Kentucky Derby 2017: Jockeys’ Records

When you look at the career record of the jockeys in the 2017 Kentucky Derby, you have to keep in mind that there is only one a year and the race has a field of 20. Thus, most riders’ Derby stats are going to look very poor in comparison to their regular record, or to their Breeders’ Cup performance. Mike Smith is the perfect example. His Breeders’ Cup stats [126: 25-13-8] are amazing, but his Derby record [22: 1-4-1] pales in comparison.

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THREE DERBY WINNERS

Only three jockeys in the history of the Kentucky Derby have more than three wins in the Run for the Roses and they are three legends of racing. Both Eddie Arcaro and Bill Hartack had five winners. Arcaro’s came in 21 starts while Hartack’s came in an amazing 12 mounts only. Bill Shoemaker had four Derby victories.

A victory by either of these riders would put them in very elite company.

Kent Desormeaux [Sonneteer – 20: 3-1-4] Desormeaux has ridden the favorite four times winning twice with Fusaichi Pegasus in 2000 and Big Brown in 2008. His first Derby victory came in 1998 on Real Quiet.

Victor Espinoza [Gormley – 8: 3-0-1] - Espinoza’s staggering Derby record helped him to join the Hall of Fame in 2017. Of course his wins came in 2002 on War Emblem and then in consecutive years on California Chrome and American Pharoah.

TWO DERBY WINNERS

There are 15 jockeys who have won two Kentucky Derbys in their careers. Ron Turcotte and Eddie Delahoussaye did it in consecutive years. Turcotte had his Meadow Stable double with Riva Ridge in 1972 and Secretariat in the following year. Delahoussaye had Gato Del Sol in 1982 and then Sunny’s Halo.

Mario Gutierrez [Irap – 2: 2-0-0] - Gutierrez is perfect in the Derby with his wins on I’ll Have Another in 2012 and on the favorite Nyquist last year.

ONE DERBY WINNERS

Mike Smith [Girvin - 22: 1-4-1] – Smith won his Derby in 2005 when Giacomo pulled his stunning 50-1 upset. Smith just missed a second victory when the favorite Bodemeister got caught near the wire in 2012. Smith also rode the favorite in 1993 with Prairie Bayou, 1994 on Holy Bull, and on Unbridled’s Song in 1996.

John Velazquez [Always Dreaming – 18: 1-1-0] – Johnny V. won the Derby in 2011 with Animal Kingdom when he inherited the mount at the last minute from Robby Albarado. His second place finish came in 2001 with Invisible Ink.

Joel Rosario [Practical Joke – 7: 1-0-0] – Rosario won the 2013 Derby on the favorite Orb in his fourth Derby mount.

THE WINLESS

Javier Castellano [Gunnevera – 10: 0-0-0] – Castellano rode the favorite Bellamy Road to seventh place as a rookie in 2005. His best finish was fourth in 2013 on Normandy Invasion.

Julien Leparoux [Classic Empire – 9: 0-0-0] – Leparoux has two fifth place finishes to his credit. In 2011, he rode the favorite Dialed In to an eighth place.

Jose Lezcano [State of Honor – 4: 0-1-0] – In 2010, Lezcano guided Ice Box to second place.

Rajiv Maragh [Irish War Cry – 4: 0-0-1] – Maragh had his third place Derby finish in 2011 on Mucho Macho Man.

Luis Saez [J Boys Echo – 4: 0-0-0] - Saez has ridden in the last four Derbies and his best finish was seventh last year on Brody’s Cause.

Jose Ortiz [Tapwrit – 2: 0-0-0] – Ortiz rode Samraat to a fifth place performance in 2014.

Corey Lanerie [Lookin At Lee – 2: 0-0-0] – Last year Lanerie rode Mo Tom to an eighth place performance.

Ricardo Santana Jr. [Untrapped – 2: 0-0-0] – Santana rode the thirteenth place finisher, Creator, in last year’s Derby.

Florent Geroux [Hence – 1: 0-0-1] - Geroux’s rookie performance last year on Gun Runner was a good one when they got third place.

Christophe Soumillon [Thunder Snow – 1: 0-0-0] – Soumillon guided the popular Mubtaahij to eighth in the 2015 Derby.

Brian Hernandez Jr. [McCraken – 1: 0-0-0] – Last year was his rookie year with a twelfth place on Tom’s Ready.

THE ROOKIES

Don’t be upset if your Derby horse is ridden by a rookie because 27 jockeys won the race in their first try. The most recent rookie winners were Mario Gutierrez in 2012 on I’ll Have Another and Stewart Elliot who rode Smarty Jones in 2004. Steve Cauthen began his 1978 Triple Crown with his rookie Derby win on Affirmed.

Tyler Gaffalione [Patch – ROOKIE]

Channing Hill [Fast and Accurate – ROOKIE]

Flavien Prat [Battle of Midway – ROOKIE]