1957 Kentucky Derby

Last updated
83rd Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby
Grade I stakes race
Location Churchill Downs
DateMay 4, 1957
Winning horse Iron Liege
Jockey Bill Hartack
Trainer Horace A. Jones
Owner Calumet Farm
SurfaceDirt
  1956
1958  

The 1957 Kentucky Derby was the 83rd running of the Kentucky Derby. The race took place on May 4, 1957. [1] [2]

Of note, future U.S. Racing Hall of Fame inductee John H. Adams finished eighth and his son John R. Adams finished ninth.

The race was unique in that it featured 3 future members of the Hall of Fame: Gallant Man, Round Table, and Bold Ruler. However, none of them won the race. It is considered by many to be the greatest Derby field of all time.

One of the most infamous moments in Derby history also occurred during the 1957 stretch run. Bill Shoemaker, aboard Gallant Man, misjudged the finish, mistaking the 16th pole for the wire. He stood in his saddle for just a second, but it was enough to ruin Gallant Man's momentum and allow Iron Liege to rally up the inside and beat Gallant Man by a nose.

Gallant Man won the Belmont Stakes a few weeks later. Fourth place finisher Bold Ruler won the Preakness Stakes and was the sire of the great Secretariat.

Full results

FinishedPostHorseJockeyTrainerOwnerTime / behind
1st1A Iron Liege Bill Hartack Horace A. Jones Calumet Farm
2nd5 Gallant Man Bill Shoemaker John A. Nerud Ralph Lowe
3rd4 Round Table Ralph Neves William Molter Kerr Stable
4th7 Bold Ruler Eddie Arcaro James E. Fitzsimmons Wheatley Stable
5th3Federal HillWilliam CarstensMilton RieserClifford Lussky
6th6Indian CreekGeorge Taniguchi James P. Conway Ada L. Rice
7th2Mister Jive Hedley Woodhouse George M. "Bud" CarterJohn L. Applebaum
8th9Better Bee John H. Adams Del W. Carroll William S. Miller
9th8Shan PacJohn Ralph Adams Vester R. Wright T. Alie Grissom

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References

  1. "Countdown to the Kentucky Derby | Remembering 1957 winner| Iron Liege". Courier-journal.com. 2015-02-08. Retrieved 2016-06-16.
  2. "1957". Kentuckyderby.com. Retrieved 2016-06-16.