The American Derby is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually at Arlington Park in Arlington Heights, Illinois. The inaugural American Derby was held at Chicago's old Washington Park Race Track on the city's South Side and raced there until 1905 when the facility was closed following the state's ban on gambling, and horse racing and the track was demolished. 1893's American Derby was the 2nd richest race in the U.S. during the 19th century.[1]

American Derby
Listed race
LocationEllis Park Race Course
Kentucky, United States
Inaugurated1884 (at Washington Park Race Track)
Race typeThoroughbredFlat racing
WebsiteAmerican Derby
Race information
Distance1 116 miles (8.5 furlongs)
SurfaceTurf
TrackLeft-handed
QualificationThree-year-olds
WeightAssigned
Purse$100,000

There was no racing in Chicago in 1895, 1896, 1897, 1899, and again in 1905 and 1906.[citation needed] The effect would be that the American Derby was not run from 1905 through 1925, except for 1916 when it was hosted by the Hawthorne Race Course in Stickney, Illinois.[citation needed]

Revived in 1926, it evolved to become one of the important events of the American racing season that drew some of the very best horses from all over the country. It was run at the new Washington Park Race Track in Homewood, Illinois, in 1926 and 1927 and then was held at the Arlington Park course in 1928 before returning to the new Washington Park in 1929 where it remained through 1957. From 1958 until its closure in 2021, the race was run at Arlington Park. In 2022, the race took place at Churchill Downs.[2]

Since 1992 the American Derby has been run on turf. Previously, it had been raced on the turf course from 1955 through 1957 and from 1970 through 1976. Over the years, the distance has varied:

  • 1 12 miles: 1884–1904, 1926, 1927, 1958–1961, 1966–1974, 1976
  • 1 14 miles: 1928–1951, 1962–1965, 1977–1991
  • 1 316 miles: 1916, 1955–1957, 1992–2014
  • 1 18 miles: 1952–1954, 1958–1961, 1966–1974, 1976, 2015–2018
  • 1 116 miles: 1975, 2019–2021
  • 1 mile: 1952–1954, 1958–1961

Most wins by a jockey:

Hall of Fame jockey George Woolf won the race three years in a row from 1942 to 1944.

Most wins by a trainer:

Most wins by an owner:

Winners

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Year
Winner
Jockey
Trainer
Owner
Distance Time
2023 Wadsworth Florent Geroux Brad H. Cox Godolphin, LLC 1 116 miles 1:40.96
2022 Rattle N Roll Brian Hernandez Jr. Kenneth G. McPeek Lucky Seven Stable 1 116 miles 1:43.27
2021 Tango Tango Tango Declan Cannon Jack Sisterson Calumet Farm 1 116 miles 1:43.58
2019 Faraway Kitten Adam Beschizza Michael Maker Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey 1 116 miles 1:41.72
2018 Real Story Joe Bravo Ignacio Correas, VI Jeffery S. Amling, and Merriebelle Stables, LLC 1 ⅛ miles 1:47.61
2017 Sonic Boom Julien Leparoux Ian Wilkes Lothenbach Stables, Inc. (Bob Lothenbach) 1 ⅛ miles 1:49.90
2016 One Mean Man Jose Lezcano Bernard S. Flint L. T. B., Inc. & Hillerich Racing, Inc. 1 ⅛ miles 1:48.86
2015 World Approval Jose Lezcano Mark Casse Live Oak Plantation Stable (Charlotte Weber) 1 316 miles 1:52.92
2014 Divine Oath Florent Geroux Todd Pletcher Let's Go Stable (Kevin Scatuorchio & Bryan Sullivan) 1 316 Miles 1:56.50
2013 Infinite Magic Channing Hill Richard C. Mettee Team Valor International 1 316 miles 1:55.41
2012 Cozzetti Shaun Bridgmohan Dale L. Romans Albaugh Family Stable 1 316 miles 1:57.42
2011 Willcox Inn Robby Albarado Michael Stidham All In Stable 1 316 miles 1:54.56
2010 Workin For Hops Francisco Torres Michael Stidham Estorance, LLC 1 316 miles 1:55.47
2009 Reb Julien Leparoux George Arnold II Ashbrook Farm 1 316 miles 1:56.09
2008 Tizdejavu René Douglas Greg Fox Cooper/Ziebarth 1 316 miles 1:59.88
2007 Lattice Robby Albarado William I. Mott Claiborne Farm 1 316 miles 1:54.85
2006 Union Avenue Larry Melancon William I. Mott WinStar Farm 1 316 miles 1:57.20
2005 Gun Salute Cornelio Velásquez William I. Mott Brant M. Laue 1 316 miles 1:55.31
2004 Simple Exchange Pat Smullen Dermot K. Weld Moyglare Stud 1 316 miles 1:54.93
2003 Evolving Tactics Pat Smullen Dermot K. Weld Moyglare Stud 1 316 miles 1:59.04
2002 Mananan McLir René Douglas Wallace Dollase M. Jarvis/G. Margolis et al. 1 316 miles 1:57.11
2001 Fan Club's Mister Randy Meier Rickey B. Harris P. Miessler & C. Raber 1 316 miles 2:03.27
2000 Pine Dance Eddie Ahern Dermot K. Weld Highland Farms et al. 1 316 miles 1:55.46
No race 1998–1999
1997 Honor Glide Garrett Gomez Jim Day Robert Schaedle III 1 316 miles 1:55.94
1996 Jaunatxo Juvenal Diaz Louie J. Roussel III Louie J. Roussel III 1 316 miles 1:55.82
1995 Gold And Steel Aaron Gryder Jean-Claude Rouget Gary A. Tanaka 1 316 miles 1:55.02
1994 Overbury †† Shane Sellers David Loder Sheikh Mohammed 1 316 miles 1:55.29
1994 Vaudeville †† Aldaberto Lopez Fordell Fierce Ron Crockett 1 316 miles 1:55.29
1993 Explosive Red Shane Sellers Daniel J. Vella Frank Stronach 1 316 miles 1:59.92
1992 The Name's Jimmy Pat Day Charles R. Stutts Mount Joy Stables, Inc. (Brian & Jan Burns) 1 316 miles 1:59.41
1991 Olympio Eddie Delahoussaye Ron McAnally Verne Winchell 1 ¼ miles 2:00.99
1990 Real Cash Pat Valenzuela D. Wayne Lukas Lukas & Overbrook 1 ¼ miles 2:02.00
1989 Awe Inspiring Craig Perret C. R. McGaughey III Ogden Mills Phipps 1 ¼ miles 2:02.40
No race 1988
1987 Fortunate Moment Earlie Fires Harvey L. Vanier Jerry Pinkley 1 ¼ miles 2:03.80
No race 1986
1985 Creme Fraiche Eddie Maple Woody Stephens Brushwood Stable 1 ¼ miles 2:01.60
1984 At The Threshold Pat Day Lynn S. Whiting W. Cal Partee 1 ¼ miles 2:04.00
1984 High Alexander Gerland Gallitano Jim Levtich J. M. Levitch Sr. 1 ¼ miles 2:04.00
1983 Play Fellow Pat Day Harvey L. Vanier Vanier, Lauer, Victor 1 ¼ miles 2:04.00
1982 Wolfie's Rascal Ruben Hernandez Howard M. Tesher Sidney L. Port et al. 1 ¼ miles 2:05.60
1981 Pocket Zipper Ray Sibille Richard Hazelton Mr. & Mrs. R. Bensinger 1 ¼ miles 2:03.80
1980 Hurry Up Blue Gerland Gallitano Joseph M. Bollero Russell L. Reineman 1 ¼ miles 2:04.40
1979 Smarten Sam Maple Woody Stephens Ryehill Farm 1 ¼ miles 2:05.20
1978 Nasty And Bold Jean-Luc Samyn Philip G. Johnson Meadowhill Farm 1 ¼ miles 2:03.40
1977 Silver Series Larry Snyder Oscar Dishman Jr. Archie R. Donaldson 1 ¼ miles 2:02.40
1976 Fifth Marine Ron Turcotte Sidney Watters Jr. Pamela H. Firman 1 ⅛ miles 1:49.20
1975 Honey Mark Garth Patterson Larry Robideaux Jr. Mr. & Mrs. F. Roberts 1 116 miles 1:44.40
1974 Determined King Daryl Montoya Eugene Jacobs Herbert A. Allen Sr. 1 ⅛ miles 1:47.80
1973 Bemo William Passmore John W. Murphy Hickory Tree Stable 1 ⅛ miles 1:49.60
1972 Dubassoff Jacinto Vásquez Thomas J. Kelly John M. Schiff 1 ⅛ miles 1:50.00
1971 Bold Reason Laffit Pincay Jr. Angel Penna Sr. William A. Levin 1 ⅛ miles 1:50.00
1970 The Pruner Braulio Baeza Edward A. Neloy Ogden Phipps 1 ⅛ miles 1:47.00
1969 Fast Hilarious Laffit Pincay Jr. Joseph M. Bollero Dorothy C. Rigney 1 ⅛ miles 1:48.00
1968 Forward Pass Ismael Valenzuela Henry Forrest Calumet Farm 1 ⅛ miles 1:48.00
1967 Damascus Bill Shoemaker Frank Y. Whiteley Jr. Edith W. Bancroft 1 ⅛ miles 1:46.80
1966 Buckpasser Braulio Baeza Edward A. Neloy Ogden Phipps 1 ⅛ miles 1:47.00
1965 Tom Rolfe Bill Shoemaker Frank Y. Whiteley Jr. Powhatan Stables 1 ¼ miles 2:00.60
1964 Roman Brother Fernando Alvarez Burley Parke Harbor View Farm 1 ¼ miles 2:01.40
1963 Candy Spots Bill Shoemaker Mesh Tenney Rex C. Ellsworth 1 ¼ miles 2:02.00
1962 Black Sheep Johnny Longden Charlie Whittingham C. R. Mac Stable 1 ¼ miles 2:01.00
1961 Beau Prince Steve Brooks Horace A. Jones Calumet Farm 1 ⅛ miles 1:51.00
1960 T. V. Lark Johnny Sellers Paul K. Parker Preston W. Madden 1 ⅛ miles 1:47.20
1959 Dunce Lois C. Cook Moody Jolley Claiborne Farm 1 ⅛ miles 1:49.00
1958 Nadir Manuel Ycaza Moody Jolley Claiborne Farm 1 ⅛ miles 1:51.00
1957 Round Table Bill Shoemaker William Molter Kerr Stable 1 316 miles 1:55.00
1956 Swoon's Son Eddie Arcaro Lex Wilson E. Gay Drake 1 316 miles 1:59.00
1955 Swaps Bill Shoemaker Mesh Tenney Rex C. Ellsworth 1 316 miles 1:54.60
1954 Errard King Sam Boulmetis Sr. Thomas J. Barry Joseph Gavegnano 1 ⅛ miles 1:49.00
1953 Native Dancer Eddie Arcaro William C. Winfrey Alfred G. Vanderbilt II 1 ⅛ miles 1:48.40
1952 Mark-Ye-Well Eddie Arcaro Ben A. Jones Calumet Farm 1 ⅛ miles 1:49.00
1951 Hall of Fame Ted Atkinson John M. Gaver Sr. Greentree Stable 1 ¼ miles 2:01.00
1950 Hill Prince Eddie Arcaro Casey Hayes Christopher Chenery 1 ¼ miles 2:01.20
1949 Ponder Steve Brooks Ben A. Jones Calumet Farm 1 ¼ miles 2:00.00
1948 Citation Eddie Arcaro Horace A. Jones Calumet Farm 1 ¼ miles 2:01.60
1947 Fervent Douglas Dodson Horace A. Jones Calumet Farm 1 ¼ miles 2:00.00
1946 Eternal Reward R. Campbell Chester J. Hall Augustus & Nahm 1 ¼ miles 2:02.00
1945 Fighting Step G. South Charles C. Norman Murlogg Farm 1 ¼ miles 2:02.00
1944 By Jimminy George Woolf James W. Smith Alfred P. Parker 1 ¼ miles 2:03.00
1943 Askmenow George Woolf Kenneth Osborne Hal Price Headley 1 ¼ miles 2:07.00
1942 Alsab George Woolf Sarge Swenke Albert Sabath 1 ¼ miles 2:06.60
1941 Whirlaway Alfred Robertson Ben A. Jones Calumet Farm 1 ¼ miles 2:04.00
1940 Mioland John H. Adams Tom Smith Charles S. Howard 1 ¼ miles 2:05.00
No race 1938–1939
1937 Dawn Play Lester Balaski Max Hirsch King Ranch 1 ¼ miles 2:05.00
No race 1936
1935 Black Helen Don Meade Bill Hurley Edward R. Bradley 1 ¼ miles 2:01.40
1934 Cavalcade Mack Garner Robert A. Smith Brookmeade Stable 1 ¼ miles 2:04.00
1933 Mr. Khayyam Pete Walls Matthew Peter Brady Catawba Farm Stable (Madelaine H. Austin) 1 ¼ miles 2:04.00
1932 Gusto Silvio Coucci Max Hirsch Morton L. Schwartz 1 ¼ miles 2:10.00
1931 Mate George Ellis James W. Healy Albert C. Bostwick Jr. 1 ¼ miles 2:04.00
1930 Reveille Boy Willie Fronk John L. Paul John A. Best 1 ¼ miles 2:04.00
1929 Windy City Lawrence McDermott Jake Lowenstein Fred M. Grabner 1 ¼ miles 2:10.00
1928 Toro Eddie Ambrose John F. Schorr Edward Beale McLean 1 ¼ miles 2:05.00
1927 Hydromel Lawrence McDermott Daniel E. Stewart Johnson N. Camden Jr. 1 ½ miles 2:29.00
1926 Boot to Boot Albert Johnson Bill Hurley Idle Hour Stock Farm 1 ½ miles 2:30.00
No race 1917–1925
1916 Dodge Frank Murphy John S. Ward Weber & Ward 1 316 miles 2:04.00
No race 1905–1915
1904 Highball Grover Fuller John W. May Walter M. Scheftel 1 ½ miles 2:33.00
1903 The Picket Albert B. Helgesen Carroll B. Reid Middleton & Jungbluth 1 ½ miles 2:33.00
1902 Wyeth Lucien Lyne Enoch Wishard John A. Drake 1 ½ miles 2:40.00
1901 Robert Waddell John Bullman Theodore F. Coles Mrs. R. Bradley 1 ½ miles 2:33.00
1900 Sidney Lucas John Bullman R. S. Thompson Thompson Bros. 1 ½ miles 2:40.25
No race 1899
1898 Pink Coat W. Martin Patrick Dunne Woodford & Buckner 1 ½ miles 2:42.00
No race 1895–1897
1894 Rey el Santa Anita Eugene Van Kuren Henry McDaniel Lucky Baldwin 1 ½ miles 2:36.00
1893 Boundless Edward H. Garrison William McDaniel John E. Cushing & John W. Orth 1 ½ miles 2:36.00
1892 Carlsbad Robert "Tiny" Williams C. Porter Robert A. Swigert 1 ½ miles 3:04.25
1891 Strathmeath George Covington Green B. Morris Green B. Morris 1 ½ miles 2:49.25
1890 Uncle Bob Thomas Kiley B. J. Johnson Chicago Stable 1 ½ miles 2:55.75
1889 Spokane Thomas Kiley John Rodegap Noah Armstrong 1 ½ miles 2:41.25
1888 Emperor of Norfolk Isaac Burns Murphy Robert W. Thomas Lucky Baldwin 1 ½ miles 2:40.50
1887 C. H. Todd Anthony Hamilton James B. A. Haggin James B. A. Haggin 1 ½ miles 2:36.50
1886 Silver Cloud Isaac Burns Murphy Albert Cooper Lucky Baldwin 1 ½ miles 2:37.25
1885 Volante Isaac Burns Murphy Albert Cooper Lucky Baldwin 1 ½ miles 2:49.50
1884 Modesty Isaac Burns Murphy John W. Rogers Edward Corrigan 1 ½ miles 2:42.00

† Dead Heat in 1984

†† Dead Heat in 1994

‡ In 1996, the first-place finisher Trail City was disqualified and placed second

Notes

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  1. ^ Reiss, Steven A., Horse Racing, Eds. Grossman, James R., Keating, Ann Durkin, and Reiff, Janice L., 2004 The Encyclopedia of Chicago, pp. 390-1. The University of Chicago Press, ISBN 0-226-31015-9
  2. ^ "Stephen Foster Day – Jul 02, 2022". Churchill Downs. Retrieved July 28, 2022.


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