Derby Threat: Dialed In

Dialed In’s story begins in late April, 20 years ago, when a gelding named Dinard was the 1991 Kentucky Derby favorite. The son of Strawberry Road had just worn down Best Pal to win the Santa Anita Derby (gr. I) for owner-breeder Allen Paulson. With the defections of Wood Memorial (gr. I) winner Cahill Road (Unbridled’s full brother) and sweetheart filly Meadow Star, Dinard inherited the role of Derby favoritism.

But it was not to be. Dinard aggravated a suspensory ligament in a workout, forcing him to the sidelines. Instead, the Nick Zito-trained Strike the Gold claimed that year’s Derby over Best Pal, the same rival Dinard had bested four weeks earlier...