Pedigrees: Kentucky Derby Winners Quiz

Answer: Spectacular Bid

Spectacular Bid was the 1979 winner of the Kentucky Derby. He went on to win the Preakness, but failed to win the Belmont. With 26 victories in 30 starts his winnings was a then record setting amount. His sire, Bold Bidder also sired the 1974 Derby winner, Cannonade.

His grandsire, Bold Ruler, was the sire of Secretariat, the Kentucky Derby winner in 1973. Exterminator was the Derby winner in 1916, while Bold Venture won in 1936.

Answer: Winning Colors

Winning Colors won the Kentucky Derby in 1988. She was only one of three fillies to accomplish the feat. She was voted outstanding filly of the year in 1988. Derby winners Pensive (1944) and Ponder (1949) are among the ancestors of Winning Colors. Pink Star won the Derby in 1907 and Gato Del Sol in 1982.

Answer: Whirlaway

Whirlaway was the fifth Triple Crown winner. In 1941 Whirlaway won the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes. Whirlaway's ancestors included Ben Brush, the winner of the 1896 Derby. Count Fleet won the Derby in 1943, while Swaps won in 1955.

Answer: Giacomo

Giacomo was the winner of the 2005 Kentucky Derby. At odds of 50-1, it was the second biggest longshot to ever win the race. Giacomo was owned by the co-owner of A&M records, Jerry Moss. Sting recorded for A&M, both as a solo artist and with The Police. Giacomo was named after Sting's son, Giacomo.
His Eminence was the 1901 winner of the Derby. Venetian Way won in 1960.

Answer: Sea Hero

Sea Hero was the winner of the 1993 Kentucky Derby, going off as a 13:1 longshot. Sea Hero had Derby winners War Admiral (1937) and Northern Dancer (1963) as ancestors. Zev won the Kentucky Derby in 1923. Cavalcade was the winner in 1934.

Answer: Needles

Needles was the son (Ponder-1949) and grandson (Pensive-1944) of Kentucky Derby winners. He accomplished the feat in 1956. The name Needles was given to him because as a foal he had broken ribs and pneumonia and had to undergo a lot of veterinary injections. Needles won the Belmont Stakes, but fell short of the Triple Crown by placing second in the Preakness Stakes. Plaudit was the Derby winner in 1898, and Go For Gin won in 1994.

Answer: Kauai King

In 1966, Kauai King won the first two legs of the Triple Crown before coming in fourth in the Belmont Stakes. Kauai King is descended from Ben Brush, the 1896 Derby winner, on both sides of his pedigree. The Derby winner in 1958 was Tim Tam, while Alysheba won in 1987.

Answer: Gallant Fox

Gallant Fox in 1930 became the second horse to win horse racing's Triple Crown. In 1935 when Omaha won the Triple Crown, Gallant Fox became the first Triple Crown winner to sire a Triple Crown winner. In 1954, Determine won the Kentucky Derby, and Charismatic was the 1999 winner.

Answer: Real Quiet

In 1998, Real Quiet won both the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes, but lost by a nose in the Belmont Stakes, dashing hopes for a Triple Crown winner.
Black Gold was the 1924 Derby winner, and Foolish Pleasure was the winner in 1975.

Answer: Aristides

Aristides won the very first Kentucky Derby in 1875. At that time the race was a mile and a half, not being cut to a mile and a quarter until 1896. There were no roses either, because they were not introduced until 1896 also.
Sir Huon was the 1906 Derby winner, and Lawrin won in 1938.