Thoroughbred Racing Fan Association, Inc.
Thoroughbred Racing Fan Association, Inc.
WHAT HORSE WON THE KENTUCKY DERBY AT THE LONGEST ODDS?
4/23/2021
Currently to qualify for the Kentucky Derby a horse must accumulate a number of qualifying points. Since this program was put in place it took about 50 qualifying points to secure a stall in the gate on the first Saturday in May. Prior to this system getting into the Kentucky Derby was determined by money earned in selected races. This placed the power to the individual tracks. Perfect example is the Sunland Derby at Sunland Park. Prior to the point system Sunland Park set their Derby purse at an extremely high level so a winner of their race would automatically get into the Kentucky Derby and market their track. It, also, caused weaker horses to get into the Derby and jeopardizing the quality of the race. It helps unknown horses get and win at long odds. The last time a huge long shot won was in 2019 when Country House got the trophy at 65-1 as result of disqualification. But before that Mine That Bird crossed the finish line at 50-1. Four year earlier Giacomo won in 2005 at 50-1. However, the horse who won the Kentucky Derby at the longest odds ever did so in 1913. Donerail went off at 91-1odds. Is there a long shot running this year that could set a new winning record?