Welcome to Kentucky Derby Prospect Profiles, where we take a look each week at a recent winner on the Road to the Derby schedule that offers qualifying points for the 1 ¼-mile classic race May 3, 2025, at Churchill Downs.
Fair Grounds’ path to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve reaches its end Saturday with the $1 million, Grade 2 Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby. The field will travel 1 3/16 miles on dirt in this race, making the Louisiana Derby the longest U.S. Kentucky Derby prep.
Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas’ entrant in the March 15 Virginia Derby delivered a career-best effort to finish 7 3/4 lengths ahead of runner-up Render Judgment, setting a track record for 1 1/8 miles on the dirt at Colonial Downs.
The first decade of the 20th Century is known for horses like Beldame, Colin, and Sysonby, names that have left their mark on the sport from races in their honor to spots in the Racing Hall of Fame. These years also saw other greats, like Broomstick, Sweep, and Celt, stars on the racetrack and later in the breeding shed.
More than 75 years ago, Citation unleashed the greatest 3-year-old season in Thoroughbred racing. Blessed with genuine speed, staying power, and a seemingly endless desire to win, Citation inspired his handler Jimmy Jones to boldly say: "My horse could beat anything with hair on it."
