Little Current - The 1974 U.S. Triple Crown Series - Kentucky Derby

Kentucky Derby

One year earlier, Thoroughbred racing had witnessed Secretariat captivate much of the American public with his record-breaking performances en route to becoming the first Triple Crown winner in twenty-five years. One of the spillovers from Secretariat's enormous popularity was the record crowd of 163,628 who showed up at Churchill Downs on May 4, 1974 for the 100th running of the Kentucky Derby. Among those in attendance was Her Royal Highness Princess Margaret and her husband, Lord Snowden.

In light of Little Current's performances leading up to the 1¼ mile Derby, he was given little consideration by the betting public and was sent off at more than 22-1 odds. Because jockey Miguel Rivera had earlier committed to ride Rube The Great in the Derby, Bobby Ussery was aboard Little Current in the twenty-three-horse field, the largest in the race's history. Complicating matters for Little Current was the fact that trainer Lou Rondinello was in hospital recovering from surgery.

Leaving from post position 10, Little Current was last at the quarter pole and at the mile mark was still trapped behind the large field in seventeenth place. Despite a strong drive after the mile pole, he finished fifth, more than six lengths back of winner Cannonade who was ridden by Angel Cordero, Jr. As a result of the difficulties experienced by many entrants due to the large field, Churchill Downs officials, including Chairman of the Board and owner of Little Current, John W. Galbreath, adopted a new rule limiting the field to twenty horses beginning in 1975.