If Empire Maker is to win the Kentucky Derby (gr. I), he'll be bucking 52 years of history. While he was impressive winning both the Florida Derby and Wood Memorial (both gr. I), no horse has won both races and the Kentucky Derby. Since the first running of the Florida Derby in 1952, six individual horses have won both the Florida Derby and Wood and none of them have won the Run for the Roses. The last horse to accomplish winning the first two preps was Captain Bodgit in 1997. He ran second to Silver Charm in Louisville.

Year, Fla. Derby/Wood Winners, Ky. Derby Finish
1997, Captain Bodgit, 2nd
1996, Unbridled's Song, 5th
1980, Plugged Nickle, 7th
1972, Upper Case, did not run
1955, Nashua, 2nd
1954, Correlation, 6th

However, Monarchos, winner of the 2001 Kentucky Derby won the Florida Derby, then ran second in the Wood. In 1981, Pleasant Colony was fifth in the Florida Derby before winning the Wood and then the Kentucky Derby. Carry Back, the 1961 Derby winner, won the Florida Derby but was second in the Wood.

Kentucky Derby Winners' Previous Start

Year, Winner, Last Start (finish)
2002, War Emblem, Illinois Derby (1st)
2001, Monarchos, Wood Memorial (2nd)
2000, Fusaichi Pegasus, Wood Memorial (1st)
1999, Charismatic, Coolmore Lexington S. (1st)
1998, Real Quiet, Santa Anita Derby (2nd)
1997, Silver Charm, Santa Anita Derby (2nd)
1996, Grindstone, Arkansas Derby (2nd
1995, Thunder Gulch, Blue Grass (4th)
1994, Go for Gin, Wood Memorial (2nd)
1993, Sea Hero, Blue Grass (4th)
1992, Lil E. Tee, Arkansas Derby (2nd)
1991, Strike the Gold, Blue Grass (1st)
1990, Unbridled, Blue Grass (3rd)
1989, Sunday Silence, Santa Anita Derby (1st)
1988, Winning Colors, Santa Anita Derby (1st)
1987, Alysheba, Blue Grass (finished 1st, dq'ed to 3rd)
1986, Ferdinand, Santa Anita Derby (3rd)
1985, Spend a Buck, Garden State Stakes (1st)
1984, Swale, Lexington S. (2nd)
1983, Sunny's Halo, Arkansas Derby (1st)
1982, Gato Del Sol, Blue Grass (2nd)
1981, Pleasant Colony, Wood Memorial (1st)
1980, Genuine Risk, Wood Memorial (3rd)
1979, Spectacular Bid, Blue Grass (1st)
1978, Affirmed, Hollywood Derby (1st)

Post Positions for the Last 15 Derby Winners

2002--5
2001--16
2000--15
1999--16
1998--3
1997--5
1996--15
1995--16
1994--8
1993--6
1992--10
1991--5
1990--8
1989--10
1988--11

Historical Winning Post Positions:
1--12
2--9
3--8
4--10
5--11
6--6
7--7
8--8
9--4
10--9
11--3
12--3
13--3
14--2
15--3
16--3
17--0
18--1
19--0
20--1

Foaling Dates for 2003 Kentucky Derby Contenders: