Does Pedigree Matter Any Longer in the Kentucky Derby?
The startling upset wins by Giacomo in the 2005 Kentucky Derby and Mine That Bird in the 2009 Kentucky Derby, both at odds of greater than 50-1 and both with a DI over 4.00, have led to speculation that pedigree may no longer be as important as it once was in defining the classic American Thoroughbred. After all, Giacomo’s sire, Holy Bull, had previously sired only one major stakes winner on the dirt at a distance beyond nine furlongs. That horse was Thunder Blitz, winner of Aqueduct’s 2003 Grade 3 Queens County Handicap at 9 furlongs and beaten in Monarchos’ 2001 Kentucky Derby by almost nine lengths. Adding to concern about Holy Bull as a classic sire was the short 7.65 furlong average winning distance of his progeny in North American open stakes races. Mine That Bird’s sire, Birdstone, although a classic winner, is a young sire with no established pattern regarding the distance capability of his get. One can speculate about the type he should transmit; however, there are numerous ex
