2008 KENTUCKY DERBY

©2008 HORSEPHOTOS/NTRA

Big Brown is much the best winning the 134th running of The Kentucky Derby.

BIG BROWN WINS THE 134TH KENTUCKY DERBY 

KENTUCKY DERBY OFFICIAL RESULTS

MAY 3, 2008

KENTUCKY DERBY

GRADE I

CHURCHILL DOWNS; LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY

FOR THREE YEAR OLDS

ONE AND ONE QUARTER MILES

MAIN TRACK: FAST

BIG BROWN

Winner

134th Kentucky Derby

Jockey: Kent Desormeaux

Trainer: Richard Dutrow, Jr.

Owner: IEAH Stables, Michael A. Iavarone & Paul Pompa Jr.

Bay Colt

Sire: Boundry

Dam: Mien (Nureyev)

Breeder: Monticule

OFFICIAL ORDER OF FINISH

Scratches: None

 23.30, 47.04, 1:11.14, 1:36.56, 2:01.82

Attendance: 157,770

See below for complete Derby recap:

BIG BROWN DELIVERS

May 3, 2008

Churchill Downs

Louisville, Kentucky

After the nasty rainy conditions for the Oaks on Friday the weather decided to cooperate for Derby day as 157,770 fans crammed Churchill Downs to see if Richard Dutrow's sophomore colt was everything he had been advertising.  The crowd would be the second largest in Derby history in this the 134th edition to be run over a track labeled fast.

A lot was made of the favorite trying to win from the twenty hole which would make him only the second horse since Clyde Van Dusen, in 1929, to win with that starting position.  Clyde's start was a walk up start pre-starting gate.  Some pointed to the fact that Big Brown only had three prep races as a sign that he was not seasoned enough.  Others would point to persistent foot problems that had hampered the colt for a short time.  Many handicappers would also struggle with many contenders and pretenders prepping on synthetic surfaces and others on dirt and some running well on one and not the other.  All of this would not really matter in the end though as Big Brown displayed that gawky big youngster performance of an animal with so much talent that is so much better than everyone else that his potential when he fully matures just seems to be limitless.

After the break Big Brown would rate four wide into the first turn and down the backside as Bob Black Jack got the half mile in 47.04.  As the field moved into the far turn jockey Kent Desormeaux got serious as Big Brown rallied on the outside and took the lead as the field entered the stretch.  Through the lane the post-time favorite powered off to a four and three-quarter length victory in a final time of 2:01.82.  Eight Belles, the only filly in the race, ran gallantly for second but broke down after the race and had to be euthanized. Denis Of Cork was third.   Big Brown's performance was so impressive and he was so full of himself he threw his jockey on the backside after the race showing that he still had a lot of energy when all was said and done as Desormeaux would have to swing himself back aboard to get back to the winner's circle.  Post race celebration was extremely muted as the break down of Eight Belles threw pall over what should have been the celebration of a new champion to follow.  Eight Belles was a great filly and the sport was lucky to have her, and she gave us all great thrills and a super performance when it mattered and she will be truly missed by the racing community.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to her connections.

While this column should be all about the champion of today's race it should be noted that in the last few televised events that breakdowns are becoming all too common.  You can go to any racetrack in the country and you may unfortunately get a few for an entire meet.  But it seems that we are now getting them on a regular basis on the few televised events each year.  Much has been made of the synthetic/dirt argument.  Either way we need to do more for these animals.  And with the carnival atmosphere that accompanies these events it seems that the after race euphoria becomes somewhat barbaric that many people in attendance probably didn't even know that the second place runner was put down on the track.  While it is sporting entertainment have you seen another sport where when someone gets hurt and the day goes on as if nothing ever happened?  It just doesn't seem right to Eight Belles or the others that put their life on the line for two minutes of enjoyment that we cannot respect the participants for more than just entries 1 and 1A sometimes.  The NTRA would be wise to address this at some point.  I don't know what the answer is but the situation needs to be addressed.

A somber day indeed and that should make the accomplishments of Big Brown all the more incredible.  Half the battle is making it to the starting the gate the other half is a mixture of luck, stamina and the desire to want to be a champion.  We move on to Pimlico, or those who think they can compete with Big Brown, to see if the champ can win round two.  We look forward with the hope that history has a chance to be made once again.  However, while we look forward please don't forget Eight Belles who gave her all and was magnificent in finishing second. She deserves your thoughts and prayers.  See you in Baltimore.

Twenty went to the post as the field was sent off on its way with Visionaire and Smooth Air both having trouble at the break while Bob Black Jack would go to the front.  Cowboy Cal and Recapturetheglory would track the leader through the opening three-quarters in 1:11.14, all the while post-time favorite Big Brown, after breaking from the twenty hole, managed to stalk the leaders in fourth position as the field made its way into the far turn.  In the turn Big Brown would assert himself leading at the mile marker (1:36.45) and then taking command in the stretch drawing off to win The 134th Kentucky Derby by three and three-quarter lengths in a final time of 2:01.82.  The filly, Eight Belles, was second while Denis Of Cork was third.