Florida Numbers in Kentucky Derby

Although winter weather continues throughout much of the country this time of year, spring typically comes to Florida much earlier and with it the excitement of the road to the Kentucky Derby and trail to the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred racing.

Whether one owns, trains or bred a contender for the Run for the Roses; or a potential Kentucky Derby runner or runners are graduates of your early training program or auction consignment, the thrill of participating in—or winning—an iconic sporting event such as the Kentucky Derby is without comparison.

According to the Kentucky Derby media guide, Florida breeders have produced 114 Kentucky Derby starters going back to 1966, but that does not include Needles (1956) and Carry Back (1961), both of whom won the Kentucky Derby; and Ishkoodah (1964), Roman Brother (1964), Flag Raiser (1965), Mr. Pak (1965) and Hail to All (1965). In total, there have been 121 Florida-bred starters in the Kentucky Derby.

By comparison, since 1966, California has produced 36 Kentucky Derby starters, New York (25), Maryland (21) and Pennsylvania (14).

In addition to Needles and Carry Back, Floridabred winners of the Kentucky Derby include Foolish Pleasure (1975), Affirmed (1978), Unbridled (1990) and Silver Charm (1997). Florida-bred Medina Spirit won the 2021 Kentucky Derby but was disqualified and placed last because of a medication violation. That case remains in court as of this writing.

There are also a dozen other Florida-breds who finished in the first three in their respective Kentucky Derby. They include Francie’s Hat (third, 1968), My Dad George (second, 1970), High Echelon (third, 1970), Honest Pleasure (second, 1976), Reinvested (third, 1982), Laser Light (second, 1982), Captain

Bodgit (second, 1997), Peace Rules (third, 2003), Afleet Alex (third, 2005), Closing Argument (second, 2005), Denis of Cork (third, 2008) and Mucho Macho Man, (third, 2011).

Outside of Kentucky, which has produced 114 winners with Last Strike’s victory in 2022, Virginia and California are closest to Florida in producing Derby winners with four each followed by Tennessee with three. Canada, England, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Texas have each produced two Derby winners.

Florida does not just send numbers to Kentucky for the first Saturday in May but quality as well. Sunshine State breeders have also produced Derby post time favorites Needles (1.6-1 odds in 1956), Carry Back (2.5-1 odds in 1961), My Dad George (2.8-1 odds in 1970), Foolish Pleasure (1.9-1 odds in 1975) Honest Pleasure (2-5 odds in 1976), Proud Appeal (2.3-1 odds as part of an entry in 1981), Total Departure (2.4-1 odds as part of an entry in 1983), Mister Frisky (1.9-1 odds in 1990), Holy Bull (2.2-1 odds in 1994), Captain Bodgit (3.1-1 odds in 1997) and Bellamy Road (2.6-1 odds in 2005).

Other Florida-breds who were highly regarded (with post time odds less than 5-1) going into the Kentucky Derby starting gate but were not the favorites include Hail to All (3.8-1 odds in 1965), Top Knight (2.3-1 odds in 1969), J. R.’s Pet (3.4-1 odds in 1974), Affirmed (1.81 odds in 1978), Muttering (4.2-1 odds in 1982) Brocco (4.3-1 odds in 1994) Silver Charm (4-1 odds in 1997) and Afleet Alex (4.5-1 odds in 2005).

As the weather continues to warm and this class of sophomore Thoroughbreds pursue points for a place in the Kentucky Derby starting gate, this year set to run on May 6, we will see if those Florida-bred numbers grow. TFH