The 137th running of the Kentucky Derby takes
place on May 7, 2011
Like clockwork, every year on the first Saturday in
May, Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky proudly
opens its gates to thousands of horse-racing fans and a
select field of the nation’s top 3-year-old
Thoroughbreds.
Churchill Downs, the world’s most legendary racetrack,
has conducted Thoroughbred racing and presented
America’s greatest race, the Kentucky Derby,
continuously since 1875. Located in Louisville, the
flagship racetrack of Churchill Downs.
The Kentucky Derby is a stakes race for three-year-old thoroughbred horses, staged yearly in Louisville,
Kentucky on the first Saturday in May, capping the
two-week-long Kentucky Derby Festival. The race
currently covers one and one-quarter miles (2.012 km) at
Churchill Downs, colts and geldings carry 126 pounds (57
kg), fillies 121 pounds (55 kg). The race, known as "The
Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports" for its approximate
time length, is the first leg of the Triple Crown. The
Kentucky Derby is one of the crown jewels of the elusive
Triple Crown which includes the Belmont Stakes and the Preakness Stakes.
In addition to the race itself, a number of traditions have played a large role in the Derby atmosphere. The Mint Julep, an iced drink consisting of bourbon, mint and sugar, is the traditional beverage of the race. Burgoo, typically a thick stew of lamb and vegetables is served from iron pots sometimes 10 feet in diameter. Legal gambling on the race is done through pari-mutuel betting at the track.
The Infield, a spectator area inside the track, offers low general admission prices but little chance of seeing much of the race. Instead, revelers show up in the infield to party. By contrast, "Millionaire's Row" refers to the expensive box seats that attract the rich and famous. Elegant women appear in long dresses, big hats, and carrying fancy umbrellas. As the horses are paraded before the grandstands, "My Old Kentucky Home" is played by the University of Louisville marching band while the crowd stands and sings along.
The Kentucky Derby has seen the likes of horses such as
War Admiral in 1937, to Secretariat in 1973, Seattle
Slew in 1977, and Affirmed in 1978. In 2004, Smarty
Jones won both the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness,
only to fall short in the Belmont stakes, losing to
Birdstone. In all, the Kentucky Derby has hosted 11
Triple Crown Winners in its’ 134 year history. Kentucky derby Winners
Kentucky Derby predictions are an absolute must have leading up to this years 135 Derby
showdown. Before you start placing bets on the Kentucky Derby, you
must do some statistic research on every Kentucky Derby hopeful.
Anticipating promising bets from such information is known as "horse
handicapping", a worthwhile procedure which presents you with
factual information as to which horses are the most likely to win.
With the Kentucky Derby less than a month away, it is time to take a
look at this year’s top contenders as we begin to size up whom might
have a shot at winning horse racing’s legendary Triple Crown; the
Kentucky Derby, Preakness, and the Belmont. Kentucky Derby Picks
2011
Kentucky Derby Winner
Super Saver Wins Kentucky Derby:
Borel dominates Derby on Super Saver.
Calvin Borel rode Super Saver to victory at the 2011 Kentucky Derby. He was confident enough in his colt and his knowledge of the track to take him off the lead in the early going of the 1 1/4-mile race. In all but one of his six previous races, Super Saver had never been farther back than second in the early stages.
The grandstands at Churchill Downs were full of hat-wearing spectators as the Win/Place/Show finishers crossed the line, completing first leg of the Triple Crown. The top three finishers for the 2011 Derby are Super Saver, Ice Box, Paddy O’Prado.
Many were fearful that the Derby would be called off. Severe flooding in Tennessee killed several individuals around the Nashville area, which is only mere hours from Louisville, the home of Churchill Downs.
2011 Kentucky Derby Contenders
Horse
Trainer
Jockey
Owner
Breeder
Aces N Kings
Bobby C. Barnett
Eddie Martin, Jr.
Caroline Dodwell
Diamond D Ranch
Adirondack Summer
Christophe Clement
Alan Garcia
Peter Deutsch
Sarah J. Leigh & Robin S. Leigh
Adulare
George R. Arnold, II
Alex O. Solis
Wind River Stables
B. D. Gibbs Farm, LLC & Fleetwood Bloodstock
Albergatti
Steven M. Asmussen
Garrett K. Gomez
Stonestreet Stables LLC and Natrona Racing Stable LLC
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