Edgar Prado aboard Barbaro wins the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., Saturday , May 6, 2006. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta)
Via Forbes/AP
A hero and his horse won the Kentucky Derby on Saturday. Undefeated Barbaro stormed into the lead at the top of the stretch and won convincingly - by 6 1-2 lengths - to give trainer Michael Matz his first Derby victory and jockey Edgar Prado his first winning ride.
Matz' joyous day came nearly 17 years after he led three children to safety following the crash of United flight 232 from Denver to Chicago into an Iowa cornfield.
The two brothers and their sister are now grown and joined Matz in the grandstand at Churchill Downs, where they cheered the strapping bay colt onto his sixth consecutive win.
Given a masterful ride by Prado, Barbaro beat a full field of 20 3-year-olds - considered one of the toughest in years.
With Sinister Minister and Keyed Entry setting the pace, Barbaro settled in right behind and made his move around the far turn, just as he had in winning his first five races.
The Florida Derby winner, making his first start in five weeks, had plenty left in the tank to hold off Bluegrass Cat.
Steppenwolfer was third, and there was a dead heat for fourth between Brother Derek and Jazil.
Barbaro becomes the sixth undefeated winner, following Smarty Jones in 2004.
Sent off as the 6-1 second choice by the crowd of 157,536 - the second largest in Derby history - Barbaro covered the 1 1/4 miles in 2:01.36, well off Secretariat's record of 1:59 2/5 in 1973.
The son of Dynaformer, owned by Gretchen and Roy Jackson's Lael Farm, returned $14.20, $8 and $6. Bluegrass Cat, trained by Todd Pletcher, returned $28.40 and $15.40. Steppenwolfer paid $7.80 to show.
Sweetnorthernsaint, the surprise 5-1 favorite, finished seventh. Lawyer Ron finished 12th.
Barbaro overcame a scary start, when he stumbled briefly but quickly righted himself. By the first turn, he was racing among the leaders, and in perfect position to make his winning move.
"This is a very excellent horse," Prado said. "All the time he showed me the quality horse he is. ... Dreams come true."
too bad the horse looked off on its' left front leg walking off the track after the race. Probably won't be the next Triple Crown winner.
Posted by: Tavi22 | 06 May 2006 at 05:29 PM
Oh, I didn't notice that. Too bad as the way Barbaro was still pulling away, I thought there was a good chance to go the longer distances at the Preakness.
Posted by: Pal2Pal (Sara) | 06 May 2006 at 05:44 PM
I train horses (not for racing) and was watching it with a horse vet that also works at the track and we both saw it at the same time as did the farrier we were with. If he is injured they will wait a few days to announce anything. I would hate to see that happen as Matz is an excelent trainer and a exceptional horseman unlike many of the trainers at the track who are more of handicappers turned trainers.
Posted by: Tavi22 | 06 May 2006 at 05:52 PM
Sounds like you know what you are talking about. I am not a big racing fan, but always watch the Ky Derby because many years it falls on my birthday (not this year). My Dad used to tell me when I was little that it was a party just for me. Kids are so gullible! But, I will try to follow the news in the next week. Thanks for the heads up.
Posted by: Pal2Pal (Sara) | 06 May 2006 at 06:20 PM
Interesting coincidence????
Posted by: Tavi22 | 20 May 2006 at 06:34 PM