2015 Kentucky Derby

Horse race January 2026 Dirt 141st Kentucky Derby 2015 Kentucky Derby logo.svg Official logo for the 2015 Kentucky Derby Kentucky Derby Churchill Downs 2015 5 2 American Pharoah 2:03.02 3-1 Victor Espinoza Bob Baffert Zayat Stables, LLC Fast 170,513 2014 2016 The 2015 Kentucky Derby was the 141st running of the Kentucky Derby. The race was run at 6:44 pm Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) on May 2, 2015, at Churchill Downs.http://www.kentuckyderby.com/visit/plan-your-trip-kentucky-derby-and-oaks Your Trip to the Derby 2015 2015 Churchill Downs Incorporated It was broadcast in the United States on the NBC television network.http://www.kentuckyderby.com/watch Watch the Derby 2015 Churchill Downs Incorporated March 15, 2015 March 16, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150316032655/http://www.kentuckyderby.com/watch dead Kentucky native Ashley Judd voiced the opening for the telecast of the race, and was the first woman to do so.Doxsie Don http://qctimes.com/sports/columnists/doxsie/eye-openers-bears-needed-defense-but-did-the-white-thing/article_a5bca4d8-25bb-52c0-95d2-d8cc3769c734.html Eye Openers: Bears needed defense, but did the White thing May 2, 2015 Qctimes.com May 4, 2015https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/ashley-judd-to-be-first-woman-to-narrate-opening-of-kentucky-derby/ Ashley Judd to be first woman to narrate opening of Kentucky Derby Fox News Associated Press April 25, 2015 May 4, 2015 The weather was warm, and a record 170,513 people attended.http://www.wdrb.com/story/28961472/kentucky-derby-141-breaks-attendance-record Kentucky Derby 141 breaks attendance record May 2, 2015 May 3, 2015 WDRB News Ragsdale Travis The 2015 race also set a wagering record with parimutuel betting of $137.9 million.Press Release Record $194.3 Million Wagered, All-Time High 170,513 Attend Kentucky Derby http://www.paulickreport.com/news/the-biz/record-194-3-million-wagered-all-time-high-170513-attend-kentucky-derby/ Paulick Report May 4, 2015 May 2, 2015 Jockey Victor Espinoza rode American Pharoah to victory after taking the lead in the homestretch. The race marked the fourth Kentucky Derby win for horse trainer Bob Baffert and the third win for Espinoza. Qualification Road to the Kentucky Derby The Kentucky Derby is a race for 3-year-old Thoroughbred horses. The 2015 field was determined by a points system that was introduced in 2013.http://www.kentuckyderby.com/road/about About the Road to the Kentucky Derby 2015 Churchill Downs Incorporated March 15, 2015 May 26, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150526062900/http://www.kentuckyderby.com/road/about dead Field The post position draw of the entries for the Kentucky Derby was held on Wednesday, April 29, 2015, at the Churchill Downs Racetrack clubhouse.http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/91643/tale-of-verve-among-22-entered-for-ky-derby Tale of Verve Among 22 Entered for KY Derby Blood-Horse.com April 29, 2015 April 29, 2015 Mitchell Ron American Pharoah was installed as the 5-2 morning line favorite.Kentucky Derby favorite American Pharoah draws post 18 https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/horseracing/2015/04/29/american-pharoah-kentucky-derby-draw-dortmund-carpe-diem/26573455/ April 30, 2015 April 29, 2015 Mihoces Gary USA Today Sports The day after the draw, Todd Pletcher scratched Stanford, stating that the horse was "fine" but they were not pleased with the draw and had been "on the fence" about running in the Derby.http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/91684/ky-derby-stanford-out-frammento-in KY Derby: Stanford Out, Frammento In Blood-Horse.com April 30, 2015 April 30, 2015 Novak Claire On May 1, El Kabeir was scratched due to a possible hoof problem;http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/91722/el-kabeir-scratched-from-kentucky-derby El Kabeir Scratched From Kentucky Derby Blood-Horse.com May 1, 2015 May 1, 2015 Novak Claire however, the also-eligible Tale of Verve did not get a chance to run since the scratch was made after the cutoff time that allows also-eligible runners to start in the race. Early on race day, International Star was also scratched after having problems with his left-front foot.http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/91745/international-star-scratched-from-the-derby International Star Scratched from the Derby Blood-Horse.com May 2, 2015 May 2, 2015 Angst Frank Overall, the 2015 field was considered "the deepest and most talented in decades". Trainer Bob Baffert had the top two favorites: American Pharoah and Dortmund.Kentucky Derby 2015: American Pharoah Wins a Close Race Drape Joe The New York Times May 2, 2015 May 3, 2015 https://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/03/sports/american-pharoah-wins-2015-kentucky-derby.html Dortmund, winner of the Santa Anita Derby, was 6–0 entering the race, a feat matched by 1977 winner Seattle Slew and 2004 winner Smarty Jones. American Pharoah was 4–1, having placed fifth in his debut before running off four straight victories, including an eight-length win in the Arkansas Derby. Baffert described the experience as like being "on pins and needles all week long", as reporters and fans expected one of his two horses to win. Other notable horses in the field included the undefeated Florida Derby winner Materiality; Wood Memorial winner Frosted; UAE Derby winner Mubtaahij; and Sunland Derby winner Firing Line, who had lost to Dortmund twice by very narrow margins. Race description thumb|National Guard providing security at the winners circle at Churchill Downs on Derby day The weather on race day, May 2, 2015, was warm. A record setting 170,513 fans watched the race live at Churchill Downs. The 2015 race also set a record for money wagered with $137.9 million bet from all sources on the Derby and $194.3 million for the entire day of racing. Eighteen horses started the race, which was the eleventh on the race card and started at 6:43 p.m. Television viewership was also higher than in previous years. The Nielsen ratings for the race were 9.6/23, which translated into roughly 16 million viewers.Blood-Horse Staff Average of 16 Million Viewed KY Derby on NBC http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/91813/average-of-16-million-viewed-ky-derby-on-nbc May 6, 2015 May 5, 2015 Dortmund was the first out of the gate, followed closely by Firing Line and then American Pharoah.11th Race, Churchill Downs, May 2, 2015 Equibase May 2, 2015 May 3, 2015 http://www.equibase.com/static/chart/pdf/CD050215USA11.pdf https://web.archive.org/web/20150504193842/http://www.equibase.com/static/chart/pdf/CD050215USA11.pdf dead May 4, 2015 In the early stages of the Kentucky Derby, Dortmund and Firing Line traded the lead several times. Carpe Diem and American Pharoah were also at the front of the pack, just behind the leaders.https://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/the-turnstile/kentucky-derby-215451739.html Busbee Jay May 2, 2015 American Pharoah wins Kentucky Derby The Turnstile Yahoo! Sports May 2, 2015 Dortmund took the inside position and held it throughout the race. As the horses came around the final turn, it was a three-horse race. Dortmund held the lead on the inside, but Firing Line, running more toward the middle of the track, passed him. American Pharoah, ridden by Victor Espinoza, took the final turn very wide but had the lead by a head in the homestretch. From there, he increased his lead, winning with a time of 2:03.02. Firing Line finished second, one length back; Dortmund took third, three lengths off the lead. Frosted and Danzig Moon rounded out the top five.American Pharoah wins 141st Kentucky Derby USA Today May 2, 2015 https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/horseracing/2015/05/02/american-pharoah-kentucky-derby-winner/26767737/ May 3, 2015 Gary Mihoces It was second straight Derby win for Espinoza, who rode California Chrome to victory in 2014, and his third overall. "I feel like the luckiest Mexican on Earth", he declared after the race. For trainer Bob Baffert, it was his fourth Derby victory and his first since 2002. Espinoza and Baffert had teamed up to win the 2002 Kentucky Derby with War Emblem. For owner Ahmed Zayat, it was his first Derby victory and the end of a streak of losses. His horses had placed second in three of the previous six Kentucky Derbies, including 2009 when American Pharoah's sire, Pioneerof The Nile, finished second. Additionally, Zayat's 2010 entry, Eskendereya, was the morning line favorite but had to scratch with a career-ending leg injury. "I'm speechless", Zayat said. "No more seconds ... This is one special horse ... This is a dream come true." Zayat collected $1.4 million for the win out of the $2.2 million total purse.American Pharoah rules in Kentucky Derby Los Angeles Times May 2, 2015 Klein Gary http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-kentucky-derby-20150503-story.html May 3, 2015 American Pharoah became the first two-year-old champion to win the Derby since Street Sense in 2007.Hammonds Evan Favored American Pharoah Wins Kentucky Derby http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/91764/favored-american-pharoah-wins-kentucky-derby Blood Horse May 3, 2015 May 2, 2015 Results Finish Program #(Position)Because of scratches, horses with higher program numbers moved closer to the rail in the starting gate. For example, American Pharoah had saddle cloth number 18 but started from the 15th stall in the starting gate. Post position can be critical as horses strive to get good position going into the first turn of the race. Horse Jockey Trainer Morning LineOdds Final OddsMargin(lengths) Winnings Points118 (15)American Pharoah Victor Espinoza Bob Baffert5-22.9$1,240,000160210 (9)Firing Line Gary Stevens Gary Stevens (jockey) Simon Callaghan12-19.51$400,0005838 (7)Dortmund Martin Garcia jockey Bob Baffert3-14.33$200,000170415 (12)Frosted Joel Rosario Kiaran McLaughlin15-110.33 1 4$100,00011355 (5)Danzig Moon Julien Leparoux Mark E. Casse30-122.68 1 2$60,0004563 (3)Materiality Javier Castellano Todd Pletcher12-111.57 3 4100714 (11)Keen Ice Kent Desormeaux Dale Romans50-145.88 3 42286 (6)Mubtaahij Christophe Soumillon Michael de Kock20-114.49 1 2100913 (10)Itsaknockout Luis Saez Todd Pletcher30-130.610 1 460102 (2)Carpe Diem John Velazquez Todd Pletcher8-17.7111601121 (18)Frammento Corey Nakatani Nick Zito50-169.51220129 (8)Bolo Rafael Bejarano Carla Gaines30-131.912 3 4301317 (14)Mr. Z Ramon A. Vazquez D. Wayne Lukas50-136.615 1 234141 (1)Ocho Ocho Ocho Elvis Trujillo James M. Cassidy50-126.115 1 2301520 (17)Far Right Mike E. Smith Ron Moquett30-139.215 3 4621616 (13)War Story Joe Talamo Tom Amoss50-145.319 1 444174 (4)Tencendur Manuel Franco jockey George Weaver George Weaver (racehorse trainer)30-152.335411819 (16)Upstart José Ortiz José Ortiz (jockey) Richard Violette15-115.760 1 27621scratched12International Star Miguel Mena Miguel Mena (jockey) Michael MakerSCR - -17119scratched7El Kabeir Calvin Borel John TerranovaSCR - -9520scratched11Stanford Florent Geroux Todd PletcherSCR - -4022scratched22Tale of Verve Brian Hernandez Jr. Dallas StewartSCR - -0 Track – Fast Times: 1 4 mile – 23.24; 1 2 mile – 47.34; 3 4 mile – 1:11.29; mile – 1:36.45; final – 2:03.02. Splits for each quarter-mile: (23.24) (24.10) (23.95) (25.16) (26.57) Source: Equibase Chart Payout The Kentucky Derby Payout Schedule Program Number Horse Name Win Place Show 18American Pharoah   $7.80 $5.80 $4.2010Firing Line – $8.40 $5.408Dortmund – – $4.20 $2 Exacta: (18–10) $72.60 $1 Trifecta: (18–10–8) $101.00 $1 Superfecta: (18–10–8–15) $634.10 Subsequent Grade I wins Several horses from the Derby went on to later wins at the Grade I level. Most notably, American Pharoah went on to win the American Triple Crown and was named Horse of the Year.American Pharoah http://www.equibase.com/profiles/Results.cfm?type=Horse&refno=9314281&registry=T www.equibase.com April 15, 2020 American Pharoah – Preakness Stakes, Belmont Stakes, Haskell Invitational, Breeders' Cup Classic FrostedFrosted profile http://www.equibase.com/profiles/Results.cfm?type=Horse&refno=9330751&registry=T&rbt=TB www.equibase.com April 15, 2020 – 2016 Metropolitan Handicap, Whitney Stakes Keen IceProfile of Keen Ice http://www.equibase.com/profiles/Results.cfm?type=Horse&refno=9317888&registry=T www.equibase.com April 15, 2020 – Travers Stakes Mubtaahij – 2017 Awesome Again Stakes BoloBolo http://www.equibase.com/profiles/Results.cfm?type=Horse&refno=9379735&registry=T&rbt=TB www.equibase.com April 15, 2020 – 2019 Shoemaker Mile Stakes References 30em Category:Kentucky Derby races Derby Kentucky Derby Category:May 2015 sports events in the United States Category:2015 in Louisville, Kentucky Kentucky