New Innovative Drag-Reducing Jockey Silks Debuting in this Year’s Kentucky Derby
Chitu, trainer Bob Baffert’s entry for the Kentucky Derby. Photo courtesy of Coady Photography.
A new and innovative jockey silk will be racing around the historic oval at Churchill Downs on May 3rd in this year’s Kentucky Derby – Speed Silks® jockey silks. These silks are the brainchild of Matt Darby and Darby Racing Technology LLC, who uncovered the product’s Aero Dimplex® material and crafted it into jockey silks that are poised to dominate the future of racing silks for years to come.
Look for Mike Pegram’s silks in the Kentucky Derby! Photo courtesy of Speed Silks.
“When race outcomes like the Kentucky Derby can be determined by a nose or neck, having an aerodynamically engineered fabric surrounding the jockey that reduces drag, can make all the difference between going down in history or simply being a runner up,” stated Darby. The fabric is textured much like a golf ball with dimpling that moves air across it with minimal resistance. Thoroughbred race horses can reach speeds of up to 40 miles per hour and Quarter Horses can reach top speeds of 55 miles per hour, so drag is as important in horse racing as it is in auto racing or cycling.
Photo courtesy of Speed Silks.
Jockey silks are worn by jockeys to represent the ownership or trainer of the horse. Speed Silks jockey silks, helmet covers and pants are currently being sported by some of the biggest names in horse racing, including Bob Baffert, Ken Ramsey, Bode Miller, Bill Casner and Mike Pegram. Not only do these silks perform on the racetrack, they also offer owners some very creative graphic options since Speed Silks are colored by dye sublimation rather than the traditional sewn-on patchwork. This further reduces weight and drag caused by seams.
“The entire team at Darby Racing Technology is thrilled that our Speed Silks jockey wear will be featured in the Kentucky Derby –and possibly be in the winner’s circle– within a year of their introduction,” said Darby. “The first Saturday in May can’t get here quickly enough.”
Horses scheduled to run in the Kentucky Derby wearing Speed Silks jockey ware –
Hoppertunity- Owners: Mike Pegram, Karl Watson, et all, Jockey: Mike Smith
Vicar’s in Trouble- Owners: Ken and Sarah Ramsey, Jockey: Rosie Napravnik
Chitu- Owners: Tanma Corporation, Jockey: Martin Garcia
We Miss Artie- Owners: Ken and Sarah Ramsey, Jockey: Javier Castellano
Photo courtesy of Speed Silks.
Speed Silks® is a registered trademark of Darby Racing Technology LLC. The Speed Silks line consists of silks, helmet covers, jockey pants and boot sleeves. All are form-fitting and made entirely of Aero Dimplex®, a patented aerodynamically-engineered fabric that’s textured to actively reduce drag.
Visit SpeedSilks.com to learn more.
