Kentucky Derby has had three filly winners. New challenges make it hard to envision more. USA TODAY
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LOUISVILLE,Ky.–Onthreeremarkable,memorableandeternallycelebratedoccasionsinthe150-yearhistoryoftheKentuckyDerby,America’smostfamoushorseraceproducedAmerica’sSweetheart.
Regretin1915.
GenuineRiskin1980.
WinningColorsin1988.
TheyarenamesthatwillliveforeverinDerbylore,atriooffillieswhoconqueredwhatisarguablythemostdemandingtaskinthesport:BeatingtheboysonthefirstSaturdayinMay.
Sadly,theymaybethelastoftheirkind.
“Ithinkit’sashame,”saidveterantrainerKennyMcPeek.“WhatdidBonnieRaittsay?Let’sgivethemsomethingtotalkabout,right?”
Atatimewhenmorepeoplethaneverarepayingattentiontowomeninsports,Thoroughbredracing–inanequinesense,atleast–hasbeenwayaheadofthepack.
Thequestionofwhetheratopfillycancompeteagainstcoltshasbeenpartofthesport’smystiqueaslongashorseracinghasbeenaround.Plentyofownersandtrainersthroughouthistoryhavebeenboldenoughtotry,withfillieslikeZenyatta,RachelAlex
