Often called ‘the most exciting two minutes’ in sports, it was the 135th running of the famed Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville – the first leg of the Triple Crown. The one and a quarter mile race boasted a purse of $2,000,000.
The race was won by the 50-1 long shot Mine That Bird, ridden by jockey Calvin Borel with a time of 2:02:66 and paid $103.20. The horse is trained by Bennie ‘Chip’ Woolley Jr. and is owned by Mark Allen of Double Eagle Ranch in Roswell, New Mexico. The win was the second biggest upset in Kentucky Derby history.
The race favorite, I Want Revenge was scratched this morning after coming up lame because of a left front ankle injury. There was no clear cut favorite among the rest of the field of 19 three-year old thoroughbreds, that some were calling a solid yet unspectacular group. Who can forget last year, when second place finisher Eight Belles had to be put down at the end of a magnificent run. See photos and video here.
The bad economy took a toll this year. There was no free breakfast under the tents and corporate sponsorships were way down. Even the popular Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association dinner was canceled.
The ‘Run for the Roses’ lush blanket of 554 roses was placed on the back of #8, Mind That Bird. Finishing second was Pioneer of the Nile, and taking third was Musket Man. A total of 153,563 fans were on hand to cheer them across the finish line.
Check out the race video below. There were plenty of star athletes and Hollywood celebrities in town too.