all in Triple Crown

The long, rich history of the Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve stretches back over 150 years to its inaugural running in 1875. By reviewing decades of Kentucky Derby results for commonalities uniting past winners (or losers), handicappers can build a profile of a typical Kentucky Derby champion that we can use to identify the most likely winner each year.

The Kentucky Oaks began as a companion to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve, much as the English Oaks at Epsom serves as the female version of the prestigious Derby.

Up to 20 lightly raced 3-year-old Thoroughbreds get loaded into the starting gate with somewhere in the neighborhood of 150,000 fans (many well-lubricated) whipped into a frenzy. Approximately two minutes after the horses begin the cavalry charge down the stretch for the first time, a new Kentucky Derby winner is feted in the winner’s circle.

Each spring America’s Best Racing compiles a slideshow with photos of the talented cast of 3-year-olds on target for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve. 

The three races that comprise the historic Triple Crown series are awash in stories of both people and horses, the names that inspire generations of racing fans to dive into the recounting of the tales of these essential moments. As we count down to the first Saturday in May, why not pass the days leading up to Triple Crown by revisiting the names and faces that make up the history of these iconic races? These 13 titles can bring readers a new perspective on some of the sport’s icons, both equine and human.

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