History of Kentucky Derby winners as race for Triple Crown begins

The 151st moving of the Kentucky Derby volition instrumentality spot aboriginal today.

But determination volition beryllium plentifulness of enactment astatine Chruchill Downs each Saturday earlier the famed equine contention makes its last crook during "the astir breathtaking 2 minutes successful sports."

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The Churchhill Downs Racetrack spires. (Salgu Wissmath/ Courier Journal / USA Today Network via Imagn Images)

Just 20 horses volition participate the starting gross connected Saturday evening, moments earlier they volition tally successful the Kentucky Derby. Earning a spot connected the storied Churchill Downs way isn't easy. The horses spell crossed the U.S. and the world, competing successful a bid of prime races. If they gain capable points, they get 1 of the 20 spots astatine the Kentucky Derby.

2025 KENTUCKY DERBY ODDS, PREDICTIONS: FAVORITES, PICKS

As acold arsenic favorites go, Journalism is the odds-on choice. Justify's 2018 triumph marks the past clip a morning-line favourite has won astatine Churchill Downs. Justify went connected to triumph the coveted Triple Crown that year.

At past year's "Run for the Roses," Mystik Dan narrowly bushed retired Sierra Leone and Forever Young successful a historical photograph finish.

Here's a database of Kentucky Derby winners from the past quarter-century:

• 2024: Mystik Dan
• 2023: Mage
• 2022: Rich Strike
• 2021: Mandaloun
• 2020: Authentic
• 2019: Country House
• 2018: Justify
• 2017: Nyquist
• 2016: Nyquist
• 2015: American Pharoah
• 2014: California Chrome
• 2013: Orb
• 2012: I'll Have Another
• 2011: Animal Kingdom
• 2010: Super Saver
• 2009: Mine That Bird
• 2008: Big Brown
• 2007: Street Sense
• 2006: Barbaro
• 2005: Giacomo
• 2004: Smarty Jones
• 2003: Funny Cide
• 2002: War Emblem
• 2001: Monarchos
• 2000: Fusaichi Pegasus

The implicit database of winners is disposable connected the Kentucky Derby's website.

Weather is expected to interaction Saturday's event. While determination were immoderate concerns that rainfall would autumn during the 2024 Kentucky Derby, it yet held off. Churchill Down trackgoers did woody with rainfall connected Friday. If rainfall returns connected Saturday, it could make immoderate muddy conditions. 

Trackgoers woody with rain, astatine Churchill Downs connected Oaks Day, 1 time earlier the 151th moving of the Kentucky Derby. Friday, May 2, 2025. (Frankie Steele/Special to Courier Journal / USA Today Network via Imagn Images)

The 2018 and 2019 races marked the astir caller instances erstwhile horses and jockeys person contended with immoderate important weather.  

FOX Weather forecasts a 94% accidental of rainfall successful Louisville connected a chiefly cloudy day. Highs are expected to beryllium successful the debased 60s. The Kentucky Derby has ne'er been canceled solely owed to weather.

How overmuch volition this year's Kentucky Derby champion win?

The Kentucky Derby boasts the astir lucrative purse of the Triple Crown events. This year's derby victor volition gain a $3.1 cardinal of a $5 cardinal purse. The fig represents a $2 cardinal summation from the sum successful 2023. The runner-up volition person a $1 cardinal prize, portion third-place volition unafraid $500,000. 

Lastly, the fourth-place finisher volition instrumentality location $250,000, and 5th spot volition get $150,000.

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Post clip is acceptable for 6:57 p.m. ET from Churchill Downs successful Louisville, Kentucky.

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