NEWS
Big Brown storms home to capture Kentucky Derby
Posted: Saturday, May 03, 2008 6:56 PM
BIG BROWN WINNING THE KENTUCKY DERBY
Photo by Z/Matt Barton
by Frank Angst
So much for experience.
Despite racing wide through much of the race, Big Brown cruised to a 4 ¾-length victory in the $2,211,800 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) on Saturday at Churchill Downs to join Regret (1915) as the only two horses to win the Derby after just three previous starts.
The celebration of the seventh undefeated Derby winner was tempered by the breakdown of filly Eight Belles, who delivered a spectacular run to finish second in the 1 1/4-mile race. After the finish, Eight Belles broke both of her front ankles and was euthanized on the track.
While the tragedy of Eight Belles will linger in the memory of the 157,770 in attendance, Big Brown’s spectacular victory sent hearts soaring as he joined Clyde Van Dusen in 1929 as the only horses to win the Derby from post 20.
Trainer Rick Dutrow Jr. expressed confidence in Big Brown throughout the week, despite the lack of experience and wide post.
“Big Brown was telling me how to answer the questions,” Dutrow said.
After breaking well from the widest post, Big Brown eased toward the rail and entered the first turn about four wide with Santa Anita Derby (G1) runner-up Bob Black Jack posting a quarter-mile in :23.30 seconds.
Confident in Big Brown, who also won the Florida Derby (G1) from the far outside post, Racing Hall of Fame jockey Kent Desormeaux kept the Boundary colt wide through the backstretch as Bob Black Jack went a half-mile in :47.04.
Just into the far turn, Desormeaux asked for a bit more and Big Brown responded, surging to the lead at the quarter pole. Much like his Florida Derby triumph, Big Brown continued to surge to the wire with little threat from any other rival as he completed the race in 2:01.82.
“I had a beautiful, uneventful trip,” Desormeaux said after securing the third Derby triumph of his career. “There were no alterations … just slide over. He added power to his stride when I needed it.”
Michael Iavarone, co-president of majority owner IEAH Stables, said they were looking forward to starting Big Brown in the Preakness Stakes (G1), where he will join Barbaro (2006) and Smarty Jones (’04) as the third Derby winner in the 21st century to enter that race with an unblemished record.
Big Brown, who earned $1,451,800 with the victory, started his career with an 11 ¼-length victory in a turf race at Saratoga Race Course on September 3.
With his training slowed by foot problems, Big Brown opened the season with a 12 3/4–length win on March 5 in a one-mile allowance race that was moved from turf to dirt at Gulfstream Park. He then won the Florida Derby by five lengths and has now won his four races by a combined 33 3/4 lengths.
Eight Belles secured her own bit of history, becoming just the fifth filly to finish first or second in the Derby, but the celebration turned to despair after she broke down after the finish.
Larry Bramlage, the on-call veterinarian for the American Association of Equine Practitioners, said the injury is extremely painful and euthanasia was the only option.
“One of the outriders saw both ankles collapse as she was running out,” Bramlage said.
Owned by Rick Porter’s Fox Hill Farms, Eight Belles is trained by Larry Jones, who won the Kentucky Oaks (G1) on Friday with Proud Spell. No trainer has ever won the Oaks and the Derby in the same year with two fillies.
Grade 3 winner Denis of Cork, who finished fifth in the Illinois Derby (G2), bounced back with a third-place finish in the Derby, rallying from last place in the final half-mile.
Wood Memorial Stakes (G1) winner Tale of Ekati made a move in the far turn to secure a fourth-place finish. Following him was Illinois Derby winner Recapturetheglory in fifth and Santa Anita Derby (G1) winner Colonel John in sixth.
Rounding out the finishers were Anak Nakal, Pyro, Cowboy Cal, Z Fortune, Smooth Air, Visionaire, Court Vision, Z Humor, Cool Coal Man, Bob Black Jack, Gayego, Big Truck, Adriano, and Monba.
Saturday’s crowd is the second-largest in Derby history, ranking behind only the centennial 1974 edition that attracted 163,628. After a Kentucky Oaks Friday that saw more than one inch of rain fall in Louisville, the clouds parted on Saturday morning for a sunny Saturday with temperatures around 70 degrees. The off-track was upgraded to fast after the fourth race.
Desormeaux, who won the Derby with Real Quiet in 1998 and Fusaichi Pegasus in 2000, is looking forward to the Preakness.
“You saw him out there,” Desormeaux said. “I’ll let him do the talking. … Talent-wise, he’s the best horse I’ve ever ridden.”
Check the video player on the ThoroughbredTmes.com website to see a complete replay of the Kentucky Derby.
For an Equibase chart, click here.
Frank Angst is a Thoroughbred Times senior writer
