Some Facts about Churchill Downs Race Track

Before the effects of the Great Depression impacted the Kentucky Derby. Every year since 1875, this race has been held at Churchill Downs racetrack in Louisville, Kentucky. Horse breeding and racing are extremely popular in Kentucky. Horse racing in Louisville dates back to 1789, when races were held down Market Street. During a trip abroad in 1872-1873, 26-year-old Colonel M. Lewis Clark came up with a plan to create the Louisville Jockey Club for conducting race meets, after meeting with prominent racing leaders in France and England. When he returned, Clark developed a racetrack, which would become known as Churchill Downsand would showcase Kentucky's breeding industry.

The Kentucky Derby, held the first Saturday in May, is the first "leg," or competition, of horse racing's "Triple Crown." Can you name the other two races? They are the Preakness Stakes in Maryland and the Belmont Stakes in New York.

Today the Kentucky Derby and Churchill Downs face serious challenges from other gambling arenas and most of the same issues it has always faced. By 1996 the purse for the Kentucky Derby had reached $1 million. The Churchill Downs' board has committed itself to a $50 million makeover, while the track's name and twin-spired logo are zealously guarded corporate trademarks. But whatever the difficulties the board faces, whatever challenges confront racing, the Derby or the Downs, the fact remains the Derby has been run every year since 1875. It is a national treasure, and one which the state of Kentucky and city of Louisville cherish as an integral part of its culture. Simply put, and without exaggeration or insincerity, there is no greater moment in the state than the call to the Derby post. The excitement, the sentimentality, the Derby betting and the Derby parties, the mint juleps after a two-week Dery Festival--there is simply no other sporting event in the world whose spirit flows more thoroughly through the blood of its fans.

 

Did you know?

 

Horse racing in Kentucky is rich in history, dating back to 1789 when the first race course was laid out in Lexington. However, it was almost 100 years later, in 1875,  that Churchill Downs officially opened and began its tradition as "Home of the Kentucky Derby."

 

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2011 Kentucky Derby 137th Contenders

2011 Kentucky Derby Entries
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 Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings LLC
Alternation Donnie K. Von Hemel Luis S. Quinonez Pin Oak Stable Pin Oak Stud, LLC
Animal Kingdom Wayne M. Catalano Robby Albarado Team Valor International Team Valor
Anthony's Cross Eoin G. Harty Joel Rosario A D K Racing George Strawbridge Jr.
Archarcharch William H. Fires Jon Kenton Court Robert Yagos Grapestock LLC
Arthur's Tale Thomas Albertrani Charles C. Lopez Darley Stable Stone Farm
Astrology Steven M. Asmussen Garrett K. Gomez Stonestreet Stables and Bolton, George Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings LLC
Awesome Bet Steven M. Asmussen Shaun Bridgmohan Mike McCarty Phillips Racing Partnership
Awesome Patriot Bob Baffert Rafael Bejarano Lanni Family Trust Colts Neck Stables LLC
Bandbox Rodney Jenkins Travis L. Dunkelberger Hillwood Stable LLC New Dawn Thoroughbreds & Aron Yagoda
Banned Thomas F. Proctor Joel Rosario Glen Hill Farm Kenneth L. Ramsey & Sarah K. Ramsey
Beamer Carl A. Nafzger Leandro R. Goncalves Jim Tafel LLC Jim Tafel, LLC
Bench Points Tim Yakteen Alonso Quinonez Crevier, Donnie, Mariani, Linda, Martin, Charles and Zuraitis, Mary Jo Gary Rocks
Bert B Don David Fawkes Daniel Centeno Monarch Stables, Inc. Starlight Stables 1, LLC
Bind Albert M. Stall, Jr. A. R. Napravnik Claiborne Farm and Dilschneider, Adele B. Claiborne Farm
Biondetti Mahmood Al Zarooni Ahmed Ajtebi Godolphin Racing, LLC Lessee Palides Investments N.V., Inc
Black N Beauty Dale L. Romans Kent J. Desormeaux Zayat Stables, LLC Adena Springs
Blue Laser Mark E. Casse Shaun Bridgmohan WinStar Farm LLC WinStar Farm, LLC
Bowman's Causeway Patrick L. Biancone Julien R. Leparoux Martin S. Schwartz Adena Springs
Break Up the Game Claude R. McGaughey III David Cohen Phipps Stable Phipps Stable
Brethren Todd A. Pletcher Ramon A. Dominguez WinStar Farm LLC WinStar Farm, LLC
Bug Juice Bruce N. Levine Javier Castellano Our Blue Streaks Stable Milfer Farm Inc.
Cal Nation Todd A. Pletcher John R. Velazquez WinStar Farm LLC WinStar Farm, LLC
Caleb's Posse Donnie K. Von Hemel Eusebio Razo, Jr. McNeill Stables, LLC and Cheyenne Stables, LLC Don C. McNeill
Cane Garden Bay George R. Arnold, II Julien R. Leparoux Wind River Stables Atlas Farm et al
Casper's Touch Kenneth G. McPeek Alex O. Solis Magdalena Racing (Susan McPeek, et al) Daniel J Burke
Changing the Rules Steven M. Asmussen Shaun Bridgmohan Vinery Stables Mr. & Mrs. S. H. Rogers Jr.
Charlies Swell Nicholas P. Zito Jose Lezcano My Meadowview Farm My Meadowview LLC
Classic Legacy Bob Baffert Garrett K. Gomez Lanni Family Trust, Schiappa, B. and Jones, K. Maria Camperlengo
Coil Bob Baffert Joel Rosario Watson, Karl, Pegram, Michael E. and Weitman, Paul Glen Hill Farm
Comma to the Top Peter Miller Corey S. Nakatani Barber, Gary, Birnbaum, Roger and Tsujihara, Kevin Richard Thompson & Linda Thompson
Commander J. Larry Jones Terry J. Thompson Fox Hill Farms, Inc. Paragon Farms, LLC
Commonwealth Rush Tim A. Ice Paco Lopez Bluegrass Legacy Equine Bloodstock Holdings LLC
Cool Blue Red Hot Angel J. Penna, Jr. Rajiv Maragh Bakke, Jim and Isbister, Gerry Ted O'Neill
Crimson China H. Graham Motion Rajiv Maragh Team Valor International Plantation Stud/Silver Springs Stud Farm
Crossed the Line Justin Sallusto Jose Valdivia, Jr. Sallusto, Nick and Bulger, Joseph Judy B. Hicks
Da Ruler Bob Baffert Mike E. Smith Watson and Weitman Performances LLC Watson & Weitma Performance LLC
Dance City Todd A. Pletcher John R. Velazquez Estate of Edward P. Evans Edward P. Evans
Dancinginherdreams (F) John T. Ward, Jr. Julien R. Leparoux John C. Oxley Nancy Shuford
Decisive Moment Juan D. Arias Kerwin D. Clark Just For Fun Stable Just For Fun Stables
Dialed In Nicholas P. Zito Julien R. Leparoux Robert V. LaPenta W. S. Farish, Madeleine Pickens & Skara Glen Stables
Disfraz Eddie Kenneally Julien R. Leparoux Haras Buen Borincano Stable Haras Buen Borincano I, INC
Dixie Cross John W. Sadler Rafael Bejarano Desert Sun Stables and Fitzpatrick, Randy Domino Stud of Lexington, LLC
Dixon Lane Steven M. Asmussen Shaun Bridgmohan TYB Stable Walton Breeding
Dominus Steven M. Asmussen Julien R. Leparoux Bolton, George, Stonestreet Stables, Spendthrift Farm Edward P. Evans
El Grayling Michael J. Maker Rajiv Maragh Conway, F. Thomas and Matt and Hemberger, Steve Nolan Creek Farm & Adena Springs
Elite Alex Timothy F. Ritchey Calvin H. Borel Elite Alex LLC Allison Register
Fairview Heights Todd A. Pletcher John R. Velazquez Melnyk Racing Stables, Inc. Eugene Melnyk
Financial Empire Todd A. Pletcher Eibar Coa Brushwood Stable St. George Farm LLC
Fire with Fire William I. Mott Alex Solis WinStar Farm LLC Distorted Humor (USA) - Cosmic Fire (USA)
Fort Hughes Kiaran P. McLaughlin Eddie Castro Darley Stable Darley
Frankel Cecil Henry Queally Tom Khalid Abdullah Juddmonte Farms LTD
Free Entry Chad C. Brown Alan Garcia Gary and Mary West Stables, Inc. Corner Farm & Raul Lottero
Fusa Code Steven M. Asmussen Justin Shepherd Zollars, M. Cathy and R.L. Bob Northwest Farms LLC
Gallant Dreams Thomas Albertrani David Cohen Live Oak Plantation Live Oak Stud
Gold Raptor Linda Rice Cornelio H. Velasquez Hibiscus Stables LLC Dennis Petrisak
Gourmet Dinner Steven W. Standridge Ramon A. Dominguez Our Sugar Bear Stable Ocala Stud Farm & William J. Terrill
Grande Shores Stanley I. Gold/td> Jeffrey Sanchez Jacks or Better Farm, Inc. Jacks or Better Farm Inc.
Grant Jack W. Bret Calhoun M. Clifton Berry Sanders, Wayne and Hirsch, Larry Nancy S. Dillman
Grip Hands Craig Dollase Joel Rosario West Point Thoroughbreds Adena Springs
Hammersmith Todd A. Pletcher Eibar Coa Michael B. Tabor Chelston
Heron Lake Nicholas P. Zito Julien R. Leparoux Robert V. LaPenta G. Watts Humphrey Jr.
I'm Steppin' It Up Anthony Pecoraro Jorge F. Chavez Roman Hill Farm Thomas L Croley
Indian Winter Jerry Hollendorfer Juan G. Rivera Abruzzo, Peter, Carver, John, Hollendorfer, Jerry and Todaro, George Larry Byer
Industry Leader Kristin Mulhall Victor Espinoza Dimitri Racing Stable, Inc. and Twilight Racing, LLC J. Mack Robinson LLC
J J's Lucky Train William D. Anderson Jose C. Ferrer Fresh Start Stable Eico Stable
JP's Gusto
Jakesam
Jaycito
Justin Phillip
Kathmanblu (F)
King Congie
Lauburu
Leave of Absence
Machen
Majestic Harbor
Major Gain
Manicero
Monzon
Mountain Town
Mucho Macho Man
Nacho Business
New Hyde Park (F)
Norman Asbjornson
Oh Canada
Pants On Fire
Pathfork
Pleasant Run
Poseidons Warrior
Positive Response
Premier Pegasus
Pride of Silver
Prime Cut
Printing Press
Quail Hill
Queensplatekitten
Read the Contract
Rescind the Trade
Ribo Bobo
Riveting Reason
Rocking Out
Rogue Romance
Runflatout
Russian Lane
Rustler Hustler
Santiva
Sequoia Warrior
Shackleford
Shadow Warrior
Silent Sunday
Silver Medallion
Sinai
Smash
Soldat
Sour
Sovereign Default
Stay Thirsty
Sway Away
Sweet Ducky
Tech Fall
The Factor
The Fed Eased
Thirtyfirststreet
To Honor and Serve
Tobys Corner
Travelin Man
Turbulent Descent (F)
Twinspired
Uncle Mo
Vengeful Wildcat
Washington's Rules
Wilkinson
Willcox Inn
Wine Police
Yankee Passion

Kentucky Derby Winners

2011 Kentucky Derby winner: Animal Kingdom

The first jewel in the Triple Crown, the Run for the Roses offers the largest purse - $2,000,000 - bringing out all of the best 3 year-olds up to the challenge.

Animal Kingdom, who had never raced on dirt before, reacted to his new rider the way a champion should, charging down the middle of the stretch to win by 2 3/4 lengths in front of a crowd of 164,858, the largest in Derby history.

2010 Kentucky Derby Winner


Super Saver Wins Kentucky Derby 2011. Jockey Calvin Borel captures his third Kentucky Derby in four years with the win aboard Super Saver.

The jockey's magic touch on his home track gave trainer Todd Pletcher his first Derby victory after 24 failures with a 2½-length victory over Ice Box.
2009 kentucky derby winner

The 2009 Kentucky Derby results are in and Mine That Bird won the the jewel in the Triple Crown of Racing as a 50 to 1 long shot today.

Mine That Bird is the long-shot winner of the 135th Kentucky Derby held Saturday, May 2nd at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. The Derby featured a full lineup of 19 three-year-olds, after favorite I Want Revenge scratched this morning due to a weak left hoof, in the run for the roses and $2 million first prize.

Mine That Bird paid $103.20 after covering 1 1/4 miles in 2:02.66 seconds over a sloppy racetrack. The win payoff was the second-largest in Derby history behind the 1913 Derby winner Donerail that went off at 91.5 to 1 odds. The final 2009 Kentucky Derby Results & Payouts are official.

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