The 2002 Kentucky Derby was the 128th running of the Kentucky Derby. The race took place on May 4, 2002,[2] and 145,033 people were in attendance.[3] The race was won by War Emblem who led from start to finish.
The field was considered evenly matched, especially after the scratch of Buddha, who had won the Wood Memorial. The favorite was Harlan's Holiday, who had won both the Florida Derby and Blue Grass Stakes. He went off at odds of 6–1, then the longest starting price for a favorite in Derby history. Medaglia d'Oro and Saarland, who had finished second and fourth in the Wood Memorial respectively, went off at odds of 7–1.[4][5][6]
War Emblem was a relative longshot at odds of 20–1, despite having won the Illinois Derby in frontrunning fashion on April 6. Shortly after that race, he was purchased by The Thoroughbred Corporation (owned by Saudi Prince Ahmed Salman) and was put into training with Bob Baffert. Baffert trained the colt aggressively to build up his stamina, and quipped, "If this horse wins the Derby, it will be the best and shortest training job ever."[4]
As expected, War Emblem went to the early lead, running the first quarter-mile in 23.25 seconds and the half in :47.04. Jockey Victor Espinoza was then able to slow down the pace slightly as the colt maintained a lead of 1+1⁄2 lengths down the backstretch and around the final turn. In the final furlong, War Emblem opened up his lead to four lengths under a hand ride. Espinoza said that he knew no one could catch them as the colt had been moving so easily. He completed the 1+1⁄4 miles in 2:01.13, then the seventh fastest Derby in history. Another longshot, Proud Citizen, finished second, resulting in an exacta payout of $1,300.80 for a $2 bet.[1][4]
Scratched: Buddha, Danthebluegrassman
Source: Equibase Chart[1]
Several horses went on to record Grade I wins:
Medaglia d'Oro
Harlan's Holiday
Johannesburg
Essence of Dubai
Sources: American Classic Pedigrees, Equibase, Blood-Horse Stallion Register, Racing Post