When Giacomo charged across the finish line in the 2005 Kentucky Derby at odds of 50-1, he stunned his few backers with a whopping $102 payoff. Giacomo's shocking win earned him a spot in Greatest Kentucky Derby Upsets, which explores the stories of twelve of the Kentucky Derby's most unlikely winners.
In 1904 Elwood became the first starter owned by a woman, one Lasca Durnell. In an entertaining tale surrounding this early Derby, Mrs. Durnell failed to tell her husband she had nominated the colt for the Derby — and her husband was the trainer!
In between Elwood's victory and Giacomo's, Donerail returned a record payoff in 1913 that still stands; Gallahadion bested the popular Bimelech, ending Col. E.R. Bradley's quest for a fifth Kentucky Derby win; Dark Star defeated the seemingly invincible Native Dancer; Iron Liege, a second-stringer from the Calumet Farm stable, capitalized on a rival jockey's miscue; Canonero II went from laughing stock to hero; and Genuine Risk won one for the girls.
This collection includes a chart of each race as well as a selection of historical photos. Written by the staff and correspondents of the Lexington, Kentucky-based Blood-Horse Publications, Greatest Kentucky Derby Upsets pays tribute to some of the sport's biggest underdogs and improbable heroes.
Hardcover, 256 pages.
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