Kentucky Derby Recap: Triumph and Tragedy

Big Brown struck the front at the top of the stretch and was pursued only by Eight Belles, the only filly in the race.

Big Brown bounded home to an impressive 4 ¾-length win in the 134th running of the $2,000,000 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.

LOUISVILLE, Kentucky - IEAH Stables and Paul Pompa Jr.’s Big Brown bounded home to an impressive 4 ¾-length win in the 134th running of the $2,000,000 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.

The race was marred by the death of runner-up Eight Belles, who collapsed after the wire after fracturing both front ankles. The brave and massive gray filly, trained by Larry Jones and owned by Fox Hill Farms, was euthanized almost immediately on track.

Ridden by Kent Desormeaux, Big Brown broke alertly from post twenty on the extremely outside and was able to stay close to a moderate early pace set. Bob Black Jack led the field through fractions of :23.30 for the first ¼-mile, :47.04 for the first half-mile, and 1:11.14 for six furlongs.

Big Brown struck the front at the top of the stretch and was pursued only by Eight Belles, the only filly in the race. Big Brown never looked back as he demolished an accomplished field of twenty horses, stopping the clock for the 1 ¼-mile distance in 2:01.82. He paid $6.80, $5 and $4.80. Eight Belles, ridden by Gariel Saez, paid $10.60 and $6.40. Denis of Cork ran on late to be third and paid $11.60 to show.

Trained by Rick Dutrow, Big Brown remains undefeated from four lifetime starts. He was last seen winning the Florida Derby (GI) after breaking from the far outside post in that race as well.

Bred in Kentucky by Monticule, Big Brown is a strapping son of Boundary out of the Nureyev mare Mien.

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