Handicapper John Mucciolo's Top 5 Kentucky Derbies

Mar 22, 2024 John Mucciolo/TwinSpires.com

As we are approaching the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 4, I will take a look back at my handful of favorite editions of the Run for the Roses. The list is not composed of the best winners, nor the closest finishes; it’s simply a group of races that have stuck in my head most prominently over the years, in no particular order.

2001 (My Biggest Windfall)

I was on the Monarchos bandwagon for the entire winter and spring of 2001, and I kept the faith in him at Churchill Downs. Sent off at a generous 10-1 and breaking from the 16 post, the John T. Ward trainee made a sweeping move in the stretch and powered clear to a most impressive victory. I tabbed the first three finishers in exact order, as well, though I’m fairly optimistic that I will never achieve that again.

1998  (First Derby in Person)

My first Derby! I spent the day in the infield with my family, and it’s surely something that I, nor my people, will ever forget. It’s an event that you can’t fully appreciate unless you are there in person. And it was an added bonus that I did make a minor profit after Real Quiet swept to the lead in early stretch and held on late.

2015 (Best Prediction)

After watching eventual Triple Crown winner American Pharoah streak home a brilliant victor of Del Mar Futurity (G1) in his juvenile campaign, I was convinced that he would go on to win the Kentucky Derby the following season. American Pharoah didn’t run anywhere near his best race in Louisville, in my opinion, but his overall class prevailed at the end. He was poetry in motion.

2000 (Most ‘In Awe’ Moment)

The sensational turn of foot produced by Fusaichi Pegasus in the 2000 edition left me with chills. I was at Emerald Downs and left speechless of what I had just witnessed from the Neil Drysdale trainee. The result did not help my financial situation at the time, but seeing greatness like that eased the pain.

1995 (Most Unique Location)

I have watched the Kentucky Derby from numerous different locations across the country, but I witnessed the powerful score from Thunder Gulch in Tijuana, Mexico, at a casino named Caliente. Trained by D. Wayne Lukas, the 24-1 longshot was not the most ballyhooed colt from his shedrow, but he was no fluke, either. And the sophomore paid for my day as I did have a minor investment on him, too!