The 1987 Kentucky Derby was the 113th running of the Kentucky Derby. The race took place on May 2, 1987.
The Kentucky Derby is a horse race that is held annually in Louisville, Kentucky, United States, on the first Saturday in May….which caps a two-week-long Kentucky Derby Festival. The race is a Grade I stakes race for three-year-old Thoroughbreds at a distance of one and a quarter miles (2.0 km) at Churchill Downs….in a race where colts and geldings carry 126 pounds (57 kilograms) and fillies 121 pounds (55 kilograms).
The race is often called “The Run for the Roses” on account of the blanket of roses draped over the winner. It is also known in the United States as “The Most Exciting Two Minutes In Sports” or “The Fastest Two Minutes in Sports” in reference to its approximate duration. It is the first leg of the American Triple Crown….and is followed by the Preakness Stakes….then the Belmont Stakes. Unlike the Preakness and Belmont Stakes….which took hiatuses in 1891–1893 and 1911–1912, respectively….whereas the Kentucky Derby has been run every consecutive year since 1875. A horse must win all three races to win the Triple Crown. The attendance at the Kentucky Derby ranks first in North America and usually surpasses the attendance of all other stakes races including the Preakness Stakes, Belmont Stakes, and the Breeders’ Cup.
This video showcases Dave Johnson on the call for the race….who is a legendary caller of big-time horse races….as he makes the call from start to finish…..which ended up with Alysheba taking home the win….as he was trained and ridden by horse racing legends Jack Van Berg and Chris McCarron respectively. Alysheba was owned by a mom and daughter from Midland, Texas, Dorothy and Pamela Scharbauer…..whom Bone Daddy the original Sportsphile knew while growing up in God’s Country out in West Texas. Bet Twice, ridden by Craig Perret came in 2nd….while Avies Copy, ridden by Mickey Solomone captured 3rd….in what is considered the roughest and most physical Kentucky Derby in the history of the race.
