Shoemaker's Derby Triumph: Legendary Ride

This year marks 40 years since Jackie Billy Shoemaker claimed his fourth and final Kentucky

Derby win on May 5, 1986, riding the 17-1 Longshot, Ferdinand at Churchill Downs.

Born tiny, at 2 pounds 6 ounces, Shoemaker turned that early edge into a Hall of Fame

career, stacking 8,833.

Victories to rank third all time in North American Racing History.

No chief entered as the 3-1 favorite with a young Alex Salisa board, but Shoemaker drew

the dreaded number one post and dropped to dead.

Last early on, at 54 years old, the oldest Jackie ever to win the Derby.

He swung wide in the stretch, slipped through a tight gap, and powered Ferdinand home.

First for trainer Charlie Woodingham's initial Derby triumph at age 73.

Fans loved the underdog magic, echoing Jack Nicklaus' master's thunder that spring

at 46.

Broadcasters like Jim McKay and Al Michaels hyped Shoemaker's legend status, noting you

couldn't get those odds on him, even with a cartoon horse.

The win captor resume packed with 11 triple crown races and multiple Hollywood gold cups.

Shoemaker later trained horses with mixed results, survived a severe car wreck suing forward

for over $1 million and passed in 2013.

Woodingham grabbed another Derby in 89, while Ferdinand ended up slaughtered in Japan

years later, fueling outrage and failed U.S. horse, slaughter bans.

That 86 rides still defines grit in the saddle, reminding us legends don't fade.

They just wait for the perfect stretch run.

From your city, powered by AI, this is California News Today.

I'm Corey with the story.