
RESILIENCE – visited the paddock and then took to the Churchill Downs track. The son of Into Mischief galloped twice around the oval with Bill Mott keeping watch from his pony.
SIERRA LEONE – came out at his customary time during the 7:30 a.m. training period, galloping twice around over the Churchill Downs track. Co-owner Brook Smith said, "I'm just kind of soaking it in still. I know waking up on Derby Day and heading to the track will be a lot different than it's ever been before. I'm excited. I'm anxious but at the same time I'm more excited because if he runs his race, it's going to be exciting. I guess if (Sierra Leone) gets there, the high will continue. And even if it doesn't, if he runs a big race and doesn't win it's still going to be one of the most memorable things of my life."
SOCIETY MAN – hit the track for a gallop and gate schooling during the 7:30-7:45 training window for Derby and Oaks horses. Trainer Danny Gargan said, "Society Man did the gate today and I don't know if I'll take him again tomorrow. He trained really well today at that time. I'm pleased with how my horses are doing. I think I have two super sound horses and they're both training good. Just have to take it day by day."
WEST SARATOGA – visited the starting gate under exercise rider Donte Lowery and then galloped a mile and a half for trainer Larry Demeritte. For owner Harry Veruchi, the Derby experience is one to relish. "I bought my first horse in 1982, and two weeks later he won at Centennial Racetrack in Littleton, Colorado," Veruchi said. "I thought, this is easy. And now, to be here, who would have thought it. I don't know anybody who has been in the Kentucky Derby or even anybody who has won a graded stake."
ALSO ELIGIBLES
MUGATU - galloped a mile and a half at 7:30 under jockey Joe Talamo for trainer Jeff Engler.
Kentucky Oaks
Everland went out for a gallop of about 1 1/16 miles Wednesday with her Oaks rider, Abel Cedillo. "I know she's going to run her race, if she transitions to the dirt," said trainer Eric Foster, who has been in the horse business his entire life, other than about 10 years when he worked as a boilermaker. "We're gonna find out Friday if she belongs. Going from the artificial to the dirt was my biggest concern. I always said that I'd never run in the Oaks or Derby just to run. Saying that, I think she has a legitimate shot."
Fiona's Magic had her morning routine switched up a bit Wednesday morning by trainer Michael Yates. "Instead of breaking off when she came on the track, I took her over to the front side to let her get a look at all the people (for Dawn at the Downs)," Yates said. "Then she galloped about a mile and three-eighths."
Gin Gin galloped about 1 1/2 miles Wednesday at 7:30 a.m. for trainer Brad Cox.
Into Champagne went to the track Wednesday at the 7:30 a.m. training time for trainer Ian Wilkes. "She galloped about a mile-and-three-eighths with her exercise rider, Adelso Orantes," Wilkes said. Later in the morning, he said, she was going to be schooling in the paddock. Jockey Julian Leparoux likes his chances in the Oaks with Into Champagne. The filly drew the post 10 and was bet down to 34-1 in advance wagering Tuesday. "She doesn't have any bad races, she's always run good, so hopefully we get the trip, and we'll see what happens," he said.
Just F Y I had another standard morning for trainer Bill Mott, visiting the paddock before putting in her gallop over the main track. Just F Y I capped off her 3-for-3 2-year-old season with a victory in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (GI). The daughter of Justify ran second to fellow Oaks contender Leslie's Rose in the Ashland Stakes (GI) on April 5.
Leslie's Rose galloped during the special training session between 7:30-7:45 at Churchill Downs on a lovely Kentucky morning under exercise rider Joel Osorio.
Power Squeeze went to a Churchill Downs track Wednesday for trainer Jorge Delgado, with exercise rider Edwin Castro. "She just did her routine, and galloped a mile-and-a-half," Delgado said. "She looked really good. She's having some fun out there. I can't wait until Friday. I just wish the race was this afternoon, and not two days away. People are noticing her now."
Regulatory Risk galloped twice around during the 7:30 a.m. training session Wednesday with trainer Chad Brown looking on.
Tarifa galloped about 1 1/2 miles Wednesday at 7:30 a.m. for trainer Brad Cox.
Thorpedo Anna went out Wednesday morning for a gallop with another jockey that trainer Kenny McPeek regularly calls on, Robby Albarado. "The filly galloped a mile-and-a-half, and stood in the gate, too," McPeek said. The filly, who will have jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. aboard, was bet down to the 5-2 favorite after Tuesday's advance wagering.
Ways and Means galloped twice around during the 7:30 a.m. training session Wednesday with trainer Chad Brown looking on.
Where's My Ring was scheduled to stretch her legs under exercise rider David Rodriguez; just something simple was the plan. "She's feelin' good though, real good," Brinkerhoff said. "I was just going to jog her around there one time, but now I might have to gallop her one, too." The well-made daughter of Twirling Candy did just that during the special 7:30-7:45 training session for Oaks and Derby horses, proving to be part of the show put on for a large crowd on a sunny morning. Michael McMillan, the filly's owner, was on hand for the activities. "She's the first horse I ever bought," the Las Vegas resident said. "It's exciting being with her and coming up to a big race like the Oaks."
ALSO ELIGIBLES
Our Pretty Woman galloped once around on Wednesday and then schooled in the paddock in the afternoon.
Candied galloped during the special training session between 7:30-7:45 at Churchill Downs on a lovely Kentucky morning under exercise rider Carlos Quevedo.
The $200,000 Isaac Murphy Marathon Overnight Stakes on Wednesday afternoon featured 8 older horses going 1 1/2 miles on the main track. 7-2 second choice Classic Causeway set the pace of 24,64, 48.71, 1:13.45, and 1:38.22 while pressed by 9-10 favorite Next and stalked by 8-1 fourth choice Donegal Forever. Into the stretch jockey Luan Machado sent next to the lead through 10f in 2:03.03. Kept to task by Machado, Next drew off to win by 11 1/4 lengths over late-running 11-1 Dai Vernon in a new track record 2:27.93. It was another 2 1/4 lengths back to 10-1 Masqueparade third.
2024 Triple Crown quick links:
- Belmont Stakes Contenders - Here is a look at the top horses possile for the Belmont Stakes at Saratoga to be run at 1 1/4 miles this year. Lots of info about the race and profiles for all the horses.
- Saratoga Weather Forecasts - Looks like a good chance it will be wet again.
- Belmont Stakes official site - lots of news and info here
- Belmont Stakes History - for 2024 from NYRA split into sections. Includes all kinds of interesting stats plus charts for all the previous runnings included in the list of winners.
- Seize the Grey grabs the Preakness (G1) - Saturday at Pimlico, led all the way in the mud to win the Preakness Stakes (G1) by 2 1/4 lengths over favorite Mystik Dan wit Catching Freedom rallying for third. Get the results, chart, and photos here.
- Preakness Undercard Stakes Results - There were 8 other stakes on Preakness day headlined by the Dinner Party Stakes (G3) won by Balnikhov, the Chick Lang Stakes (G3) won by Frost Free, the Maryland Sprint Stakes (G3) won by Super Chow, the Gallorette (G3) won by Fluffy Socks, and the Sir Barton won by Corporate Power. Get the results, charts, and photos for all 8 races here.
- Black-Eyed Susan Day Results - Gun Song drew away to win the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (G2) by 3 1/4 lengths over Corposo and Call Another Play at Pimlico on Friday. There were 5 other stakes on the card including the Pimlico Special (G3) won by Pyrenees, the Allaire Dupont Distaff won by Shotgun Hottie, and the Miss Preakness Stakes (G3) won by Mystic Lake. Get the results, charts, and photos for all 6 races here.
- Mystical Dan holds on in the 2024 Kentucky Derby (G1)- Saturday at Churchill Downs, long shot Mystical Dan held off the late charge of Sierra Leone to win the Kentucky Derby (G1) by a nose with Forever Young another nose back in third. Get the results, chart, and photos here.
- 2024 Kentucky Derby Field - Photos for each horse from the post parade plus where they finished and a link to their profile.
- Kentucky Derby Undercard Stakes Results - There were 7 other graded stakes on the card with the Derby, including the Old Forester Turf Classic (G1) won by Program Trading, the Churchill Distaff Turf Mile (G2) won by Chili Flag, the Derby City Distaff (G1) won by Vahva, the Churchill Downs Stakes (G1) won by Gun Pilot, the American Turf (G2) won by Trikari, the Pat Day Mile (G2) won by Seize the Grey, and the Twin Spires Turf Sprint (G2) won by Cogburn. Get the results, charts, and photos here.
- Thorpedo Anna wins the 2024 Kentucky Oaks (G1) - Friday at Churchill Downs, Thorpedo Anna led wire to wire to win the Kentucky Oaks (G1) by a 4 3/4 lengths in the slop with favorite Just F Y I second and Regulatory Risk third. Get the results, chart, and photos here.
- Kentucky Oaks Undercard Stakes Results - There were 6 other stakes on the card today with the Oaks, including the La Troienne (G1) won by idiomatic, the Alysheba (G2) won by First Mission, the Eight Belles (G2) won by My Mane Squeeze, the Edgewood Stakes (G2) won by Dynamic Pricing, the Modesty (G3) won by Fast as Flight, and the Unbridled Sidney won by Ova Charged. Get the results, charts, and photos here.
- Thursday Kentucky Derby Photos - 18 Kentucky Derby horses and 12 Kentucky Oaks fillies from Thursday morning at Churchill Downs plus a loose horse caught right in front of me! Tapit Jenallie was scratched from the Oaks.
- Wednesday Kentucky Derby Photos - 15 Kentucky Derby horses and 14 Kentucky Oaks fillies from Wednesday morning on the track or paddock schooling at Churchill Downs.
- 2024 Kentucky Derby Analysis - Our annual analysis of the top contenders to try and select a winner by matching each to the profile of a Kentucky Derby winner using many of the more popular angles and statistical trends. This year there is a clear winner followed by a 3-way tie, but the favorite isn't up there!
- 2024 Kentucky Derby Tuesday Photos - Photos and comments for 15 of the Derby horses and 12 Oaks fillies from Tuesday morning April 30, including timed works for both Japanese horses - Forever Young and T O Password.
- Kentucky Derby Entries - A field of 20 plus two also-eligibles were entered for the 150th Kentucky Derby on Saturday. Florida Derby winner Fierceness was set as the morning line favorite at 5-1 from post 17. Get all the horses, post positions, morning line odds, and free past performances here.
- 2024 Kentucky Oaks Entries - On Saturday the post positions were drawn for the 150th Longines Kentucky Oaks and a full field of 14 3-year-old fillies plus two also-eligibles made the entry box, with 7-2 morning line favorite Tarifa drawing post 8. Get the horses, post positions, and free past performances here.
- Derby Workout Notes: 4/23, 4/24, 4/25, 4/26, 4/27, 4/28, 4/29
- Kentucky Derby Winners and Auction Prices - Bigger may seem better, but in the case of Kentucky Derby horses who sold at auction, less is more. Here is a look at how (badly) high priced auction purchases have done in the Kentucky Derby and the auction prices for this year's top Derby horses.
- Derby Weather Forecasts - up to 15 days in advance
- Kentucky Derby Points List - this is what determines which horses can get in the Kentucky Derby field.
- 2024 Road to the Kentucky Derby - All the point earning races on the Triple Crown Trail leading up to the Kentucky Derby with results and winners updated as they are run.
- Kentucky Derby Tickets - See what is for sale on Ebay. Includes tickets and parking.
- 2024 Kentucky Derby And Oaks Security - New enhanced stricter rules with no onsite parking were enforced in 2018, and are in effect again this year. Be sure to read the rules if you are attending. There will still be magnetic wand searches of all patrons and many things are no longer allowed. Check here to make sure you don't bring anything they will confiscate.
- Kentucky Derby Future Wager - This year there are 6 pools starting in November of 2023 plus a single pool for the Oaks.
- Kentucky Derby Prep Races - What races should a horse prep in to win the Kentucky Derby? Some races may seem obvious, but have not produced a Derby winner in many years. Find out which races are the best preps here.
- Derby prep race charts - free from DRF
- Kentucky Derby Traditions - Find out all about the big Derby Traditions: the rose garland, the trophy, the Twin Spires, mint juleps, singing "My Old Kentucy Home", fancy hats, celebrities and the annual Derby glasses.
- Fillies in the Kentucky Derby - a look at the 39 fillies who have contested the Run for the Roses and how they did. So far there have been 3 wins, 2 seconds, and 5 thirds.
- Kentucky Derby official site - lots of good info and the latest news here
- Louisville Courier Journal coverage - one of your best news sources for the Derby
- Blood Horse Triple Crown Mania - lots of good info here
- DRF Kentucky Derby Special - Lots of good info like past winners preps, contenders, past performances, and latest news.
- Review: Kentucky Derby Greatest Moments - Commemorative DVD from Churchill Downs with video from 27 different runnings along with interviews, photos, and historical info. Definitely recommended for any racing fan!
- Review: Churchill Downs - America's Most Historic Racetrack by Kimberly Gatto. An entertaining and informative account of the history of the track and it's most famous race, the Kentucky Derby, with lots of photos. Definitely recommended.
- Review: Kentucky Derby Glasses Price Guide - A Comprehensive Guide to Collecting Kentucky Derby Mint Julep Glasses and Shot Glasses edited by Judy Marchman
- Triple Crown Trivia Quiz - test your knowledge of the Derby, Preakness, and Belmont and compete with others.
- Buy advance tickets for the Derby and Oaks - from Churchill Downs and save $5 over the gate price on general admission
- Kentucky Derby Tickets on Ebay
- Triple Crown Trivia Quiz - test your knowledge of the Derby, Preakness, and Belmont and compete with others.
- Send this page to a friend - know someone who would like to see this page? Click here to send them the link.
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