Throughout Turfway Park's road to the Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve this winter, Fulleffort could never be accused of lacking effort despite his deep-closing efforts coming up just short in second in two previous stakes attempts for trainer
Being a professional jockey is an incredibly tough calling. Guiding a half-ton-plus racehorse around an oval while making split-second decisions at speeds of about 35 miles per hour – all while trying to maintain a weight of about 120 pounds – is not a profession for the faint of heart.
The biggest upset in the 112-year history of the Louisiana Derby was every bit a longshot.
Hero of Order entered the 2012 Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds with 13 races and only one victory on his résumé for a little-known trainer from Russia, former jockey Gennadi Dorochenko, who had never won a graded stakes.
BloodHorse news editor Byron King presents his weekly Derby Dozen for 2026, with a look at his leading contenders for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve on May 2.
