2012 Kentucky Derby

Contenders

Prior to the race, the field was considered "unusually strong"; four time Derby winning trainer D. Wayne Lukas called it the "best bunch I've seen in a long time". The major contenders were Bodemeister (Arkansas Derby), Union Rags (Champagne, Fountain of Youth Stakes), Gemologist (Wood Memorial), Creative Cause (Norfolk, San Felipe Stakes), Take Charge Indy (Florida Derby), Dullahan (Blue Grass Stakes) and Hansen (Breeders' Cup Juvenile, Gotham Stakes). I'll Have Another went off as a relative longshot at 15:1 despite winning both the Robert B. Lewis and Santa Anita Derby.

Race

Thunderstorms the night before led to the cancellation of morning training for the riders, and, at 8:00 am EST, the track was labeled "sloppy". However, closer to the race, conditions were upgraded to "fast", the best condition for a dirt track. My Adonis was drawn into the race as an also eligible entry. If there were any entries that scratched, My Adonis would have been able to start in the race.

Bodemeister, ridden by Mike E. Smith, was leading at the quarter-mile mark with a time of 22.32 seconds. Bodemeister maintained his lead at the half-mile mark, at 45.39 seconds. During the final furlong, I'll Have Another overtook Bodemeister to win by one and a half lengths. I'll Have Another was the first Kentucky Derby winner to win from post barrier 19, while Mario Gutierrez won on his first attempt in the Kentucky Derby. Union Rags, the second-favorite to win at 9:2 odds, finished seventh.

All-sources wagering on the Kentucky Derby race was also record setting, up 18.8% from 112.0-million to $133.1-million. The previous record for all-sources wagering on the Kentucky Derby race was $118.4-million and was established in 2006.

Payout

The 138th Kentucky Derby Payout Schedule{{cite news |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220613221521/http://www.dynamicwebspace.com/10MB/duke_andy/CD050512USA11.pdf |archive-date=June 13, 2022 |url-status=live

• $2 Exacta: (19–6) paid $306.60
• $1 Trifecta: (19–6–5) paid $1,532.80
• $1 Superfecta: (19–6–5–13) paid $48,046.40

Field

The field was announced on May 2, 2012.

• Margins – lengths, neck
• Time – 2:01:83
• Track – Fast

Subsequent Grade I wins

Several horses in the Derby went on to subsequent Grade I wins.

• I'll Have Another – Preakness Stakes
• Union Rags – Belmont Stakes
• Dullahan – Pacific Classic
• Alpha – Travers Stakes, 2013 Woodward Stakes
• Trinniberg – Breeders' Cup Sprint

References

References

1. (April 30, 2012). "Watch the Derby". Churchill Downs Incorporated.
2. (May 5, 2012). "I'll Have Another wins 138th Derby". ESPN.
3. Harris, Beth. (May 5, 2012). "I'll Have Another wins Kentucky Derby". [[Yahoo.
4. (May 5, 2012). "138th Kentucky Derby: Strong field makes for unpredictable finish". [[Block Communications]].
5. "Bodemeister".
6. "Union Rags".
7. "Gemologist".
8. "Creative Cause".
9. "Take Charge Indy".
10. "Dullahan".
11. "Hansen".
12. (May 5, 2012). "Kentucky Derby 2012: Stormy Weather At Churchill Downs Cancels Morning Training". [[The Huffington Post]].
13. Cherwa, John. (May 5, 2012). "Churchill Downs track now 'fast'; Union Rags the favorite". [[Los Angeles Times]].
14. Privman, Jay. (May 4, 2012). "Kentucky Derby also-eligible My Adonis is scratched; Oaks Lily fails to draw into Kentucky Oaks". [[Daily Racing Form]].
15. Cherwa, John. (May 5, 2012). "I'll Have Another comes from behind to win Kentucky Derby". [[Los Angeles Times]].
16. Staff writers. (May 5, 2012). "Kentucky Derby day sets records for handle, attendance". Thoroughbred Times.
17. Hammonds, Evan. (May 2, 2012). "Bodemeister draw post 6". ESPN.
18. "I'll Have Another".
19. "Alpha".