#KENTUCKY DERBY
Here’s Lookin’ At You, Nyquist
A camera mounted on the inside of the starting gate gives us a cool new look at Nyquist, winner of the 2016 Kentucky Derby.
Nyquist won the 2016 Kentucky Derby last weekend as the heavy favorite, and there’s little doubt he’ll go into the Preakness Stakes with the same short odds. Trainer Doug O’Neill constantly describes Nyquist as a professional who hits the track for workouts or races with a professional attitude — but it didn’t really hit home what “professionalism” looks like in a racehorse until I saw this video.
This unique camera angle offers us a view that few have ever seen as we watch Nyquist load into the starting gate at Churchill Downs:
Nyquist is clearly on a hair trigger, ready to launch out of that starting gate and thunder his way to victory, and yet he walks politely into the gate and waits, well, as patiently as we can expect. Respect for the assistant starters, who have an often-overlooked but incredibly dangerous job in loading and then standing each horse in close quarters in the starting gates!
Keep it locked on Horse Nation for more updates from the Triple Crown trail!
Go riding!
Nyquist Keeps Perfect Record With Win in the 2016 Kentucky Derby
Going eight for eight, Nyquist put in a perfect performance to keep his perfect race record intact. Watch the Kentucky Derby replay here!
How to Make a Mint Julep
Here’s a tutorial on this all-important Derby Day skill.
#FailFriday, Kentucky Derby Edition
These champion racehorses seemed like a lock for the Derby win… until they picked the most important race of their life to run their worst race ever. Heather Benson counts ‘em down.
The Kentucky Derby hype machine is at a fever pitch and everyone has their pick to win the big race.
But much like meteorologists predicting the weather, predicting a horse’s performance is a crapshoot at best. Hype tends to slam into reality on the first Saturday in May and one bad day at the track can mean the difference between destiny and destitution.
And so we present some of the biggest fails in Kentucky Derby history:
#4: Himyar — 1878 Kentucky Derby
Sure, it was 1878 and the Kentucky Derby wasn’t even a big deal yet, but Himyar still managed to catch the attention of the nation after a series of scintillating wins at age 2. He went into the Derby as the shortest priced favorite (1-4 odds) in history and lost by two lengths to Day Star. He did make up for in a way, by siring 1898 Kentucky Derby winner Plaudit.
Himyar. Photo courtesy of thevaulthorseracing.com.
#3: Native Dancer — 1953 Kentucky Derby
The “Grey Ghost” was undefeated in nine races at age 2 and crowned Champion 2-Year-Old Colt in 1953, with many viewing him as the Horse of the Year as well. He was just as sparkling at 3 and went into the Kentucky Derby still undefeated. As it happened, that Derby would be the only race he ever lost after being fouled twice during the race and losing by a narrow margin to victor Dark Star.
Native Dancer. Photo courtesy of thevaulthorseracing.com.
#2: Arazi — 1992 Kentucky Derby
During the 1991 Breeder’s Cup Juvenile, held that year at Churchill Downs, Arazi had put on a performance that made him look like the second coming of Secretariat. Shipped back to his native France to condition for the following year’s American classic, he underwent a minor surgery and never again showed the same sparkle, despite the public still favoring overwhelming to win. He placed 8th behind Lil E Tee.
Holy Bull. Photo courtesy of whitehorseproductions.com.
#1. Friesan Fire — 2009 Kentucky Derby
He may not have the household name status as some of the other Derby fails, but his Derby failure wasn’t pretty. After wins in the entire 3-year-old stakes series at the Fairgrounds Race Course, including the Grade I Louisiana Derby, he was on the board as the Derby favorite. Not only did he manage to lose and place nearly last, he lost to 50-1 longshot Mine That Bird. Double fail!
Friesan Fire. Photo courtesy of bloodhorse.com.
Go Riding.
2016 Kentucky Derby Need-to-Know Guide
All the links you need, plus one you don’t.
Infographic: The 2016 Kentucky Derby, By the Numbers
We’ve broken down the 2016 Kentucky Derby field to take a closer look at some random statistics, including coat color, sire and where each horse was bred.
American Pharoah Wins the Kentucky Derby
Out of one of the deepest and most talented fields in recent Derby history, American Pharoah edged out the win. (more…)
7 Horses That Weren’t Supposed To Win the Kentucky Derby, But Did
Americans love rooting for the underdog in any fight — especially America’s biggest horse race. Heather Benson counts down a few of the biggest upsets in Kentucky Derby history.
Top 5 Fails in Kentucky Derby History
These champion racehorses seemed like a lock for the Derby win… until they picked the most important race of their life to run their worst race ever. Heather Benson counts ‘em down.
The Kentucky Derby hype machine is at a fever pitch and everyone has their pick to win the big race.
But much like meteorologists predicting the weather, predicting a horse’s performance is a crapshoot at best. Hype tends to slam into reality on the first Saturday in May and one bad day at the track can mean the difference between destiny and destitution.
And so we present some of the biggest fails in Kentucky Derby history:
#5: Himyar — 1878 Kentucky Derby
Sure, it was 1878 and the Kentucky Derby wasn’t even a big deal yet, but Himyar still managed to catch the attention of the nation after a series of scintillating wins at age 2. He went into the Derby as the shortest priced favorite (1-4 odds) in history and lost by two lengths to Day Star. He did make up for in a way, by siring 1898 Kentucky Derby winner Plaudit.
Himyar. Photo courtesy of thevaulthorseracing.com.
#4: Native Dancer — 1953 Kentucky Derby
The “Grey Ghost” was undefeated in nine races at age 2 and crowned Champion 2-Year-Old Colt in 1953, with many viewing him as the Horse of the Year as well. He was just as sparkling at 3 and went into the Kentucky Derby still undefeated. As it happened, that Derby would be the only race he ever lost after being fouled twice during the race and losing by a narrow margin to victor Dark Star.
Native Dancer. Photo courtesy of thevaulthorseracing.com.
#3: Arazi — 1992 Kentucky Derby
During the 1991 Breeder’s Cup Juvenile, held that year at Churchill Downs, Arazi had put on a performance that made him look like the second coming of Secretariat. Shipped back to his native France to condition for the following year’s American classic, he underwent a minor surgery and never again showed the same sparkle, despite the public still favoring overwhelming to win. He placed 8th behind Lil E Tee.
Holy Bull. Photo courtesy of whitehorseproductions.com.
#1. Friesan Fire — 2009 Kentucky Derby
He may not have the household name status as some of the other Derby fails, but his Derby failure wasn’t pretty. After wins in the entire 3-year-old stakes series at the Fairgrounds Race Course, including the Grade I Louisiana Derby, he was on the board as the Derby favorite. Not only did he manage to lose and place nearly last, he lost to 50-1 longshot Mine That Bird. Double fail!
Friesan Fire. Photo courtesy of bloodhorse.com.
Go Riding.
2015 Kentucky Derby Need-To-Know Guide
All the links you need, and one you don’t.
2014 Kentucky Derby Replay & Full Results
Congratulations to California Chrome, the odds-on favorite who ran away with the win (and our hearts) in the world’s most famous race this evening. (more…)
2014 Kentucky Derby Need-to-know Guide
Here’s the basic information you need to watch and feel informed about this afternoon’s Run for the Roses in Louisville. (more…)
A Chronological Index of Kentucky Derby Winners: 1990-2013
From Unbridled to Orb, take a walk down memory lane and relive all your favorite Derby victories from the past two decades. (more…)
7 Horses That Weren’t Supposed To Win the Kentucky Derby, But Did
Americans love rooting for the underdog in any fight and we love nothing more than when the underdog takes home America’s biggest horse race. (more…)
A Chronological Index of Kentucky Derby Winners: 1970-1989
With three Triple Crown winners in the ’70s and several dramatic finishes in the ’80s, this was an exciting time for racing. (more…)
Top 5 Kentucky Derby Fails in History
These champion racehorses seemed like a lock for the Derby win… until they picked the most important race of their life to run their worst race ever. Heather Benson counts ’em down. (more…)
Hunter S. Thompson Goes to the Derby
Dramatic readings of this late gonzo journalist’s essay “The Kentucky Derby Is Decadent and Depraved” are something of a tradition here at Horse Nation. (more…)
A Chronological Index of Kentucky Derby Winners, Part 4: 1950-1969
With a purse now over $100,000, the Derby stakes got raised during this era, which was dominated by Calumet Farm horses. (more…)
2014 Kentucky Derby: Your HN Cheat Sheet, Part 2
Who should you put your money on this year? Heather Benson breaks down five betting strategies. (more…)
The Chrome Report: Getting to Know This Year’s Kentucky Derby Favorite
California Chrome may be the favorite in Saturday’s race, but he’s got underdog roots. Heather Benson explains. (more…)
A Chronological Index of Kentucky Derby Winners, Part 4: 1930-1949
Citation, Count Fleet, Whirlaway, War Admiral, Gallant Fox… this era was ruled by some of the greatest horses in racing sport history. (more…)
A Chronological Index of Kentucky Derby Winners, Part 3: 1910-1929
Can you imagine attending the Derby during the roaring ’20s? I bet that was a party. Enjoy these videos and photos of the winners of that era. (more…)