The 2008 Kentucky Derby

The Super Bowl and World Series both have a rich sporting history but the granddaddy of them all is the Kentucky Derby, which will be run for the 134th time at Churchill Downs in Louisville Kentucky on the first Saturday in May, (May 3, 2008)

The first run for the roses was held in 1875, with about 10,000 in attendance. Aristides won that day and began the wonderful tradition of the Kentucky Derby

Known as “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports.” this years 2008 Kentucky Derby attendees will be over 150,000.

Many great horses have won the Derby and Secretariat probably stands out as my personal favorite. Winner of the 1973 Kentucky Derby and still holds the record for fastest time. Secretariat went on to win the Preakness and Belmont Stakes and a sensational sweep for the Triple Crown.

During 1970s Seattle Slew and the huge rivalry between Alydar and Affirmed captured the horseracing communities heart.

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Good Story From the AP:

448 3-year-olds nominated for Triple Crown races, including 2-year-old champ War Pass

Nick Zito is back on the Kentucky Derby trail in a big way: The two-time Derby winning trainer nominated 19 3-year-olds for the Triple Crown races, including his unbeaten 2-year-old champion War Pass.

A near-record 448 thoroughbreds -- 446 males and 2 fillies -- were made eligible for the Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes when early nominations were released at midnight Sunday. The nominating fee was $600.

Four-time Eclipse Award winner Todd Pletcher led all trainers for the fifth year in a row, this time with 31 nominees. Pletcher ended an 0-for-28 run in Triple Crown races last year when his filly Rags to Riches won the Belmont Stakes. Among his promising 3-year-olds are Cowboy Cal and Monba.

Zito hopes to have a few starters of his own for the May 3 Derby. After sending out a record-equaling five Derby starters in 2005 -- his best finish was seventh with Bellamy Road -- the trainer missed the last two Derbys.

Among Zito's other prospects are Anak Nakal, Aquarian, Cool Coal Man and Paint.

The record of 450 early nominations was set a year ago.

"We are pleased once again with the spectacular response from horsemen around the world," Ed Seigenfeld, the executive vice president of Triple Crown Productions, said in a statement.

The nominees also include 20 thoroughbreds based outside the United States, with Irish trainer Aidan O'Brien leading the way with seven. Saeed bin Suroor, who trains for Dubai's Sheik Mohammed, nominated three horses.

War Pass, owned by Robert LaPenta, has won all four of his starts under Zito and capped his unbeaten 2-year-old season with an impressive 4 1/2 -length winner over Pyro in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile on Oct. 27. The colt also won the Champagne Stakes.

War Pass is scheduled to make his 3-year-old debut this month at Gulfstream Park, followed by the Tampa Bay Derby on March 15 and the Wood Memorial at New York's Aqueduct Racetrack on April 5 .

Other trainers with 10 or more nominees are Richard Mandella with 14, four-time Derby winner D. Wayne Lukas and Barclay Tagg (13 each), Steve Asmussen and Ken McPeek (12 each) and three-time Derby winner Bob Baffert and Bill Mott (10 each).

Baffert's Indian Blessing, the 2-year-old champion filly, was not among the early nominees. The eligible fillies are Starlet Stakes winner Country Star and Demoiselle winner Mushka.

Asmussen, who trains Horse of the Year Curlin, counts Pyro and Kodiak Kowboy -- the 2-3 finishers in the BC Juvenile-- and Z Fortune among his top Triple Crown prospects this year. Mott trains promising colts Court Vision, Majestic Warrior and Z Humor.

Ahmed Zayat's Zayat Stable, with 11 nominees, led all owners for the second year in a row.

There are still chances to become eligible for the Triple Crown races, but the price rises considerably. The late nomination period closing March 29 carries a $6,000 fee. After that, 3-year-olds can be made eligible before the Derby for a $200,000 supplementary fee.

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Stay tuned the 2008 Kentucky Derby promises to be exciting. Try Kentucky Derby Pie it's a great desert for your Kentucky Derby Party?

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