MAY 3, 1980

Nineteen years ago Genuine Risk, prodded by jockey Jacinto Vasquez, became only the second filly to win the Kentucky Derby in 65 years, or since Regret won in 1915.

The chestnut daughter of Exclusive Native--the sire of 1978 Triple Crown winner Affirmed--grabbed the lead from 2-1 favorite Rockhill Native at the top of the stretch, then held off a whirlwind stretch run by Rumbo to win it.

A 13-1 shot, Genuine Risk paid $28.60, $10.60 and $4.80.

She was the first filly to make the Derby’s starting field since 1959 and only the 31st ever.

Two races before the Derby, another filly, Excitable Lady, won the $25,000 Debutante Stakes.

Rockhill Native seemed to be in control before Genuine Risk caught him, and quickly faded to fifth. The second choice, Plugged Nickle (5-2), finished seventh in a 13-horse field.

It was Vasquez’s second Derby win. His first was aboard Foolish Pleasure in 1975.

Since Genuine Risk, five fillies have run in the Derby and Winning Colors won in 1988.

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Also on this date: In 1968, the NBA’s St. Louis Hawks announced they were moving to Atlanta. . . . In 1936, the Yankees’ Joe DiMaggio had three hits--a triple and two singles--in his major league debut against the St. Louis Browns.