Last Filly To Win Kentucky Derby, Winning Colors, Euthanized
Winning Colors, the 1988 Kentucky Derby winner who was the last filly to win the race, was euthanized February 17 after a bout with colic. The 23-year-old Caro mare, who was in foal to Mr. Greeley at the time of her death, was buried in Lexington at Greentree Farm, which is now part of Gainesway.
As a 3-year-old, Winning Colors thrilled Kentucky Derby watchers when she led wire to wire under jockey Gary Stevens, defeating Forty Niner. She also won the Santa Anita Derby (gr. I) and Santa Anita Oaks (gr. I) that year. Her earnings totaled $1,526,837 and a record of 8-3-1 from 19 starts.
Her win at Santa Anita helped Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas, who bought Winning Colors as a yearling for $575,000 at the 1986 Keeneland July sale for the late Eugene Klein, decide she could compete with the colts at the Kentucky Derby.
Winning Colors was the third filly to win the Kentucky Derby, after Regret in 1915 and Genuine Risk in 1980.
Her Kentucky Derby win was “really special” to horse trainer D. Wayne Lukas. Winning Colors was the first of four Kentucky Derby winners for him.
Besides being the last and one of only three fillies to win the Kentucky Derby, Winning Colors also finished third in the Preakness Stakes (gr. I) and was second to undefeated champion and Hall of Fame member Personal Ensign in the 1988 Breeders’ Cup Distaff (gr. I).
"Last Filly To Win Kentucky Derby, Winning Colors, Euthanized" was posted on 19 February 2008 11:11 PM under Horse Racing News, Horses, Kentucky Derby, Special Features
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