2001 KENTUCKY DERBY

MONARCHOS WINS THE KENTUCKY DERBY 

KENTUCKY DERBY OFFICIAL RESULTS

MAY 5, 2001

KENTUCKY DERBY

GRADE I

CHURCHILL DOWNS; LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY

FOR THREE YEAR OLDS

ONE AND ONE QUARTER MILES

MAIN TRACK: FAST

Monarchos

Winner

127th Kentucky Derby

Jockey: Jorge F. Chavez

Trainer: John T. Ward, Jr.

Owners: Mr. & Mrs. John C. Oxley

OFFICIAL ORDER OF FINISH

22:1 44:4  1:09:1  1:35:0 1:59:4

MONARCHOS WINS IMPRESSIVELY

May 6, 2001

Churchill Downs

Louisville, Kentucky

In what many are considering the biggest upset of the very young thoroughbred season Monarchos confirmed his place atop the three-year-old division with a superior performance in the 127th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.  Quietly going about his business the week before the race Monarchos managed to win the spring classic in a time of  1:59:4, the second fastest time ever turned in for the annual  race only behind the longstanding record of Secretariat.  Listening to the skeptics state all week that his horse would not live up to his former form that helped win the Florida Derby, trainer John T. Ward, Jr., was extremely confident all week by reiterating on numerous occasions that his star Monarchos was not tight for the Wood Memorial run a few weeks earlier in New York, but that he would run a big race on the first Saturday in May.  Most did not believe Ward sending the son of Maria's Mon off at 10/1 returning a generous $23.00 win mutual for his supporters.  Point Given the 9/5 favorite finished a disappointing fifth place in the field of seventeen flattening out in the lane beaten 11 1/2 lengths by the winner.  Point Given's trainer, Bob Baffert, stated his horse just didn't run and that the temperature at race time was a bit hot maybe affecting his horse.  Temperature at the time of the classic was 84 degrees.   Todd Pletcher trainee, Invisible Ink, after battling a serious life threatening condition earlier in the year ran a very credible second and Congaree, the Wood Memorial winner, trained by Bob Baffert finished third.

Jorge Chavez, the jockey of Monarchos, riding in only his fourth derby was the winning jockey and Mr. & Mrs. John Oxley were the winning owners.  This jockey, owner, trainer  combination was first successful in the 1999 Breeders' Cup Distaff when the trio sent out Beautiful Pleasure for the victory.

For the recap of the race see below.

After a good start, Songandaprayer, Balto Star and Keats scrimmaged for the early lead running the first quarter mile in a swift 22:1.  Entering the club house turn Songandaprayer took command and led the field onto the backstretch as the field started to string out.  Songandaprayer tripped the tele-timer for the half-mile in a staggering 44:4 continuing to lead the field. Balto Star and Keats continued to pressure the leader followed by Millennium Wind, Congaree, Express Tour and the 9/5 favorite Point Given who was five wide but in striking position on the backstretch.  The leader at the three-quarter pole was still Songandaprayer who led into the far turn as Millennium wind moved into third place in front of Keats but behind second place runner Balto Star.  As the filed approached the mile marker Congaree had pulled jockey Victor Espinoza to the lead maybe a little before the jockey's liking as he continued to have a good hold of the horse.  Point Given was now running in second and looked in good striking position to take the lead heading down the stretch.  The field ran the mile in 1:35:0.  Express Tour had now gained third position as the field moved into the stretch as the early leaders were now backing up and giving way to the stalkers who were running mid pack.  Monarchos was now visible as a key contender making a five wide move in the turn and was a bit wider in the stretch before running into the path of  Invisible Ink, who was making a move to pick up horses as the field started its move through the lane.  In deep stretch Monarchos passed a tiring Congaree and drew off to win the 127th running of the Kentucky Derby by 4 3/4 widening lengths in impressive fashion giving jockey Jorge Chavez his first Kentucky Derby victory.  Invisible Ink closed with what Daily Racing Form called "determination", to get up for second as Congaree settled for third.  Invisible Ink's jockey John Velazquez claimed foul against the winner Monarchos for impeding his progress at the top of the lane but the claim was disallowed by the stewards. Monarchos is a three-year-old owned by Mr. & Mrs. John C. Oxley, trained by John T. Ward, Jr. and was ridden by Jorge F. Chavez.