In our lobby, our Winners Circle & throughout the Museum, Kentucky Derby winner Orb now takes his place in history. Stop by the Museum as we celebrate his win!

Despite 139 consecutive years of tradition, it seems each year’s edition of the Kentucky Derby brings something different to the table. For 2013, Churchill Downs introduced a new points system to determine the field, replacing the use of graded stakes earnings. Many trainers were concerned about the lack of emphasis on the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile and long-time prep races such as the Illinois Derby. Still, this year’s Run for the Roses™ had one of the deepest and most talented fields in recent memory.

Derby dreams reached a fever pitch the week of the race with many talented horses looking to claim the role of favorite. Two horses from the East Coast were receiving great amounts of attention: Orb, winner of the Fountain of Youth Stakes and Florida Derby and Verrazano, the undefeated winner of the Wood Memorial. From the West Coast came Goldencents, winner of the Santa Anita Derby. His team consisted of 2012 Kentucky Derby winning trainer Doug O’ Neill, partial owner and University of Louisville basketball coach Rick Pitino and jockey Kevin Krigger, riding for history as the first African-American to win the Kentucky Derby since Jimmy Winkfield in 1902. Revolutionary, winner of the Louisiana Derby, also received quite a bit of attention. Trained by Todd Pletcher with recently announced Hall of Fame jockey Calvin Borel in the saddle, Revolutionary went from 10-1 on the morning line to just over 6-1 at post time.

For the race deemed impossible to handicap, one great truth of the Kentucky Derby is that pace makes the race. And, the 139th Derby saw a blistering one. Dogwood Stable’s Palace Malice led heading into the clubhouse turn, followed interchangeably around the backstretch by Goldencents, Vyjack, Oxbow and Verrazano. Orb settled in the back of the pack as did Revolutionary. When Mark Johnson announced a ½ mile of 45 and change, spectators knew they were in for an unpredictable finish.

As the field hit the top of the stretch, Normandy Invasion took the lead. Goldencents and Verrazano fell victim to the fast pace and began to fade. Revolutionary closed quickly from far back, as did longshot Golden Soul. However, none could match the closing kick of Orb, charging down the middle of the track and drawing away to win by 2 ½ lengths under Joel Rosario.

History and Tradition made a great mark on the 2013 Derby. Despite this being the first win for the connections, all have enjoyed great success in the industry. Orb is bred and owned by cousins Stuart S. Janney III and Ogden Mills “Dinny” Phipps, both of whom have a long history of champion Thoroughbreds. Trainer Claude R. “Shug” McGaughey is private trainer for the Phipps family having great success with horses such as Easy Goer and champion filly Personal Ensign. Jockey Joel Rosario is only 28 but adds this Derby victory to his 2013 Dubai World Cup win aboard 2011 Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom.

By Chris Goodlett

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Wednesday, May 1, 2013) – Fans who visit Churchill Downs Racetrack (“CDRT”) and the Kentucky Derby Museum (“KDM”) on Thursday, May 2 will have a rare opportunity to admire a pair of winners of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (Grade I) when 2003 winner Funny Cide and Mine That Bird, the long shot victor in 2009, make joint appearances at both venues.

Mine That Bird is in limited residence through the end of June at the Kentucky Derby Museum. Funny Cide will travel from his current home at the Kentucky Horse Park near Lexington to celebrate the 10th anniversary of his triumph in the “Run for the Roses.”

The Derby winners will be joined at both venues by key members of their respective teams. Jack Knowlton, the managing partner of the Sackatoga Stable partnership that owns Funny Cide, and jockey Jose Santos will join the 2003 winner. Trainer Chip Woolley, who saddled Mine That Bird for his 50-1 upset victory in the 2009 Derby, will be at the side of the New Mexico-based star.

The two Kentucky Derby champions, who rank among the most popular winners of the great race during the past 25 years, will visit the Churchill Downs paddock during Thursday’s 5th race, which has a scheduled post time of 2:47 p.m. (all times Eastern). They are expected to arrive in the paddock at 2:20 p.m. and will depart after the conclusion of the race.

Both Derby winners will be available earlier in the day at the Kentucky Derby Museum for photo-ops from 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. in the back garden. Fans will be invited to walk by the horses’ stalls for photos, and Knowlton and Santos will be in the museum’s barn area to greet fans and sign autographs during that time (a gift shop purchase is required for signatures).

“Mine That Bird is our first Derby winner housed on-property at the museum and we are thrilled to now showcase two winners at the same time for this peak day of Derby week,” said Lynn Ashton, executive director of the Kentucky Derby Museum. “It’s a rare opportunity in life to get close to one Kentucky Derby winner – much less two – and offering this lifetime experience for fans is a treat for the Museum.”

“The Kentucky Derby is all about pursuing – and achieving – a dream, and these two champions embody the dream of winning America’s greatest race as much as any Derby winners in memory,” said Kevin Flanery, president of Churchill Downs Racetrack. “Each holds a special place in Derby lore and we appreciate the desire of their owners to share their beloved stars as we prepare to add another name to the elite roster of Kentucky Derby winners in Saturday’s 139th Derby.”

Funny Cide made Kentucky Derby history as the New York bred trained by Barclay Tagg knocked off favored Empire Maker to become the first gelding since 1929 to earn Derby roses. He went on to win the Preakness (GI), the second jewel of racing’s Triple Crown, by 9 3/4 lengths before he finished third in a rematch with the victorious Empire Maker in the Belmont Stakes, the Crown’s final jewel. The son of Distorted Humor was named the champion 3-year-old of 2003 and won 11 of 38 races and earned $3,529,412 during his six-year career on the track.

Mine That Bird, owned by Double Eagle Ranch and Buena Suerte Equine, stunned onlookers at Churchill Downs when the 50-1 long shot rallied from last in a field of 19 under jockey Calvin Borel to score a 6 3/4 length victory in the 2009 Derby. The triumph by the diminutive gelding was the second-largest upset in the 138-year history of the Derby and he followed that surprising win with a strong runner-up finish to Kentucky Oaks (GI) winner and eventual Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra and a third-place run behind Summer Bird in the Belmont Stakes. Mine That Bird won five of 18 starts and amassed career earnings of $2,228,637 during his three years of racing.

Churchill Downs, the world’s most legendary racetrack, has conducted Thoroughbred racing and presented America’s greatest race, the Kentucky Derby, continuously since 1875. Located in Louisville, the flagship racetrack of Churchill Downs Incorporated (NASDAQ: CHDN) also operates Trackside at Churchill Downs, which offers year-round simulcast wagering at the historic track. Churchill Downs will conduct the 139th running of the Kentucky Derby on May 4, 2013 and its 2013 Spring Meet is scheduled for April 27-June 30. The track has hosted the Breeders’ Cup World Championships a record eight times. Information about Churchill Downs can be found on the Internet at www.ChurchillDowns.com.

Winner of the 2009 Kentucky Derby, Mine That Bird, arrived at the Kentucky Derby Museum on Monday, April 15th. He will serve as the museum’s resident Thoroughbred through the July 4th holiday.

A crowd gathered to watch him unload in front of the Museum near the Barbaro statue. He was led past the crowd to the barn area behind the Museum where he was introduced to his new roommate, the Museum’s miniature horse, Winston.

Visitors can see Mine That Bird in the museum’s stable free of charge during normal business hours.

This is the first time the Kentucky Derby Museum has had a Kentucky Derby winner stabled on the grounds to greet the thousands of Derby enthusiasts during this peak time of year.

Mine That Bird, a bay gelding retired in the fall of 2010, has been stabled in Roswell, New Mexico at co-owner Mark Allen’s Double Eagle Ranch.

A movie about the Mine That Bird story, called 50-1, has wrapped filming and is in the editing stages with famed director/producer Jim Wilson. Capturing the stories of each of the members of the team along with the legendary drive to Kentucky by trainer Chip Woolley, the movie highlights the unique blend of circumstances that led them to unexpected victory in the Kentucky Derby.

After winning the Kentucky Derby with rail-skimming jockey Calvin Borel, Mine That Bird went on to run second in the Preakness and third in the last leg of the Triple Crown, the 2009 Belmont stakes.

Film to Mark 40th Anniversary of Secretariat’s Triple Crown Campaign

Jockeys are a unique blend of athleticism, keenness and courage. Some may meet with success in their careers, but few ever reach the heights that Ron Turcotte experienced. His story is the subject of the National Film Board of Canada’s documentary Secretariat’s Jockey, Ron Turcotte, which will premiere during Kentucky Derby Week in conjunction with the 40th anniversary of Secretariat’s historic Triple Crown campaign.

This touching film, directed by award-winning filmmaker Phil Comeau and produced by the NFB’s Maryse Chapdelaine, follows Turcotte as he returns to the people and places that have marked his storied life. It provides an insider’s view of horse racing as well as an intimate glimpse of this resilient and legendary jockey, whose marveled 16-year career ended in 1978 when a fall left him paraplegic.

The world premiere, presented by the Kentucky Derby Museum and Secretariat.com, will be Thursday, May 2, at the Baxter Theatre in Louisville. The evening will begin with an optional VIP cocktail reception at 6:30 p.m., where guests are invited to join Turcotte, Secretariat’s owner Penny Chenery and other racing celebrities. Tickets can be purchased through Secretariat.com or by calling (502) 893-7997.

General admission seating to the film is $50 per ticket. Premium Admission which includes reserved seating inside the theatre and access to the private VIP reception prior to the film is available for $100 per ticket. Tickets will be available for will-call pick-up at the theatre only on the day of the event beginning at 4:00 p.m.

Ticket sales from the world premier will benefit the Secretariat Foundation, Kentucky Derby Museum, and the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund.

The Secretariat Foundation is a non-profit charitable organization created by Penny Chenery to assist the Thoroughbred industry in the areas of research, rehabilitation, retirement and recognition. Mrs. Chenery named the foundation after her great champion to use his enduring appeal to bring greater awareness to the many causes found within the equine-related community. For more information about Secretariat or the foundation, visit Secretariat.com.

Click here to buy tickets or call (502) 893-7997.

Single Barrel Bourbon to be selected by Secretariat owner Penny Chenery; Collector’s bottle features checks of blue and white jockey silk

Four Roses Bourbon’s celebration of the 40th anniversary of Secretariat’s record-breaking Triple Crown is off and running. After announcing a partnership with the Kentucky Derby Museum last month to produce a retro-inspired ceramic decanter, the distillery today released images of a second commemorative product, a collectible bottle of single barrel bourbon honoring Secretariat.

Secretariat’s owner, Penny Chenery, with Four Roses Master Distiller Jim Rutledge, will select the single barrel bourbon during a visit next week to Four Roses’ warehouse and bottling facility in Cox’s Creek, Ky.

The front of the bottle will feature an image of Secretariat with jockey Ron Turcotte, while one side will list Secretariat’s unmatched finishing times in the three races of the Triple Crown: the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes. The neck of the bottle is adorned with the blue and white checks of the Meadow Stables jockey silks.

Four Roses will produce only 3,500 Secretariat bottles, which will be available for purchase this spring at select retail outlets along the Triple Crown trail in Kentucky, Maryland and New York. The Secretariat bottles also will be available for purchase at the Kentucky Derby Museum in Louisville, Ky., beginning April 27. Jim Rutledge will be available for bottle signings that day at the Museum’s gift shop from 1 to 3 p.m.

Secretariat is widely renowned as the best and most popular thoroughbred in racing history. Beginning with his run in the 99th Kentucky Derby, Secretariat smashed long-standing track records in 1973 and captured the hearts of Americans during his Triple Crown sweep. Those records still stand to this day. The chestnut champion affectionately known as “Big Red,” and his owner, Penny Chenery, became an inspiration to many in a story of will, determination and pure speed.

The commemorative Secretariat bottle is the second component of Four Roses’ tribute to Big Red’s anniversary. In February, Four Roses and the Kentucky Derby Museum announced a partnership to release a specially created ceramic bourbon decanter, created in the style of the popular 1970s-era collectibles. The Four Roses decanter will resemble a full-bodied Secretariat, with jockey Ron Turcotte aboard. Just 500 hand-numbered ceramic decanters will be produced and will be sold at a ticketed event at the Kentucky Derby Museum on May 1.

“These will be very special bourbons, honoring a very special horse,” said Master Distiller Jim Rutledge.

Proceeds from the sale of both the Secretariat bottle and the decanter will be dedicated to preserving the history of the Kentucky Derby at the Kentucky Derby Museum and to the Secretariat Foundation benefitting equine-related causes within the racing industry.

Click here for information on the Secretariat Decanter Launch Party.

Winner of the 2009 Kentucky Derby, Mine That Bird, will make the Kentucky Derby Museum his home during the spring meet at Churchill Downs this year.

This is the first time the Kentucky Derby Museum has had a Kentucky Derby winner stabled on the grounds to greet the thousands of Derby enthusiasts during this peak time of year.

“As most Derby winners retire to stud, the opportunity to share a legendary horse with the fans at the museum is rare. However, as a gelding and a fan favorite with his 50-1 longshot win, Mine That Bird is a great fit for all involved. We appreciate Mark Allen and Dr. Blach’s generous offer to share him with us and the fans,” says Lynn Ashton, executive director at the Kentucky Derby Museum.

Mine That Bird, retired in the fall of 2010, has been stabled in New Mexico at co-owner Mark Allen’s Double Eagle Ranch. He is expected to arrive at the Derby Museum at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, April 15th as the resident thoroughbred and stay through July 4th, 2013.

Co-owner Dr. Leonard Blach says, “Mark and I think the Derby Museum is a great fit for Bird. He loves people and he deserves the attention as a Derby winner. He’s had a nice break on the ranch but with the upcoming movie, we want to give him the star treatment.”

A movie about the Mine That Bird story, called 50-1, has wrapped filming and is in the editing stages with famed director/producer Jim Wilson. Capturing the stories of each of the members of the team along with the storied drive to Kentucky by trainer Chip Woolley, the movie highlights the unique blend of circumstances that led them to unexpected victory in the Kentucky Derby.

After winning the Kentucky Derby with rail-skimming jockey Calvin Borel, Mine That Bird went on to run second in the Preakness and third in the last leg of the Triple Crown, the 2009 Belmont stakes.

The Kentucky Derby Museum most recently showcased Derby contender Perfect Drift (3rd in 2002 Kentucky Derby) as the resident Thoroughbred on the grounds and prior to that, hosted Phantom on Tour (6th in 1997 Kentucky Derby).

On Friday, April 19th, some of the biggest names in racing will join us at Fasig-Tipton to share their fondest memories of their Derby winning experiences. This unique event hosted by D. Wayne Lukas will offer the chance to spend one-on-one time with Kentucky Derby winners through an experience auction. Today we announce the first guest panelist for our “It’s my Derby”™ event, Gary Stevens.

Gary Stevens was born March 6, 1963 in Caldwell, Idaho into a family of horse people. He came to racing naturally, his father, Ron, is a trainer and had him grooming horses at age 8. His mother was a Rodeo Queen. His brother Scott is a jockey. Before he was 14, Gary was riding winners in quarter horse races at the bush tracks and fairs.

Although he remained a force in the California jockey colony, he also found himself a familiar face on the Triple Crown Trail. He won the Kentucky Derby aboard, Winning Colors (1988), Thunder Gulch (1995) and Silver Charm (1997). Winning Colors became one of only three fillies to win the Run for the Roses. He also added wins in the Preakness (1997 & 2001) and Belmont (1995, 1998 & 2001). Gary has won just about every major stakes in the United States including Breeders’ Cup races and established a very strong record abroad winning the Japan Cup, Canadian International and Dubai World Cup to name a few. He was awarded many personal awards, including the George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award, Eclipse Award for Outstanding Jockey and the Mike Venezia Memorial Award. He was inducted into the United States Racing Hall of Fame in 1998.

Gary retired from riding in 1999 due to chronic knee pain. His brief retirement lasted less than a year as he was back in the saddle in October of 2000. In 2005 Gary once again decided to hang up his tack. Besides his time in the saddle, Gary has developed a career as an actor, a television personality and sports anchor who works for both HRTV and NB Sports as a horse racing analyst. He was named as one of People Magazines 50 most beautiful people in 2003. He also wrote a book about his life appropriately called The Perfect Ride.

Hear Mr. Stevens share his stories live at “It’s my Derby”™.
Stay tuned for future announcements as we reveal the rest of the Derby winning panel.

Click here for more information. For ticket reservations, please contact:
Carla Grego cgrego@derbymuseum.org or 502-992-5905.

Retro collectible honors 40th anniversary of Triple Crown win

On May 1st, 2013 a unique, bourbon decanter featuring the likeness of Secretariat with jockey Ron Turcotte aboard will be released exclusively at the Kentucky Derby Museum. The 750 ml decanter will be filled with premium Four Roses bourbon hand-selected by owner Penny Chenery during a scheduled tasting visit to the warehouse and bottling facility located in Cox’s Creek, KY, next month. Only 500 limited-edition, hand-numbered decanters will be produced for this commemorative 40th anniversary year. The ceramic decanters were created by the Secretariat team in the style of the 70’s era collectible decanters that became popular among fans and whiskey connoisseurs.

“Fast horses and fine Bourbon are two of my favorite things. I am delighted to partner with Four Roses and the Kentucky Derby Museum in lending Secretariat’s name to this very special decanter for racing fans and Bourbon connoisseurs alike,” says Chenery.

Thoroughbred legend, Secretariat, is widely renowned as the most popular name in Thoroughbred racing. Beginning with his run in the 99th Kentucky Derby, Secretariat, smashed long-standing track records in 1973 and captured the hearts of Americans through his Triple Crown sweep. The chestnut champion affectionately known as “Big Red,” and his owner, Penny Chenery, became an inspiration to many in a story of will, determination and pure speed.

On the evening of Wednesday, May 1st fans from around the country will be the first to see the decanter and have the exclusive opportunity to purchase one hand-signed by both Penny Chenery and Ron Turcotte. Guests at this cocktail reception can enjoy a tasting of the select bourbon carefully chosen by Chenery (a longtime bourbon aficionado) and hear from her directly about the choice. Joined on stage by Four Roses’ Master Distiller, Jim Rutledge, the pair will casually guide guests through the tasting experience. Jockey Ron Turcotte will also be on hand to sign merchandise and meet guests at the event.

Master Distiller, Jim Rutledge says, “We, at Four Roses, are very proud to have our Kentucky Bourbon chosen by Penny to celebrate the greatest thoroughbred race horse of all time. We are honored to participate in the 40th anniversary of Secretariat’s Triple Crown with this unique decanter and the anniversary events with Penny and Ron Turcotte.”

The bourbon tasting event on May 1st will be the only opportunity to purchase a signed version of the decanter for $320.00. The signed bourbon decanter can be reserved online on a first-come basis with the purchase of an event ticket for $50.00. All decanters must be picked up at the Kentucky Derby Museum due to federal shipping restrictions on alcohol distribution.

For event details and more information about purchasing the commemorative decanter click here to visit the event page.

In addition to the exclusive decanter celebrating Secretariat’s 1973 Triple Crown, Four Roses will publicly release a special barrel selection, limited edition Secretariat bottle. The commemorative bottle will feature Secretariat and be adorned with the distinctive blue and white checks of the famed Meadow Stable silks. With limited distribution at select stores along the Triple Crown trail in Kentucky, Maryland and New York. It will also be available for purchase in advance at the Derby Museum.

Proceeds from the sale of both bottles will be dedicated to preserving the history of the Kentucky Derby at the Kentucky Derby Museum and to the Secretariat Foundation benefitting equine-related causes within the racing industry.