Uncover the Post-Derby Stories of Racing Legends
2024 Kentucky Derby
In 2024, a pair of Kentucky Derby entrants raced in allowance company at Gulfstream. Catalytic showed great potential by finishing second, beaten only a head in a 1 1/16-mile first-level dirt allowance. Mugatu, on the other hand, raced in a first-level allowance at a mile and 70 yards on the Tapeta but couldn't rally and finished seventh and last. Two other 2024 Derby horses are entered in races on Saturday. Track Phantom steps up to stakes company in the Tenacious at Fair Grounds, drawing the fence in a field of eight. Epic Ride returns to Turfway after his second-place finish in the John Battaglia Memorial in March, drawing the outside in an eight-horse, second-level allowance at six furlongs on the Tapeta. West Saratoga, who was most recently ninth in an allowance at Churchill Downs, was sold privately to RRR Racing and transferred to the barn of Doug Watson, one of the leading trainers in Dubai. Watson is considering mile races late in this winter's meet and in the future for West Saratoga.
These 2024 Derby alumni are continuing to make their mark in the racing world, each with their own unique stories and paths.
2023 Kentucky Derby
Four entrants from the 2023 Kentucky Derby have raced in the last month. Skinner won the Native Diver (G3) at Del Mar by a length over Tarantino, having been second in the same race in 2023 and achieving his first graded victory. Hit Show placed fifth in the Clark (G2) on Nov. 29 as the 3-2 favorite but was disqualified to fifth after bumping with Crupi late. Mandarin Hero finished third in the Tokai Kikuya Sho at Nagoya on Nov. 21, a solid reversal of form after an 11th-place finish at Oi the month before. Jace’s road dropped to the straight claiming ranks for the first time ever on Thursday at Turfway, running for a $50,000 tag and finishing third behind favored First Strike. Three others are entered in the coming days. Rocket Can steps back up to graded-stakes company Saturday at Gulfstream for the Harlan’s Holiday (G3), while Confidence Game will take on a strong field in the Tenacious at Fair Grounds. Raise Cain is cross-entered in allowance races Friday and Saturday at Oaklawn.
The 2023 Derby alumni are showing their versatility and determination on the racetrack.
2022 Kentucky Derby
Three entrants from the 2022 Kentucky Derby have recently raced. Rattle N Roll won the Clark (G2) at Churchill on Nov. 29, proving his class after a yearlong layoff. Crown Pride finished 11th in the Champions Cup (G1) at Chukyo on Dec. 1, and Tiz the Bomb was eighth in a starter allowance at Tampa Bay Downs on Saturday. Ethereal Road is expected to return to action Saturday in an allowance optional claimer at a mile on the dirt at Oaklawn. He drew post 7 of eight, in a race likely to feature Raise Cain as well. Three others from the 2022 Derby field have been retired recently. Classic Causeway will stand for $6,500 at Crestwood Farm, Messier will begin his stud career in New York for a fee of $5,000 at Rockridge Stud, and Barber Road will get a break before returning as a barn pony for his trainer.
The 2022 Derby alumni are taking different paths in their post-racing careers.
2021 Kentucky Derby
Three horses from the 2021 Kentucky Derby class have raced in recent weeks. Like the King finished sixth in an allowance-level turf mile at Tampa Bay Downs. Brooklyn Strong also returned to action Friday at Parx, entering a conditioned $10,000 claiming race going 1 1/16 miles and drawing the outside post. These horses are still making their presence felt on the racetrack.
Each year's Kentucky Derby alumni has a story to tell, and these are just a few examples of their post-racing adventures.
2020 Kentucky Derby
Storm the Court, the 2019 champion juvenile, has been retired and will stand for $2,000 at Eclipse Thoroughbred Training and Sports Therapy in California. He had a successful career on the racetrack, finishing sixth in the 2020 Kentucky Derby and amassing a 30: 2-4-7 record in six seasons. These 2020 Derby alumni are leaving their mark in different ways.
The Kentucky Derby alumni continue to inspire and be a part of the racing world in various ways.
2019 Kentucky Derby
The 2019 Kentucky Derby field has been relatively quiet in the last month, but Long Range Toddy, Gray Magician and Tax have either worked or raced. Each horse has its own story and contribution to the racing world.
Even after the Derby, these horses continue to be a part of the racing narrative.