LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Running away from 19 rivals, Big Brown dominated Saturday's 134th running of the Kentucky Derby, winning by four and three-quarters lengths in a race that was marred by the death of Eight Belles, who finished second.
Big Brown became the first horse since 1915 to win the Kentucky Derby with three or fewer starts coming into the race. He started from the unfavorable outside post position No. 20, but neither that not his lack of racing experience proved to be a problem.
After the race, the filly Eight Belles collapsed after pulling up. According to Dr. Larry Bramlage, among the on-call veterinarians Saturday at Churchill Downs, she broke both of her front ankles and was euthanized on the track. Eight Belles is trained by Larry Jones, who won the Oaks with Proud Spell.
Under jockey Kent Desormeaux, who became a three-time Kentucky Derby winner, Big Brown broke sharply and bided his time coming into the first turn while racing five paths off the rail. Desormeaux sat patiently before asking Big Brown for his best on the far turn. The undefeated son of Boundary responded, passing horses with ease before taking over the lead near the top of the stretch.
It was a one-horse race from there as Big Brown galloped uncontested through the stretch before a crowd of 157,770. The running time for the mile and a quarter run over a fast track was 2:01.82. Big Brown, the favorite in the wagering, returned $6.80 for a $2 bet to win.
Eight Belles finished three and a half lengths in front of the long shot Denis of Cork. The owner Rick Porter had so much confidence in her that he decided to bypass Friday's Kentucky Oaks, which is for fillies only, to race against males in the Derby. Only three fillies have won the Derby and none since Winning Colors in 1988.
Big Brown, who made his debut last year in a grass race at Saratoga, has won all four of his career starts with ease and will now head into the Preakness at Pimlico on May 17 as an overwhelming favorite. He is trained by Richard Dutrow Jr. and is owned by International Equine Acquisitions Holdings Stables.
