1955 Kentucky Derby

Horse race August 2026 81st Kentucky Derby Grade I stakes race Kentucky Derby Churchill Downs May 7, 1955 1 1/4 miles Swaps 2:01 4/5 2.80-1 Bill Shoemaker Mesh Tenney Rex C. Ellsworth Three-year-olds Dirt 1954 1956 The 1955 Kentucky Derby was the 81st running of the Kentucky Derby. The race took place on May 7, 1955.http://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/horses/triple/derby/2015/02/10/countdown-kentucky-derby-remembering-winner-swaps/23141143/ Countdown to the Kentucky Derby Remembering 1955 winner Swaps Courier-journal.com 2015-02-10 2016-06-17https://www.kentuckyderby.com/history/year/1955 1955 Kentuckyderby.com 2016-06-17 The race carried a purse of $152,500 of which winner Swaps received $108,400, a then record.https://drf.uky.edu/catalog/1950s/drf1955050901/drf1955050901_1_5 Swaps Wins Kentucky Derby as Nashua Finishes Second Daily Racing Form at University of Kentucky Archives 1955-05-09 2018-11-26 Winner of the Kentucky Derby Swaps was a California bred American thoroughbred racehorse. Swap's became the first "All-California" colt to win the Kentucky Derby. Known as the "California Comet", this not being the only nickname he had many other nicknames. His second most popular one was the "California Cripple." This name was given because of how many injuries he had and still ended up winning the Kentucky Derby. Trainer of Swaps Swaps was trained by Meshach (Mesh) Tenney. Tenney was born on November 16, 1907, and worked with Swaps. Swaps then ended up winning the title of United States Horse of the Year in 1956 with the assistance of Mesh Tenney. Mesh Tenney was known for the night before the 1955 Kentucky Derby because he slept in Swap's stall. Race description The 2-year-old champion (Nashua) and Swaps were some of the biggest competitors and "brought one of the biggest East-West showdowns in Derby history." (Courier Journal)Rees Jennie Derby countdown Swaps, 1955 https://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/horses/triple/derby/2015/02/10/countdown-kentucky-derby-remembering-winner-swaps/23141143/ 2021-12-01 The Courier-Journal en-US Swaps established a steady pace for the beginning of the race, Eddie Arcaro and Nashua started to stalk in the third and moved on the outside of Swaps. Swaps ended up speeding up and winning by 1 1/2 lengths. Swaps covered the last-quarter mile with the time of 49 2 5 seconds. Full results 1955 Kentucky Derby Chartshttps://drf.uky.edu/catalog/1950s/drf1955050901/drf1955050901_10_1 Official Racing Charts: Churchill Downs Daily Racing Form at University of Kentucky Archives 1955-05-09 2018-11-26 Finished Post Horse Jockey Trainer Owner Time / behind (lengths) 1st 7 Swaps Bill Shoemaker Mesh Tenney Rex C. Ellsworth2:01 4/5 2nd 5 Nashua Eddie Arcaro James E. Fitzsimmons Belair Stud1 1 2 3rd 9 Summer Tan Eric Guerin Sherrill W. Ward Dorothy Bryan Firestone Galbreath6 1 2 4th 1A Racing Fool Henry Moreno Loyd Gentry Jr. Cain Hoy Stable4 5th 8 Jean's Joe Steve Brooks William B. Finnegan Murcain Stable1 2 6th 1 Flying Fury Conn McCreary Loyd Gentry, Jr. Cain Hoy Stable1 1 2 7th 4 Honeys Alibi William Harmatz Joe Inzelone W-L Ranch Co.3 4 8th 2 Blue Lem Chris Rogers Harvey C. Fruehauf Harvey C. Fruehauf3 1 2 9th 3 Nabesna John H. Adams John W. Clark Clifford Mooers 1 1 2 10th 6 Trim Destiny Lois C. Cook Cecil Locklear G. Rollie White 10 Payouts $2.00 wager returns $7.60 profit, therefore $5.60 profit. The win, place and show payoffs are based on a $2.00 bet.ViewerJS https://drf.uky.edu//scripts/ViewerJS/#../../catalog/1950s/drf1956050502/0517_4.pdf 2021-12-01 drf.uky.edu Extra information Winning Breeder: Rex C. Ellsworth; (CA) Track rating: Fast References 1955 Kentucky Derby Derby Kentucky Kentucky Derby Category:1955 in Louisville, Kentucky