Photo:

Parx / Nikki Sherman / EQUI-PHOTO

The Derby Alumni tracker checks in with the horses who raced in the Kentucky Derby, both this year and in previous years, keeping up with what they have done since they ran for the roses.

2024 Kentucky Derby

Stronghold returned to action Saturday in the Pennsylvania Derby (G1) at Parx. He settled a few lengths off the pace and made a run at Seize the Grey, but the Preakness winner had just a little bit more in the tank. Stronghold chased on, holding the place over favored Dragoon Guard, 3 3/4 lengths behind the winner.

One other entrant in the 2024 Kentucky Derby has raced recently, Mugatu. He stretched out to 1 3/16 miles on the Churchill Downs dirt for the Bourbon Flight Stakes on Saturday. Toward the rear of a six-horse field, he crossed the wire a well-beaten fourth behind Batten Down, who led at every call and set a new track record.

Society Man, who most recently ran third in the West Virginia Derby (G3), is expected to return to the track Sunday for the Oklahoma Derby (G3). Though trainer Kenny McPeek has not identified a next race for Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan, a news release from Churchill Downs noted that he has recently returned to training under tack, an important step toward getting back to the races.

2023 Kentucky Derby

Between horses who raced recently, who have been entered for upcoming spots, or both, the 2023 Kentucky Derby field has been busy: there are updates on 13 runners or entrants from that race.

Nine horses from the 2023 Kentucky Derby have raced over the last four weeks. None won their most recent starts, though four of them hit the board. Reincarnate was third behind Mixto in the Pacific Classic (G1), Jace’s Road was second in a Sept. 12 allowance-optional claiming race at Horseshoe Indianapolis, King Russell was third in an allowance Thursday at Churchill Downs, and Mandarin Hero was third in an allowance at Kawasaki on Sept. 6.

Five horses are entered for upcoming races, including four in graded company. Disarm and Hit Show are entered in the Lukas Classic (G2) on Saturday at Churchill Downs. Tapit Trice, who recently ran fourth behind Highland Falls in the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1), is scheduled to contest the Woodward (G2) at Aqueduct. Lord Miles will line up for the Vosburgh (G3) there. Rocket Can, second at the allowance level in his last start, returns to that grade for a race at Churchill Downs on Thursday.

2022 Kentucky Derby

Three entrants from the 2022 Kentucky Derby were back in action during recent weeks. The biggest highlight was Crown Pride, who succeeded on Sept. 8 in his bid to repeat in the Korea Cup (G3) at Seoul. Despite a less-than-perfect start, he pulled keenly to the lead to set the pace and opened up a large lead. Wilson Tesoro gave honest pursuit in the lane, but never threatened Crown Pride, who crossed the wire a five-length victor.

Tawny Port continued a successful turf campaign as a 5-year-old, finishing third in the Kentucky Turf Cup (G2) on Sept. 7, beaten 1 1/2 lengths by Grand Sonata. Ethereal Road, racing for the first time in two months, finished fourth at Churchill Downs on Sunday when dropping to a claiming race for the first time. He was claimed to new connections, trainer Kent Sweezey and owner Starry Night Racing.

Rattle N Roll, unraced since the 2023 Lukas Classic, is entered to make his return Sunday in this year’s Lukas Classic. Zozos, unraced since a sixth-place finish in an allowance at Saratoga in July, has been retired and will stand stud at Equistar Training and Breeding in Pennsylvania for the 2025 season.

2021 Kentucky Derby

Hidden Stash tried the Kentucky Downs lawn for the first time in an allowance-optional claiming race Sept. 7 at Kentucky Downs. Settled well off the pace behind a lone leader in the 1 5/16-mile race, he never found the needed kick to threaten and ended up seventh, 13 3/4 lengths behind the dominant winner Dripping Gold.

2020 Kentucky Derby

Three runners from the 2020 Kentucky Derby have been in recent action. Necker Island returned to stakes company for the Louisville Thoroughbred Society, a sprint at Churchill on Sept. 14. Chasing midpack through the race, he didn’t have the needed kick at the end and finished fourth, five lengths behind long shot winner Happy Is a Choice.

Two others from this field raced in allowance company recently. Storm the Court was a well beaten fourth in a dirt mile allowance at Laurel on Sunday, a race washed off of the grass. South Bend finished fifth in a 1 1/16-mile allowance on the Woodbine Tapeta on Sept. 14, closing from near the rear to finish only three lengths beaten by long shot winner Dun Drum.

2019 Kentucky Derby

The last four weeks have remained quiet for the 2019 Kentucky Derby field. Though the likes of Tax, Long Range Toddy and Gray Magician have all either worked or raced this year, none have done so in the last month.