117th running of the Kentucky Derby
Horse race
The 1991 Kentucky Derby was the 117th running of the Kentucky Derby. The race took place on May 4, 1991,[1] with 135,554 people in attendance.[2]
The Road to the 1991 Kentucky Derby
Heading into the Derby, it was seen as a wide-open race with multiple horses having a chance at victory.
Fly So Free had an impressive resume coming into the race. He won the Grade-1 Champagne Stakes, the Grade-1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile, the Grade-2 Hutcheson Stakes, the Grade-2 Fountain of Youth Stakes and the Grade-1 Florida Derby. Through these wins, he had already defeated most of the field in various races.[3]
Best Pal also had an impressive resume with multiple wins at the Grade-3 1990 Balboa Stakes, the Grade-2 Del Mar Futurity, the Grade-1 Norfolk Stakes and the Grade-1 Hollywood Futurity. He also finished ahead of Sea Cadet at the 1991 Santa Anita Derby.[4]
Hansel had won the Grade-3 July 1990 Tremont Breeders' Cup Stakes, the Grade-2 September 1990 Arlington-Washington Futurity Stakes, the March 1991 Grade-2 Jim Beam Stakes(where he defeated Wilder Than Ever) and the April 1991 Grade-2 Lexington Stakes.[5] However, he was defeated soundly twice by Fly So Free.
Strike the Gold had won the April 1991 Blue Grass Stakes defeating favorite Fly So Free by a half-length after finishing 2nd to Fly So Free at the 1991 Florida Derby.[6]
Green Alligator captured the April 1991 Grade-3 California Derby in his only stakes win.[7]
Quintana was victorious at the March 1991 Grade-3 Rebel Stakes winning over fellow 1991 Kentucky Derby competitor, Corporate Report.[8]
Alydavid won the Grade-3 April 1991 Derby Trial Stakes[9] and was a half-brother of Strike the Gold.
Sea Cadet won the January 1991 El Camino Real Derby and the March 1991 San Felipe Stakes, placing multiple positions ahead of Green Alligator.[10]
Mane Minister picked up smaller victories in the January 1991 listed Santa Catalina Stakes and the 1991 listed Pirate Cove Stakes.[11]
Paulrus, Another Review, Corporate Report, Happy Jazz Band, Forty Something, Lost Mountain, Subordinated Debt and Wilder Than Ever had never won a stakes race and were seen as wildcards.[12]
Dinard won the Grade-2 1991 San Rafael Stakes. He defeated Best Pal in what was called "the single most compelling performance of the year" in the Grade-1 1991 Santa Anita Derby.[13] He was considered an early favorite for the Kentucky Derby, but suffered a foreleg injury and was declared out.[14][15][16]
Olympio, winner of the 1991 Arkansas Derby, who had traded wins with Dinard, was also seen as a possible candidate for the Kentucky Derby. However, his owners decided to skip the race for the 1991 Preakness Stakes, where he finished 7th.[17]
Cahill Road was also seen as a contender after winning the April 1991 Wood Memorial Stakes, but injured his left front leg in the victory and was retired.[18][19]
Full results
Payout
Post
|
Horse
|
Win
|
Place
|
Show
|
4
|
Strike the Gold
|
$ 11.60
|
6.20
|
5.40
|
10
|
Best Pal
|
|
6.40
|
5.40
|
7
|
Mane Minister
|
|
|
25.60
|
See also
References