2015 Kentucky Derby

The Kentucky Derby is a race for 3-year-old Thoroughbred horses. The 2015 field was determined by a points system that was introduced in 2013. ==Field==

The post position draw of the entries for the Kentucky Derby was held on Wednesday, April 29, 2015, at the Churchill Downs Racetrack clubhouse. American Pharoah was installed as the 5-2 morning line favorite. The day after the draw, Todd Pletcher scratched Stanford, stating that the horse was "fine" but they were not pleased with the draw and had been "on the fence" about running in the Derby. On May 1, El Kabeir was scratched due to a possible hoof problem; however, the also-eligible Tale of Verve did not get a chance to run since the scratch was made after the cutoff time that allows also-eligible runners to start in the race. Overall, the 2015 field was considered "the deepest and most talented in decades". Trainer Bob Baffert had the top two favorites: American Pharoah and Dortmund. Dortmund, winner of the Santa Anita Derby, was 6–0 entering the race, a feat matched by 1977 winner Seattle Slew and 2004 winner Smarty Jones. American Pharoah was 4–1, having placed fifth in his debut before running off four straight victories, including an eight-length win in the Arkansas Derby. Baffert described the experience as like being "on pins and needles all week long", as reporters and fans expected one of his two horses to win. Other notable horses in the field included the undefeated Florida Derby winner Materiality; Wood Memorial winner Frosted; UAE Derby winner Mubtaahij; and Sunland Derby winner Firing Line, who had lost to Dortmund twice by very narrow margins. ==Race description==

The weather on race day, May 2, 2015, was warm. A record setting 170,513 fans watched the race live at Churchill Downs. Dortmund was the first out of the gate, followed closely by Firing Line and then American Pharoah. In the early stages of the Kentucky Derby, Dortmund and Firing Line traded the lead several times. Carpe Diem and American Pharoah were also at the front of the pack, just behind the leaders. Dortmund took the inside position and held it throughout the race. It was second straight Derby win for Espinoza, who rode California Chrome to victory in 2014, and his third overall. "I feel like the luckiest Mexican on Earth", he declared after the race. American Pharoah became the first two-year-old champion to win the Derby since Street Sense in 2007. Results } Track – Fast Times: mile – 23.24; mile – 47.34; mile – 1:11.29; mile – 1:36.45; final – 2:03.02. Splits for each quarter-mile: (23.24) (24.10) (23.95) (25.16) (26.57) Source: Equibase Chart ==Payout==

The Kentucky Derby Payout Schedule • $2 Exacta: (18–10) $72.60 • $1 Trifecta: (18–10–8) $101.00 • $1 Superfecta: (18–10–8–15) $634.10 ==Subsequent Grade I wins==

Several horses from the Derby went on to later wins at the Grade I level. Most notably, American Pharoah went on to win the American Triple Crown and was named Horse of the Year. • American Pharoah – 2016 Metropolitan Handicap, Whitney Stakes • Keen Ice – Travers Stakes • Mubtaahij – 2017 Awesome Again Stakes • Bolo – 2019 Shoemaker Mile Stakes ==References==