The 2016 Kentucky Derby Field - Where Are They Now?

Since Nyquist, the winner of the 2016 Kentucky Derby, finished a disappointing sixth, beaten five lengths in the Pennsylvania Derby, the three-year-old male division has never been more wide open. Nyquist has not found the winner’s circle since his victory on the First Saturday in May. In three tries since the Run for the Roses, his best finish was third place in the Preakness. In comparison, how have the other Kentucky Derby contestants fared since the first leg of Triple Crown?

Only seven from the field of 20 have won a race since the Derby was run and that includes the maiden victory of Trojan Nation. Since then the Derby field has a combined record of 41: 8-5-4. That’s a 19.5% win rate with 41.4% in the money. Four horses have not been back in the starting gate since May 7^th.

Whether you like it or not, a win is a win and Exaggerator has been the most successful of the Derby crowd with his victories in the Preakness and the Haskell. He is the only winner of two races and they were both grade ones. Creator’s win in the Belmont Stakes make him the only other Derby horse to win a Grade 1.

Here is the run down of the Kentucky Derby field, in order of finish, with their record since then noted in brackets and the name of any race in which they hit the board.

1^st Nyquist [3: 0-0-1] Preakness (G1)

2^nd Exaggerator [5: 2-0-0] Preakness (G1) and Haskell (G1)

3^rd Gun Runner [4: 1-1-1] Matt Winn (G3), PA Derby (G2), Travers (G1)

4^th Mohaymen [2: 0-0-0]

5^th Suddenbreakingnews [2: 0-0-0]

6^th Destin [3: 0-1-1] Belmont Stakes, Jim Dandy

7^th Brody’s Cause [1: 0-0-0]

8^th Mo Tom [2: 1-0-0] Ohio Derby

9^th Lani [2:0-0-1] Belmont Stakes

10^th Mor Spirit [DNR]

11^th My Man Sam [3: 0-1-0] Allowance NW1

12^th Tom’s Ready [2: 1-0-0] Woody Stephens (G2)

13^th Creator [3: 1-0-0] Belmont Stakes (G1)

14^th Outwork [DNR]

15^th Danzing Candy [1: 0-1-0] Affirmed (G2)

16^th Trojan Nation [3: 1-0-0] Maiden Special Weight

17^th Oscar Nominated [4: 1-1-0] Dueling Grounds Derby, American Derby (G3)

18^th Majesto [1:0-0-0]

19^th Whitmore [DNR]

20^th Shagaf [DNR]

At this point, it is a distinct possibility that Nyquist will join Orb, Super Saver, Mine That Bird, Barbaro, and Monarchos as a Kentucky Derby winner since the year 2000 that never won another race. Nyquist appears to be on his way to stud duty at the end of the year. As a historic note, none of the aforementioned horses ended up receiving the Eclipse Award as top Three-year-old Male.

The current race year is far from over and several of the Derby horses are eyeing a possible start in the Breeders’ Cup. Nyquist, Exaggerator, and Creator are listed as possible for the Classic. Gun Runner may be headed to the Dirt Mile. A win in the Breeders’ Cup would significantly increase their chance to claim top divisional honors.

Since the turn of the century, there have been only two horses that did not run in the Kentucky Derby that went on to win the Eclipse Award. Both of them put together a lengthy resume that earned them the division championship.

In 2006, Bernardini skipped the Derby, that was won by Barbaro, and went on a four-race win streak that included the Preakness, Jim Dandy, Travers, and Jockey Club Gold Cup, which was followed by a second in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

Tiznow was able to supplant the 2000 Derby winner, Fusaichi Pegasus, when he ended his campaign with a victory in the Classic after winning three other graded stakes including the Super Derby, which at the time was a Grade 1. Tiznow also placed in the Pacific Classic and the Swaps, which were also both grade ones.

Arrogate has become the buzz horse in the division with his record setting performance in the Travers. He has one start left this year and should he win the Classic over California Chrome would that be enough for him to win the Eclipse? In comparison to Tiznow, he does not have a long enough resume.  History seems to point to the notion that this year’s Three-year-old Male Champion is likely to come from a horse that has competed in the Derby.