| 44th Kentucky Derby | |
| Class: | Grade I stakes race |
| Horse Race: | Kentucky Derby |
| Location: | Churchill Downs |
| Date: | May 11, 1918 |
| Winning Horse: | Exterminator |
| Winning Jockey: | Willie Knapp |
| Winning Trainer: | Henry McDaniel |
| Winning Owner: | Willis Sharpe Kilmer |
| Surface: | Dirt |
| Previous: | 1917 |
| Next: | 1919 |
The 1918 Kentucky Derby was the 44th running of the Kentucky Derby. The race took place May 11, 1918.[1] Exterminator went off at odds of 30–1 to the heavily favored War Cloud. Exterminator raced at the back until the field turned for home, when he launched his bid. Nearing the wire, he passed Escoba and won the Derby by a length.[2]
| Finished | Post | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Owner | Time / behind | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Exterminator | Willie Knapp | Henry McDaniel | Willis Sharpe Kilmer | 2:10.8 | ||
| 2nd | Escoba | Joe Notter | John S. Ward | Kenneth S. Alexander | |||
| 3rd | Viva America | William Warrington | W. N. Potts | C. T. Worthington | |||
| 4th | War Cloud | Johnny Loftus | Walter B. Jennings | A. Kingsley Macomber | |||
| 5th | Lucky B | John McCabe | Oswald A. Bianchi | Oswald A. Bianchi | |||
| 6th | Jas. T. Clark | John Morys | Louis Tauber | John W. Schorr | |||
| 7th | Sewell Combs | Loyd L. Gentry Sr. | John C. Gallaher | Gallaher Bros. | |||
| 8th | American Eagle | Earl Sande | George Denney | Thomas Clay McDowell |
| Post | Horse | Win | Place | Show | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | Exterminator | $ 61.20 | 23.10 | 12.40 | |
| 1 | Escoba | 4.90 | 4.60 | ||
| 2 | Viva America | 13.20 |