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2018 Kentucky Derby

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The 2018 Kentucky Derby (officially, the 2018 Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve[4]) was the 144th running of the Kentucky Derby, and took place on Saturday, May 5, 2018, in Louisville, Kentucky. The field was open to 20 horses, with a purse of US$2 million.[5][6] The Derby is held annually in Louisville on the first Saturday in May, at the end of the two-week-long Kentucky Derby Festival. It is a Grade I stakes race for three-year-old Thoroughbreds at a distance of 1+1⁄4 miles (2.0 km), and has been run at Churchill Downs racetrack since its inception in 1875.[7]

144th Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby
Grade I stakes race
Logo for the 2018 Kentucky Derby
LocationChurchill Downs
Louisville, Kentucky, United States
DateMay 5, 2018 (2018-05-05)
Winning horseJustify[1]
Winning time2:04.20
Starting price2.90/1
JockeyMike Smith
TrainerBob Baffert
OwnerChina Horse Club, Head of Plains Partners, Starlight Racing, WinStar Farm
ConditionsSloppy (sealed)[2]
SurfaceDirt
Attendance157,813[3]
← 2017
2019 →

The race was broadcast by NBC, with coverage by NBCSN of undercard races beginning at 12:30pm EDT and main network coverage of pre-race activities starting at 2:30pm EDT.[8] Post time was 6:52pm EDT. The race was won by Justify, who was the post-time favorite, in a time of 2:04.20 over a sloppy track.[2] It is the first time since 1882 that the race was won by a horse that did not race at the age of two.[1]

Qualification

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Main article: 2018 Road to the Kentucky Derby

The Kentucky Derby is only open to three-year-old Thoroughbreds,[9] thus all entrants in the 2018 race were part of the 2015 North American live foal crop of roughly 22,000.[10] The field was limited to twenty horses who qualified based on points earned in the 2018 Road to the Kentucky Derby, a series of designated races that was first introduced in 2013. This point system replaced the previous graded stakes race earnings system.[11]

The top points earner in the 2018 series was Magnum Moon (150 points), winner of the Rebel Stakes and Arkansas Derby. Good Magic, the champion two-year-old from 2017, finished second in the series by winning both the Breeders' Cup Juvenile and the Blue Grass Stakes. The other major prep winners were Noble Indy (Louisiana Derby), Mendelssohn (UAE Derby), Audible (Florida Derby), Vino Rosso (Wood Memorial) and Justify (Santa Anita Derby).[12]

Churchill Downs also created separate qualification roads for horses based in Japan and Europe. None of the invitations for qualifiers on the Japan Road was accepted.[12] On the European Road, the connections of Gronkowski accepted after the colt qualified first.[13] However, the colt subsequently became ill and had to miss the race.[14]

Field

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The early favorite was Justify, who had made only three starts before the race but won each time with triple-digit Beyer Speed Figures. In the Derby, he had to surmount what came to be known as the "Curse of Apollo" – a reference to the fact that no horse had ever won the Derby without racing while at age two since Apollo in 1882. "Justify is a natural and he's still green, just learning how to run. He's so talented", said his trainer Bob Baffert. "But there are a lot of nice horses out there this year."[15]

Trainer Todd Pletcher, who won the 2017 Kentucky Derby with Always Dreaming, had four of the leading contenders: Magnum Moon, Audible, Vino Rosso, and Noble Indy. Magnum Moon was ranked number two on the National Thoroughbred Racing Association top three-year-old poll of April 16 after his win in the Arkansas Derby. He had made only four starts prior to the Kentucky Derby, like Justified not having raced at age two. Audible was ranked number three, while Vino Rosso and Noble Indy were ranked seventh and eighth respectively.[16][17]

The two colts with the best form at age two, Good Magic and Bolt d'Oro, were ranked fourth and fifth respectively on the same poll.[16] They were the winter-book favorites for the Derby, but both suffered training setbacks that delayed their return to the racetrack.[18] They both had one win from two starts at age three going into the Derby.[17]

Adding an international element to the field was Mendelssohn, trained in Ireland by Aidan O'Brien. Mendelssohn started his racing career on the turf and proved his ability to ship well by winning the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf at Del Mar in California in 2017. However, O'Brien felt that the colt would be equally suited to racing on the dirt given his pedigree: Mendelssohn is a half brother to multiple Eclipse Award-winner Beholder. Mendelssohn earned his berth by winning the UAE Derby in an "astonishing" performance while setting a track record.[19]

Entries for the Kentucky Derby were taken on May 1. Justify drew post position 7 and was installed as the 3-1 morning line favorite by oddsmaker Mike Battaglia.[20][21]

Race description

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Kentucky National Guard saluting during the playing of the National Anthem

Because the Derby was held on a rainy day, the surface of the track was sealed to mitigate the effect of heavy rain on the footing. Nonetheless, the track condition was sloppy. By post time, more than 2.8 inches (7.1 cm) of rain had been recorded that day at nearby Louisville International Airport, breaking the Derby Day precipitation record of 2.31 inches (5.9 cm) that had been set in 1918. Despite the rain, a crowd of 157,813 attended the event, the eighth largest in Derby history,[3][22] and the wettest of all time.[23] A record $149.2 million was bet on the Derby itself from all sources, while the full card earned an all-source handle of $225.7 million, up 8% from the previous year's record.[24]

Justify in starting gate for Kentucky Derby

On the track, Justify's jockey Mike Smith used the colt's early speed to gain vantage position near the rail moving into the first turn. He was positioned just a length after Promises Fulfilled and maintained this position down the backstretch. Following them closely were Flameaway, Bolt d'Oro and Good Magic. Although the opening fractions (22.24 for the first quarter, 45.77 for the half, 1:11.01 for the three-quarters) were fast, Smith said Justify felt "very comfortable".[25]

In the final turn, Bolt d'Oro and later Good Magic were both put to a drive, while Promises Fulfilled began to drop back. Justify responded to urging to open up a lead of 1+1⁄2 lengths as they turned into the stretch, widening to 2+1⁄2 lengths at the finish line. Bolt d'Oro tired, eventually finishing in twelfth place, but Good Magic persevered to finish second. Audible closed from twelfth place to finish third, just a head behind Good Magic.[2][25][26]

It was the fifth Derby win for Baffert and the second for Smith.[25]

Mendelssohn, who went off as the third choice in the betting, broke well from post position 14 but was hit hard shortly after the start by Magnum Moon, who veered over from post position 16. Losing ground and "banged around in traffic", Mendelssohn was eased and finished last. On the other hand, Instilled Regard, who broke from post position 15 and was also involved in the initial bumping incident, rallied from 17th place to finish fourth.[2][25]

Results

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Finish Program
Number 		Horse Jockey Trainer Qualifying
Points 		Morning Line
Odds[21] 		Final Odds Margin
(Lengths) 		Winnings
1 7 Justify Mike Smith Bob Baffert 100 3-1 2.90 $1,432,000
2 6 Good Magic José Ortiz Chad Brown 134 12-1 9.70 2+1⁄2 $400,000
3 5 Audible Javier Castellano Todd Pletcher 110 8-1 7.00 2+1⁄2 $200,000
4 15 Instilled Regard Drayden Van Dyke Jerry Hollendorfer 29 50-1 85.10 4+1⁄4 $100,000
5 10 My Boy Jack Kent Desormeaux J. Keith Desormeaux 52 20-1 6.70 7 $60,000
6 13 Bravazo Luis Contreras D. Wayne Lukas 54 50-1 66.90 8
7 9 Hofburg Irad Ortiz Jr. Bill Mott 40 20-1 27.00 8+3⁄4
8 8 Lone Sailor James Graham Thomas Amoss 42 50-1 24.50 9+1⁄4
9 18 Vino Rosso John Velazquez Todd Pletcher 107 12-1 14.10 10+1⁄2
10 17 Solomini Flavien Prat Bob Baffert 54 30-1 62.90 11
11 1 Firenze Fire Paco Lopez Jason Servis 39 50-1 59.70 23+1⁄2
12 11 Bolt d'Oro Victor Espinoza Mick Ruis 104 8-1 8.90 24+1⁄4
13 4 Flameaway Jose Lezcano Mark Casse 70 30-1 37.50 30+1⁄2
14 12 Enticed Junior Alvarado Kiaran McLaughlin 103 30-1 50.30 34+3⁄4
15 3 Promises Fulfilled Corey Lanerie Dale Romans 52 30-1 49.00 39+3⁄4
16 2 Free Drop Billy Robby Albarado Dale Romans 44 30-1 45.40 41
17 19 Noble Indy Florent Geroux Todd Pletcher 110 30-1 59.20 42+1⁄4
18 20 Combatant Ricardo Santana Jr. Steve Asmussen 32 50-1 70.60 42+3⁄4
19 16 Magnum Moon Luis Saez Todd Pletcher 150 6-1 13.70 49+1⁄2
20 14 Mendelssohn Ryan Moore Aidan O'Brien 100 5-1 6.80 73+1⁄4
also eligible Blended Citizen[a] Kyle Frey Doug O'Neill 22 50-1 SCR

Track: Sloppy (sealed)

Times: 1⁄4 mile – 22.24; 1⁄2 mile – 45.77; 3⁄4 mile – 1:11.01; mile – 1:37.35; final – 2:04.20.
Splits for each quarter-mile: (22.24) (23.53) (25.24) (26.34) (26.85)

Source: Equibase chart[2]

  1. ^ Blended Citizen was "also eligible", meaning he would have drawn into the field if any of the top 20 had withdrawn before betting began on May 4.[27]

Payout

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The table below gives Kentucky Derby payout schedule[28]

Program
number 		Horse name Win Place Show
7 Justify $7.80 $6.00 $4.40
6 Good Magic – $9.20 $6.60
5 Audible – – $5.80
  • $2 Exacta: (7–6) $69.60
  • $1 Trifecta: (7–6–5) $141.40
  • $1 Superfecta: (7–6–5–15) $19,618.20
  • $1 Super High Five: (7–6–5–15–10) $183,580.20

Subsequent Grade I wins

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Several horses went on from the Derby to post Grade I wins. Most notably, Justify completed the American Triple Crown and was named Horse of the Year.[29]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Melissa Hoppert (May 6, 2018). "Justify Wins Kentucky Derby, Conquering Rain, Mud and a 136-Year Curse". The New York Times. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Chart of the 2018 Kentucky Derby". Equibase. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
  3. ^ a b Gabe, Hauari (May 5, 2018). "Over 157,000 people braved the elements at the 2018 Kentucky Derby". Courier Journal. Retrieved September 19, 2018.
  4. ^ Frank Angst (October 25, 2017). "Woodford Reserve is New Kentucky Derby Sponsor". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved April 15, 2018.
  5. ^ "2018 Kentucky Derby & Oaks". Kentucky Derby. Archived from the original on September 21, 2018. Retrieved March 24, 2018.
  6. ^ Kenan Goyette (March 2, 2018). "When is the Kentucky Derby 2018? Post time, race start, how to watch". Sporting News. Retrieved March 24, 2018.
  7. ^ "History Of Churchill Downs". Churchill Downs. Archived from the original on March 1, 2017. Retrieved March 1, 2017.
  8. ^ "Watch Derby on NBC". www.kentuckyderby.com. Kentucky Derby. Archived from the original on April 24, 2017. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
  9. ^ "Kentucky Derby History". Kentucky Derby. Archived from the original on September 21, 2018. Retrieved March 24, 2018.
  10. ^ Staff (September 17, 2015). "2015 Live Foal Crop Up Nearly 2%". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved May 4, 2018.
  11. ^ "About the Road to the Kentucky Derby". Churchill Downs Incorporated. Retrieved March 24, 2018.
  12. ^ a b "Kentucky Derby Leaderboard" (PDF). www.kentuckyderby.com. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  13. ^ Frank Angst (March 30, 2018). "Gronkowski Punches Kentucky Derby Ticket in Burradon". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved March 30, 2018.
  14. ^ Alicia Wincze Hughes (April 23, 2018). "Gronkowski to Miss Kentucky Derby Due to Illness". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved April 24, 2018.
  15. ^ McNamara, Ed (April 12, 2018). "Lightly raced Justify early Kentucky Derby favorite". Newsday. Archived from the original on November 4, 2021. Retrieved April 14, 2018.
  16. ^ a b Staff (April 16, 2018). "Magnum Moon Moves to Second in NTRA 3-Year-Old Poll". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved April 21, 2018.
  17. ^ a b Haskin, Steve (April 10, 2018). "Derby Dozen – April 10, 2018". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved April 15, 2018.
  18. ^ Privman, Jay (February 7, 2018). "Derby Watch: Good Magic, Bolt d'Oro at head of class". Daily Racing Form. Retrieved April 21, 2018.
  19. ^ Wood, Greg (April 1, 2018). "Mendelssohn a top contender to end Europe's duck in Kentucky Derby". The Guardian. Retrieved April 15, 2018.
  20. ^ Evan Hammonds (May 1, 2018). "Justify Draws Post 7 as 3-1 Derby Choice". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved May 1, 2018.
  21. ^ a b Melissa Hoppert (May 1, 2018). "Kentucky Derby Draw 2018: Odds, Post Positions and Contenders". The New York Times. Retrieved May 1, 2018.
  22. ^ "Big crowds brave several inches of rain for 144th Kentucky Derby". Louisville, Kentucky: WDRB. May 5, 2018. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
  23. ^ "Justify captures Kentucky Derby in record-breaking race". Las Vegas Review Journal. Associated Press. May 5, 2018. Retrieved September 25, 2018.
  24. ^ Gregory A. Hall (May 6, 2018). "Derby Day Rain Doesn't Dampen Record Betting". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
  25. ^ a b c d Wincze-Hughes, Alicia (May 6, 2018). "Justify Untouchable in Kentucky Derby". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
  26. ^ Privman, Jay (May 5, 2018). "Curse of Apollo lifted as Justify cruises in Kentucky Derby". Daily Racing Form. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
  27. ^ Nicole Russo (May 4, 2018). "Also-eligible Blended Citizen officially out". Daily Racing Form. Retrieved May 4, 2018.
  28. ^ Cody Benjamin (May 6, 2018). "Kentucky Derby 2018 winner, payouts: Win, place, show, trifecta and superfecta results". CBS Sports. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
  29. ^ "Profile of Justify". www.equibase.com. Retrieved April 12, 2020.
  30. ^ "Profile of Vino Rosso". www.equibase.com. Retrieved April 12, 2020.
  31. ^ "Profile of Combatant". www.equibase.com. Retrieved April 12, 2020.
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