New York-breds and the Kentucky Derby

When Funny Cide crossed the wire a winner on the first Saturday in May, the gelding became the first New York-bred in history to win the Kentucky Derby. It’s been 12 years since the pride of Sackatoga Stable stormed to victory in the first two legs of the Triple Crown, and since, ten horses bred in the Empire State have attempted to become the second draped in roses. None made it to the winner’s circle, although a couple made their presence felt.

With impressive victories in the Grade 3 Holy Bull, and the Grade 3 Risen Star respectively, Upstart and International Star are well on their way to becoming the 11th and 12th New York-breds. Both colts will take another step closer towards a date in Louisville, this Saturday, (Upstart tops the Fountain of Youth, while International Star is one of the headliners in the Risen Star.) Will they represent the best chance for a New York-bred winner of the Kentucky Derby since Funny Cide won the big one?

Let’s see how the previous ten New York-breds, since Funny Cide did the state breeding  program proud back in 2003, have fared in their runs at the Derby ...

1. Went the Day Well - 4th in 2012 

The closest since Funny Cide, the handsome son of Proud Citizen did his best to emulate his Team Valor stablemate Animal Kingdom, with a Spiral-Kentucky Derby double. The late run of the 30-1 shot was strong, but came up a little short, finishing 4th, only beaten 2 1/2 lengths by I'll Have Another.  

2. Samraat - 5th in 2014

At the head of the stretch of last year's Kentucky Derby, it looked like California Chrome and Samraat were rushing to the lead in tandem. The Gotham and Withers winner, sent off at 16-1, could not stick with the champion, though, and had to settle for a game stretch run that saw him finish a solid fifth.

3. Read the Footnotes - 7th in 2004  

A talented son of Smoke Glacken, the Nashua, Remsen, and Fountain of Youth winner found some normal Kentucky Derby traffic on the first turn and had to steady. Still, the 22-1 chance stayed on well to finish 7th behind the growing legend of Smarty Jones.

T-4. Giant Finish - 10th in 2013

Coming in off a pair of in the money finishes in Turfway Park's preps for the Derby, the son of Frost Giant was largely ignored at the windows, going off at 38-1. He never made much noise in Louisville, but stayed on decently to finish right in the middle of the pack.

T-4. Z Fortune - 10th in 2008

Coming in off a good second in the Arkansas Derby, the Zayat Stable runner was given a chance in Louisville at 19-1, but a little traffic, and then not quite enough talent, saw him fade to tenth, as Big Brown romped to victory. 

6. Uncle Sigh - 14th in 2014

Perhaps his pedigree caught up with him a bit a ten furlongs, but Samraat's foil on the New York trail to the Kentucky Derby, could not stick around late, after setting the early pace, and faded to 14th place at odds of 30-1. 

7. Friends Lake - 15th in 2004

A son of A.P. Indy coming in off a Florida Derby victory, the John Kimmel trained charge seemed to have a shot to make it back-to-back New York-bred wins in the Derby. It was not to meant to be, though, as Friends Lake never mounted a challenge and finished up the track in 15th place. 

8. Sort It Out - 17th in 2005 

While longshots, Giacomo and Closing Argument edged out Afleet Alex for the top two spots, another longshot did not fare so well. The son of Out of Place was sent off at 61-1 in 2005, and ran like it, checking in a never-a-factor 17th.   

9. Big Truck - 18th in 2008

The Tampa Bay Derby winner of 2008 failed in his last Kentucky Derby when well back in the Blue Grass. He fared no better in the Run for the Roses, as he never got close the the lead, and struggled home a well beaten 18th at odds of 28-1. 

10. Sharp Humor - 19th in 2006

Having thrown everything but the kitchen sink at Barbaro in the Florida Derby, there was reason to believe that the 30-1 son of Distorted Humor could make some noise in Louisville, at least in the early stages. It did not happen, and he eventually faded to 19th, while Barbaro stormed to a powerful win.