Archive Update: Kentucky Derby (1986–1999)

1. Progress Metrics & Inventory Milestone

This report records the complete, grounded transcription and update from the post-1985 dated catalog inventory.

• Total Post-1985 Dated Targets (PR #5460): 5,407
• Completed & Verified Grounded: 26 (12 previously + 14 this update)
• Remaining in Post-1985 Corpus: 5,381
• Update Completion: 14/14 post-1985 Kentucky Derby broadcasts updated (100% of available post-1985 dated episodes in series).

---

2. Highlights

Every broadcast features iconic track announcer Paul Rogers calling the "Run for the Roses" live from Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Synopses follow the strict 100–180 character standard:

1. 112th Kentucky Derby (1986-05-03)

• Winner / Jockey: Ferdinand / Bill Shoemaker
• Synopsis:

  Paul Rogers calls the 112th Kentucky Derby from Churchill Downs as 54-year-old Bill Shoemaker guides Ferdinand through an inside rail surge to victory.

2. 113th Kentucky Derby (1987-05-02)

• Winner / Jockey: Alysheba / Chris McCarron
• Synopsis:

  Paul Rogers calls the 113th Kentucky Derby as Alysheba survives clipping heels with Bet Twice at the top of the stretch to rally for a thrilling win.

3. 114th Kentucky Derby (1988-05-07)

• Winner / Jockey: Winning Colors / Gary Stevens
• Synopsis:

  Paul Rogers calls the 114th Kentucky Derby as gray filly Winning Colors breaks alertly on the lead and holds off a fast-closing Forty Niner by a neck.

4. 115th Kentucky Derby (1989-05-06)

• Winner / Jockey: Sunday Silence / Pat Valenzuela
• Synopsis:

  Paul Rogers calls the 115th Kentucky Derby as Sunday Silence duels favorite Easy Goer down the stretch, drawing clear to win by two and a half lengths.

5. 116th Kentucky Derby (1990-05-05)

• Winner / Jockey: Unbridled / Craig Perret
• Synopsis:

  Paul Rogers calls the 116th Kentucky Derby as Unbridled makes a commanding move around the turn to win going away for 92-year-old owner Frances Genter.

6. 117th Kentucky Derby (1991-05-04)

• Winner / Jockey: Strike the Gold / Chris Antley
• Synopsis:

  Paul Rogers calls the 117th Kentucky Derby as Strike the Gold surges past Best Pal and Mane Minister in the final furlong to give Nick Zito his first win.

7. 118th Kentucky Derby (1992-05-02)

• Winner / Jockey: Lil E. Tee / Pat Day
• Synopsis:

  Paul Rogers calls the 118th Kentucky Derby as 17-1 longshot Lil E. Tee overhauls Casual Lies down the stretch, securing jockey Pat Day's first Derby victory.

8. 119th Kentucky Derby (1993-05-01)

• Winner / Jockey: Sea Hero / Jerry Bailey
• Synopsis:

  Paul Rogers calls the 119th Kentucky Derby as Jerry Bailey guides Sea Hero through a rail-skimming charge to win for octogenarian trainer Mack Miller.

9. 120th Kentucky Derby (1994-05-07)

• Winner / Jockey: Go for Gin / Chris McCarron
• Synopsis:

  Paul Rogers calls the 120th Kentucky Derby over a sloppy track as Go for Gin leads wire-to-wire, turning back Strodes Creek to win by two lengths.

10. 121st Kentucky Derby (1995-05-06)

• Winner / Jockey: Thunder Gulch / Gary Stevens
• Synopsis:

  Paul Rogers calls the 121st Kentucky Derby as 24-1 outsider Thunder Gulch breaks from the far outside and powers clear to victory for trainer D. Wayne Lukas.

11. 122nd Kentucky Derby (1996-05-04)

• Winner / Jockey: Grindstone / Jerry Bailey
• Synopsis:

  Paul Rogers calls the 122nd Kentucky Derby as Grindstone catches Cavonnier at the wire in a dramatic nose finish decided by a lengthy photo examination.

12. 123rd Kentucky Derby (1997-05-03)

• Winner / Jockey: Silver Charm / Gary Stevens
• Synopsis:

  Paul Rogers calls the 123rd Kentucky Derby as Bob Baffert's Silver Charm engages Captain Bodgit in a fierce stretch battle to win by a head.

13. 124th Kentucky Derby (1998-05-02)

• Winner / Jockey: Real Quiet / Kent Desormeaux
• Synopsis:

  Paul Rogers calls the 124th Kentucky Derby as Real Quiet takes command at the eighth pole and holds off a fast-finishing Victory Gallop by a half-length.

14. 125th Kentucky Derby (1999-05-01)

• Winner / Jockey: Charismatic / Chris Antley
• Synopsis:

  Paul Rogers calls the 125th Kentucky Derby as 31-1 longshot Charismatic bursts three-wide at the top of the stretch to hold off Menifee for the victory.