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Big Brown wins 134th Kentucky Derby
Associated Press
Triple Crown
The crowd of 157,770 was on its feet and cheering as the big, unbeaten, muscular bay crossed the line first, 4 3/4 lengths ahead of the filly Eight Belles.
Trainer Rick Dutrow Jr. was still celebrating, along with thousands of happy bettors, as Big Brown and the 19 other horses in Saturday's race galloped out around the first turn at Churchill Downs.
It took a few minutes to sink in, but anyone watching those horses soon realized that one of them had fallen to the track.
"It's the filly," someone whispered. She went down about a quarter mile past the finish line.
In just a few minutes, the joy of the Derby and the promise of a new Triple Crown season were upended when Eight Belles was euthanized by injection on the track.
She had broken both front ankles and could not be saved.
"This horse showed you his heart," winning jockey Kent Desormeaux said, "and Eight Belles showed you her life for our enjoyment today. I'm deeply sympathetic to that team for their loss."
Big Brown did everything his owner said he would do. An explosive finishing kick put away his rivals for his fourth consecutive victory.
Eight Belles, meantime, was attempting to become the fourth filly to win the Derby. Her owners chose to keep her out of Friday's Kentucky Oaks so she could run with the boys in the Derby. And run she did.
Big Brown's start from the outside post did little to hamper his charge when the field turned for home. Under the urging of Desormeaux, the 2-1 favorite cruised to an easy victory to become the seventh undefeated Derby winner. The last one was Barbaro in 2006.
That wasn't the only reason thoughts of Barbaro were hard to ignore on this Derby Day.
The breakdown brought back memories of the 2006 Preakness, where Barbaro shattered his right rear leg just after the start. The colt was euthanized months later, after developing laminitis from the catastrophic injuries.
In two weeks, Big Brown will race in the Preakness as the only 3-year-old with a chance to become the first Triple Crown champion since Affirmed in 1978.
"We're ready to roll," Dutrow said.
All week, Dutrow told the world he had the best horse in the field - and the big bay colt justified every accolade tossed his way.
"I can't describe the feeling that all of us have right now," he said.
The colt became the first Derby winner since Regret in 1915 to have raced only three times previously. He is only the third in 60 years to win after racing in just two Derby preps - Sunny's Halo in 1983 and Street Sense last year were the others.
In addition, Big Brown became the second winner to start from the No. 20 post. The gelding Clyde Van Dusen did it in 1929.
Big Brown covered the 1 1/4 miles in 2:01.82 in front of the second-largest crowd in Derby history. He paid $6.80, $5 and $4.80.
Eight Belles paid $10.60 and $6.40, and Denis of Cork, at odds of 27-1, returned $11.60.
Dr. Larry Bramlage, the Derby's on-call veterinarian, said the filly's injuries were too severe to even attempt to move her off the track.
"She didn't have a front leg to stand on to be splinted and hauled off in the ambulance, so she was euthanized," Bramlage said.
Trainer Larry Jones paid tribute to his fallen filly saying, "She ran the race of her life."
And he defended having her run against 19 colts in the Derby.
"It wasn't that. It wasn't the distance. It wasn't a big bumping match for her. She never got touched," he said. "She passed all those questions ... with flying colors. The race was over, all we had to do was pull up, come back and be happy. It just didn't happen."
Tale of Ekati was fourth, followed by Recapturetheglory, Colonel John, 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.
The colt earned $1,451,800 for the win and boosted his earnings to $2,114,500 for owners IEAH Stables and Paul Pompa Jr. Pompa, who named Big Brown in honor of United Parcel Service, a client of his trucking business, sold a 75 percent interest in the colt to IEAH for about $3 million after his first race.
Desormeaux won the Derby for the third time, having won aboard Real Quiet in 1998 and Fusaichi Pegasus in 2000. Only three other riders have won more - Eddie Arcaro, Bill Hartack and Bill Shoemaker.
"It was smooth sailing all the way," Desormeaux said. "The horse was very comfortable."
Big Brown was the third favorite to win in the past five years. Smarty Jones won in 2004 and Street Sense won last year.
All eyes were on Big Brown at the start. Dutrow called his colt the fastest of all and he proved it when Desormeaux gunned him close the lead on the mad dash to the first turn. Desormeaux did a masterful job of keeping Big Brown free and clear of any traffic issues.
As the field headed into the backstretch, Big Brown was in sixth place and waiting for Desormeaux's signal to make his move. It came around the far turn, and Big Brown took the lead at the top of the stretch and was never challenged to the wire.
"I don't even know what we just did," Dutrow said. "I can't express my feelings, only that it was one of the most incredible feelings I ever had, and I can't wait to feel it again."
Member Comments
Hillary like Eight Bell will not be victorious, who knows horesie heaven may be a good spot for her as some one wrote frolicking & smoking grass sounds like fun they can both frolic in peace {lol}
windycitybluez5/17/2008 20:47:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Gotta hand it to Hillary she's giving it everything she got just like Eight Belles !!!<br /><br />A lotta heart !!
frankmjerry5/5/2008 23:21:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Ps - Hope Hillary doesn't breakdown running second !
frankmjerry5/5/2008 23:19:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Big Brown an "Omen "for November ?<br />Big Obama in Novemberr !!
frankmjerry5/5/2008 23:15:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Desparado girl, this is strictly a post for people to post their opinions, so your post about horsey heaven and frolocking along some grassy field telling everyone else that their opinions dont matter, is straight up hypocritical, seems like you may need to see a counseler for food for thought of how to get over your issues, but its the real world wake up and smell the coffey, **** happens, and its unfortunate what did happen, but in no way justifies you to tell everyone else that their opinions dont mean anything, and no one was being ignorant, except you in your fantasy world obviously posting a comment about something totally off subject about your life, either way, good race, unfortunate event, people can say whatever they want, as for the glory of humanind, sigh, who knows one day we might see it.
Huh19695/5/2008 5:44:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
dpjunge, don't be an idiot. One of my neighbors growing up had to retire from the NFL because of a broken leg. Back in 1961 his leg was broken, because of this break he was unable to return to the NFL. He had a wife, daughter and 3 sons to support. Back then players didn't get a large retirement settlement so he had to find different work. True he wasn't euthanized, but part of his heart was.
Annwithane5/4/2008 19:57:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Ya'll need to wake up and smell the roses, and not the ones at the Kentucky Derby either!Horse Racing is called the Sport of Kings for a reason, Kings kill People for their own entertainment,satisfaction,and power play,they throw them in the pits to be eaten by the Lions,HOW EXCITING! Just like the Horses are now the Sport of Kings,innocent,Pure of Heart,Horses are thrown to the Track to Die for all the Mon ey and Glory of Humankind!We are our own Worst Enemy,as well as any Living thing we get our GREEDY LITTLE HANDS on,so If you haven't been on the Farms,Barnside,or Trackside like I have ,Don't express your Opinion.Because We all supposedly have a right? to our opinion,My opinion,and I Quote the Great George Carlin,"My opinion is that your Opinion doesn't Count!"Some food for thought there all you folks out there that are posting your ignorent and undocumented comments on this site and subject.Eight Of Belles DID win the 134th Derby,She ran herself to the Finish Line and right out of Human Hell to Horse Heaven.Now she can run for Fun if she wants too,or Not.She can frolic and Pick Grass to her Hearts and Bellies Delight.She has Won Her Last Race, and Fought Her Last Fight.See folks,the Fact and Nature of Man and Beast is Fight or Flight,Yes you too.I have seen and Heard, in the Early morning hours on my way to work on one of the so called Glorious Horse Farms,Horses SCREAMING IN AGONY at 5:00 am While locked in their stalls.While a farm owner and his wife burned a barn FULL of Training Horses Down to the Ground , Because of a Bitter,Greedy Divorce Settlement.Have any of you Heard or SEEN a Horse Burn ALIVE , the wonderfull smell of Hide and Hair Burning first thing in the morning does alot for your appetite and soul.I know I could'nt go to work that morning on the Training Farm where I was heading that beautiful early morning, as other Horses were already breezing and galloping on training tracks all around me.My horses had a Swing Groom that Day, as I still Live with that Memory Fresh in my mind.Thanks for the Memories Folks!
Desparadogirl5/4/2008 17:06:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Didn't mean for that to post 3 times... and the "Bleep" is Nedrecks. You figure it out.
Ninja8125/4/2008 14:47:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Rodeo is even worse. Talk about animal torture. They don't even bet on that, they just use it to sell beer and chew to rednecks.
Ninja8125/4/2008 14:39:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Rodeo is even worse. Talk about animal torture. They don't even bet on that, they just use it to sell beer and chew to rednecks.
Ninja8125/4/2008 14:39:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Rodeo is even worse. Talk about animal torture. They don't even bet on that, they just use it to sell beer and chew to rednecks.
Ninja8125/4/2008 14:39:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
This so called sport is designed for what purpose? The purpose is to breed a horse that can run as fast as it can without breaking down for the amusment and profit of others. Using breeding/genetics to produce an animal that won't know enough to stop at the onset of an injury because it has been bred with the personality to withstand pain Go to any betting parlor, and you will see the motivation for this profession. It is about money. For if it weren't for the ability to bet on horses, this industry, as well as all of the fringe industries that make a living off of it, would no longer exist. Not all horses get treated like royalty by all handlers, jockeys, and owners. And regardless of their care, they are still bred as beasts of burden so that people can bet on them, profit, and be entertained. Anyone who has spent considerable time in the business falls back on how well they treat their animals...well, where is that arguement when you eliminate the betting? When you take away the fuel the fire goes out, as would horse racing. Now that statement threatens a lot of people. Politicians like the income to the state, vets who speccialize in equine medicine profit handsomely as well, and stables fetch high prices for stud services, and other associated benefits.<br /><br />Horse racing will not go away until those who patronize it, leave it for good.
themadamerican5/4/2008 12:03:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
This so called sport is designed for what purpose? The purpose is to breed a horse that can run as fast as it can without breaking down for the amusment and profit of others. Using breeding/genetics to produce an animal that won't know enough to stop at the onset of an injury because it has been bred with the personality to withstand pain Go to any betting parlor, and you will see the motivation for this profession. It is about money. For if it weren't for the ability to bet on horses, this industry, as well as all of the fringe industries that make a living off of it, would no longer exist. Not all horses get treated like royalty by all handlers, jockeys, and owners. And regardless of their care, they are still bred as beasts of burden so that people can bet on them, profit, and be entertained. Anyone who has spent considerable time in the business falls back on how well they treat their animals...well, where is that arguement when you eliminate the betting? When you take away the fuel the fire goes out, as would horse racing. Now that statement threatens a lot of people. Politicians like the income to the state, vets who speccialize in equine medicine profit handsomely as well, and stables fetch high prices for stud services, and other associated benefits.<br /><br />Horse racing will not go away until those who patronize it, leave it for good.
themadamerican5/4/2008 12:03:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Yeah im gonna go you guys need lives like seriously is this all you do go on the internet and bicth like your agiant ok do something complain like looser on comment gonna do alot HAVE FUN. Bye ****
Polgara5/4/2008 10:40:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
SnoopTommyTom<br />5/4/2008<br />9:56 AM<br />Brown and many others have presented many facts to back their and my opinion of horse racing.<br />Have you read any of the facts, or only the mispelling of the word, rude?<br />Get yourself into some perspective.
citizen_barbara5/4/2008 10:36:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
ranchgal...get a grip. The people involved in racing are constantly trying to improve things like racing surface, safety, training and veterinary practices. Not care about the horses?? Are you serious..the horses are everything in this sport..they are expensive, well cared for, generally pampered animals. And most grooms, trainers, & riders' lives revolve around these horses. As for the money issue...yes, there are some big purses out there, but most owners spend more money on years of buying, caring for and training the horses than they ever make back. <br />Also, hundreds of races are run every day across the country without incident...it is heartbreaking when bad things do happen...but it IS NOT THE NORM.
rj35/4/2008 10:28:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
YEAH POLGARA! Horse racing IS abuse! Thousands of people are brutally subjected to video images of this c r_a p every day. And when the Kentucky Derby or some other big race happens millions of people suffer the indescribable pain.
JuiceSyringe5/4/2008 10:25:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
I have a horse she was a harness raacer but does not like to pace she would love to race at a gallop. And some horses do not like to gallop my horse Odin like to jump, not race
Polgara5/4/2008 10:19:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
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