The Road to the 2027 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve is underway, and every Monday through the end of December, Rookie Rankings will analyze potential contenders for the first Saturday in May and rank them in a Top 10 list. Identifying a Kentucky Derby winner this far in advance isn’t easy. Next year’s Kentucky Derby starters are only 2 years old right now. Seven of the last 10 Derby winners were unraced at this point in their juvenile or “rookie” year, and two others were winless.
Tag: The Sport
Never Underestimate a Champion: The Story of Groupie Doll
Never underestimate a champion. This age-old lesson was reiterated to handicappers and racing fans alike when the sensational, speedy mare Groupie Doll defied age and expectations in the 2013 Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint.
The Puma Wins Pennsylvania Derby, Bodacious Bay Takes Cotillion
The Puma made a huge move around the far turn under jockey Javier Castellano, opened up a three-length lead through the stretch, and held off a late charge from Further Ado to win the $1 million Grade 1 Pennsylvania Derby by a half-length Sept. 19 at Parx Racing.
Forever Young Too Good for Opposition in Jockey Club Gold Cup
The 6,000 fortunate fans on hand Sept. 18 at Belmont Park were treated to everything they wanted to see. As “Beautiful Belmont Park” reopened Sept. 18 after a three-year construction project, fans and horsemen were treated to the debut of a sparkling, more space-efficient, ultra-modern facility for enjoying racing in the 21st century.
