Horses, People, Places & Other Things

One race shy of an even 3 dozen, the 35 prep contests that make up the "Road To The Kentucky Derby" are currently ongoing. The passageway to the first Saturday in May began last September and concludes a fortnight out from the big day. I'm quite aware there are many long-time racing fans that know the origins of these races, however, for any newbies that are discovering the love of thoroughbred racing and the excitement of following their favorite horse while it competes on the Derby trail, a little history will compliment your enthusiasm. If your a newcomer that's just getting accustomed to the names of these prep races, hopefully, if nothing else, you'll find the information interesting, if not useful. And if you've traveled down the Derby prep road several times and find this "old hat", just maybe I can enlighten you with a brand new nugget of knowledge about one of the events.

HORSES/PEOPLE: One-third of the contests, recognizes former race horses that were highly proficient on and off the track, plus leading individuals who were prominent either in the political, business or thoroughbred world. Collectively, the accomplishments and contributions from the equines and humans in this category are securely embedded in the "Sport of Kings" history.

Iroquois--If you think this race is named after the Native American tribe, you are incorrect. The race is actually named in honor of the first American-bred horse to win the famous Epsom Derby in 1881. Was North America's leading sire in 1892. This prep is run at Churchill Downs.

Grey--Sorry tea drinkers, Earl Grey was the Governor General Of Canada when this race made its debut in 1906 at Woodbine in Ontario.

Remsen--Is named in honor of Colonel Jeromus Remsen, who was an American millionaire and a Revolutionary war hero. At one time, the Remsen family owned a considerable amount of Long Island. The Island is divided into four counties. One of the four, Queens, is the location of the hosting Aqueduct Racetrack.

Jerome--This race is named in honor of Leonard Jerome, the financier who was instrumental in building the Jerome Park Racetrack, a forerunner of today's Belmont Park. Another prep held at Aqueduct.

Sham--Named in honor of the horse that will always be best remembered for his epic battles against Secretariat during the 1973 Triple Crown. A great horse in his own right that might have won all 3 races if it were not for Big Red. Santa Anita hosts this prep.

Lecomte--Honors the race horse from the 1850's who for a brief time was considered the fastest in the world. Raced and won frequently at Fair Grounds, the track in New Orleans that holds the race.

Smarty Jones--Named for the colt that captured the 2004 Kentucky Derby and Preakness before being denied in the final strides of the Belmont Stakes. Takes place at Oaklawn Park.

Holy Bull--Race was originally called the Preview Stakes, but was renamed in honor of the gray colt who was champion 3-yr old and Horse of the Year in 1994. Finished 12th in the Derby as favorite. Gulfstream Park is the home for this event.

Withers--No, this race isn't named for the space between the shoulder blades of a horse, but rather it remembers David Withers, an American businessman who was a thoroughbred owner/breeder and racetrack owner. Yet another Aqueduct prep.

Robert B. Lewis--Originally called the Santa Catalina Stakes, but renamed to honor one of the most prominent owners of several Eclipse Award winning horses, including two Kentucky Derby winners. Run at Santa Anita.

Risen Star--Originally the Louisiana Derby Trial Stakes, but renamed for the son of Secretariat that finished third in the 1988 Derby, but went on win the remaining two-thirds of the Triple Crown. Was voted 3-yr old champion. This prep is raced over the Fair Grounds oval.

Wood Memorial--Honors the memory of New York State politician, Eugene Wood, who was one of the founders and largest stockholders of the old Jamaica Racetrack. He also served as its first president. Once again, the Big A, aka Aqueduct, hosts this big race.

Lexington--This race is not named for the city in Kentucky, but gives honor to the horse who was a North American leading sire 16 out of 18 years during the second half of the 19th century. Approximately, 80 percent of Thoroughbreds today are related to Lexington. As a race horse, he won 6 of 7 races in the 1850's. His only loss was to Lecomte, his half brother.

The next two groups, that form the remaining two-thirds, get their names from actual places or from a category I'll refer to as "other things."

PLACES: Other than where a explanation has been rendered, most of the race names are either held at the track bearing the same name or contested in the state where the track is located.

Delta Downs Jackpot--Delta Downs

Los Alamitos Futurity--Los Alamitos Racetrack. This race replaces the Cash Call Futurity that was held at the now defunct Hollywood Park.

El Camino Real--Spanish for the "Royal Road". Named for the 600-mile historical trail that linked California's Spanish missions from San Diego to Solano. Contested at Golden Gate Fields.

San Felipe--Consult your history maps folks. This race is named after the bay town that is located in the Baja California peninsula which is situated in the country of Mexico. Santa Anita hosts the race. 

Tampa Bay Derby--Tampa Bay Downs

Sunland Derby--Sunland Park

UAE Derby--For those who might be unaware. UAE stand for the United Arab Emirates, the country where the race is held. Yes, Meydan Race Course near the Persian Gulf offers a Derby prep. Imagine that.

Florida Derby--Gulfstream Park

Louisiana Derby--Fair Grounds Racetrack

Santa Anita Derby--Santa Anita Racetrack

Blue Grass--Is the grass greener on the other side of the fence? Well, in parts of Kentucky it appears the grass stalks have a bluish green color. Therefore, the race receives its name from that territory of the state. Held at Keeneland Racecourse.

Arkansas Derby--Oaklawn Park

OTHER THINGS: The names in this group are a peculiar mixed bag, some acknowledging the history of the sport, while others for all intents and purposes appear quite amusing.

FrontRunner--Was formerly known as the Norfolk Stakes before being renamed. The name change is fitting since the race is for 2-yr olds, and the winner becomes one of the frontrunners of the juvenile division. Santa Anita is where you can watch this prep.

Champagne--This race has been around since 1867 and was named after the British Champagne Stakes which dates back to 1823. Belmont Park is the setting.

Breeders Futurity--This contest for 2-year olds honors the thoroughbred breeders of the sport and encourages the breeding of the best possible thoroughbreds. The home track for this race is Keeneland Race course.

Breeders' Cup Juvenile--This championship event on Breeders Cup Saturday showcases top class 2-year olds. Was part of the inaugural Breeders’ Cup program in 1984. The racetrack that the Breeders Cup L.T.D. selects as the host site is where this race is held.

Kentucky Jockey Club--First run in 1920, this race was named after the holding company that operated Churchill Downs during the decade from 1918-1928.

Southwest--I could have placed this one in the second group of preps because it's name is certainly a geographical location in the U.S., but more importantly, it's also where the host track, Oaklawn Park, in Arkansas is situated. And I would have up until a few years ago. However, at that time, a close friend of mine (a horseplayer of course) correctly informed me the race is actually named after the one-time Southwest Conference in which the University of Arkansas football team competed in, and that's a solid separating factor.

Fountain Of Youth--Named for the mythical water source in Florida that supposedly was capable of reversing the aging process of anyone who drank or bathed in its waters. Gulfstream Park showcases this prep.

Gotham--Run at Aqueduct Racetrack in New York City whose nickname is "Gotham City". Holy horses Batman!!

Rebel--The race is held at Oaklawn Park in Arkansas, so I'll presume track management, proud of their southern history, named this race for the rebel flag of the Confederate States of America which the state of Arkansas was part of during the Civil War.

Spiral--Was launched at the former Latonia Race Course for 3-year-olds "spiraling up" to the Kentucky Derby. It is now contested at Turfway Park.