When the Derby Winner is Not from Kentucky

Since the inception of the Kentucky Derby in 1875, 107 Kentucky-breds have been victorious. As a matter of fact only three horses bred outside of the Bluegrass State have won the Derby since 2000 – California Chrome in 2014, Smarty Jones in 2004, and Funny Cide in 2003.

Florida is the second most common state to produce Derby winners with six, while Virginia and California are next, each with four victories. There are three Triple Crown winners, a filly, and four from outside of the United States amongst this group of non-Kentucky-bred victors in the Run for the Roses. With that in mind let’s take a historical look at the other states and their Derby winners.

Florida has bred a distinguished group of six Kentucky Derby winners with Silver Charm 1997, Unbridled 1990, Affirmed 1978, Foolish Pleasure 1975, Carry Back 1961, and Needles 1956. It’s been nineteen years since the Sunshine State took home the roses, but they did have Forevamo and Matt King Coal amongst the 24 betting interests in the recent Kentucky Derby Futures Pool 3. Florida’s group of three-year-olds number 2,149 or 9.3% of 2013 North American foal crop. Dance with Fate finished sixth in the 2014 Derby.

Virginia-breds have had four winners of the Derby and with Secretariat amongst them, most people would agree that the Old Dominion State produced the greatest of all winners. The other three victories came from Sea Hero 1993, Pleasant Colony 1981, and Reigh Count 1928. In 2012 Bodemeister almost brought home number five except for the late charge of I’ll Have Another. American Dubai, who is slated to run in the Rebel Stakes this weekend, gives Virginia a chance to have a starter in the 2016 Derby.

California Chrome put his state in the forefront of thoroughbred racing after he got close to winning the Triple Crown in 2014. Chrome ended a 52 year drought for California-bred winners. The other Derby winners bred in the Golden State were Decidedly 1962, Swaps 1955, and Morvich 1922. Smokey Image had the Cal-bred fans hoping for a repeat of 2014, but his disappointing run in the San Felipe ended his perfect career and most likely his chances at running in this year’s Derby.

Horses bred in Canada have won the Run for the Roses twice. The great Northern Dancer won 1964 Derby and finished third in his attempt to sweep the Triple Crown in the Belmont Stakes. The son of Neartic had a career record of 18: 14-2-2 that was surpassed by his prowess as a stallion. At his peak Northern Dancer stood for an unprecedented $1,000,000 stud fee. Sunny’s Halo also won the Derby in 1983. Last year Danzig Moon finished fifth.

New Jersey-breds have won the Kentucky Derby twice, although not since 1934 with Cavalcade. No doubt that Regret is the most famous. She was the first filly and the first unbeaten horse to win Run for the Roses. Regret was born not too far from Monmouth Park on Harry Payne Whitney’s Brookdale Farm. Regret compiled a career record of 11: 9-1-0. She won the Derby in the first start of her three-year-old season. The Garden State had some Derby dreams this year with Sunny Ridge. Jersey’s most recent Derby starter was Dance Floor, who finished third in 1992.

Pennsylvania-breds have won two times on the First Saturday in May. The wildly popular Smarty Jones brought his unbeaten record to Churchill Downs to win his Derby in 2004. The Belmont Stakes, when he finished second, was the only time that Smarty Jones was not on the lead. Lil E. Tee was other Derby winner for the Keystone State in 1992. This year Mor Spirit gives Pennsylvania-breds a legitimate chance to win for the third time.

Texas-breds have won two Derbys with one of them being Triple Crown winner Assault in 1946. New York and Maryland each have only bred one Derby winner with Funny Cide in 2003 for the Empire State and Kauai King for the Old Line State in 1966. In the 1800’s Tennessee-breds won three times. There have been two winners bred in England, Tomy Lee 1959 and Omar Khayyam in 1917. The only Illinois-bred to get the roses was Dust Commander in 1970. Others states that have bred one Derby winner are: Kansas, Missouri, Montana, and Ohio.