In 2013, when will the Kentucky Derby winner start racing?  Has the 2013 Kentucky Derby winner even run a race yet this year?  Has the winner started the quest on the Road to the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs?  Is the 2013 crop of thoroughbreds racing early in their 3 year old year?  Or, are the 3 year olds holding off their first start of 2013?  With the new point system, a thoroughbred can possibly win one race for 100 points and be in the Derby.

We thought we would look back at history to see what has happened in recent years.  The answer is that five of the last six Kentucky Derby winners have not raced as a 3 year old by February 27 of their 3 year old career.  Only I’ll Have Another, the 2012 Kentucky Derby winner raced before February 27 during his 3 year old campaign.  I’ll Have Another raced on February 4th of his 3 year old campaign.

2007 Kentucky Derby winner Street Sense raced in 2006 Breeders’ Cup as a 2 year old but did not race as a 3 year old until St. Patrick’s Day in 2007 (March 17^th).

2008 Kentucky Derby winner Big Brown raced at beautiful Saratoga during the summer of 2007 as a 2 year old but did not race as a 3 year old until March 5^th in an allowance race at Gulfstream Park.

2009 Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird raced in Canada at Woodbine and Santa Anita Park as a 2 year old.  His first race as a 3 year old was February 28 at Sunland Park.

2010 Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver raced at Belmont Park and Churchill Downs as a two year old. He ran as a 3 year old at Tampa Bay on March 13th.

2011 Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom raced as a 2 year old at both Keeneland and Arlington Park. His 3 year old campaign started on March 3 at Gulfstream Park.

2012 Kentucky Derby winner I’ll Have Another raced as a 2 year old at both summer racetracks – Del Mar and Saratoga.  He did race on February 4^th as a 3 year old to break the current mold.

So the odds are in favor of the fact that the 2013 Kentucky Derby winner has not had a 3 year old Kentucky Derby prep race yet.

Will the 2013 Derby winner move up the date of a first race a  3 year old?  Who knows?

We are now barely 9 weeks away from the first Saturday in May.  The Road to the Kentucky Derby starts in earnest now  for every owner, trainer and fan of a promising 3 year old.  Who will be looking for their 2013 Kentucky Derby tickets?

Those participants on Kentucky Derby Tours can’t wait.  We would love to have you join us.  To see our exciting 2013 itinerary – go to https://kentuckyderbytours.com/itinerary/