Kentucky Derby Trainer Wins Led By B A Jones
Five Florida Derby Colts Since 1990 Have Won Run for the Roses
Apr 30, 2009
Trainers and their Thoroughbred prospects for major stakes victories are inseparable. Is it the trainer who brings out innate ability in a horse, or can the talented horse be conditioned by anyone?
History would seem to bear out that a savvy trainer who learns about his horse can be the key to a Thoroughbred's exceptional career. While Seabiscuit and Whirlaway languished in other hands, Tom Smith and Ben A. Jones, respectively, implemented patience and found the keys to their kingdoms.
When others doubted his training regimens for Unbridled and Street Sense, Carl Nafzger guided his two charges to the Kentucky Derby winner's circle.
Jones became the master of his day. He conditioned arguably the greatest horse in history, Citation, in 1948, after he found the right equipment change for the strong-headed Whirlaway (1941), including his jockey, Eddie Arcaro.
Winningest Trainers and Their Thoroughbreds
- Ben A. Jones --- 8 Derby champions --- Lawrin, 1938 - Whirlaway, 1941 (fifth of 11 all time Triple Crown champions) - Pensive, 1944 - Citation, 1948 (eighth Triple Crown champion) - Ponder, 1949 (son of Pensive) - Hill Gail, 1952
- H.J. Thompson --- 4 Derby champions --- Behave Yourself, 1921 - Bubbling Over, 1926 - Burgoo King, 1932 - Brokers Tip, 1933
- D. Wayne Lukas --- Winning Colors (filly), 1988 - Thunder Gulch, 1995 - Grindstone, 1996 - Charismatic, 1999
- Bob Baffert --- 3 Derby champions --- Silver Charm, 1997 - Real Quiet, 1998 - War Emblem, 2002
- James "Sunny" Fitzsimmons --- Gallant Fox, 1930 (second Triple Crown champion) - Omaha, 1935 (third Triple Crown champion, son of Gallant Fox) - Johnstown, 1939
- Max Hirsch --- Bold Venture, 1936 - Assault, 1946 (seventh Triple Crown champion) - Middleground, 1950
- John McGinty --- 2 Derby champions --- Leonatus, 1883 - Montrose, 1887
- James Rowe Sr. --- Hindoo, 1881 - Regret (first of just three fillies to win Kentucky Derby), 1915
- Horatio Luro --- Decidedly, 1962 - Northern Dancer, 1964
- Henry Forrest --- Kauai King, 1966 - Forward Pass, 1968
- Lucien Laurin --- Riva Ridge, 1972 - Secretariat, 1973 (ninth Triple Crown champion)
- W.C. "Woody" Stephens --- Cannonade, 1974 - Swale, 1984 (son of 1977 10th Triple Crown champion Seattle Slew)
- LeRoy Jolley --- Foolish Pleasure, 1975 - Genuine Risk (filly), 1980
- Lazaro Barrera --- Bold Forbes, 1976 - Affirmed, 1978 (11th Triple Crown champion)
- Charlie Whittingham --- Ferdinand, 1986 - Sunday Silence, 1989
- Nicholas P. Zito --- Strike the Gold, 1991 - Go for Gin, 1994
- Carl Nafzger --- Unbridled, 1990 - Street Sense, 2007
Florida Derby Finishers Who Won Kentucky Derby
Florida Derby Finish:
- 2008 --- Big Brown, 1st
- 2006 --- Barbaro, 1st
- 2001 --- Monarchos, 1st
- 1995 --- Thunder Gulch, 1st
- 1994 --- Go for Gin, 4th
- 1991 --- Strike the Gold, 2nd
- 1990 --- Unbridled, 1st
All of the above Thoroughbreds won the Kentucky Derby in the year noted.
