Racing:Animal Kingdom came with a late run to win the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs with Aidan O'Brien's Master Of Hounds running respectably in fifth. Having his first ever run on a dirt surface, Animal Kingdom quickened up in fine style down the centre of the track to give jockey John Velazquez his first win in the special race.
Shackleford took the field along and was still in front turning into the straight when Nehro eventually wore him down. Unfortunately for Nehro he had barely taken the lead before Graham Motion’s. Animal Kingdom swept by for a fine win. Much Macho Man was third.
The favourite Dialed In was last in the first half of the race and never threatened to get involved while Master Of Hounds made headway in the straight but could not reach the leaders.
A record crowd of almost 165,000 let out a mighty roar as Velazquez, who only got the ride when his own horse was scratched and Animal Kingdom's original jockey was injured in a freak accident, surged into the lead approaching the shadows of the iconic twin spires.
"I guess it was meant to be," Velazquez said afterwards. "A lot of things happen for a reason."
Velazquez was booked to ride the one-time favourite Uncle Mo but looked destined to miss America's greatest race when the colt was scratched on Friday because of a mystery illness. But the 39-year-old jockey picked up the mount on Animal Kingdom on the eve of the race when the horse's original jockey Robby Albarado broke his nose and was kicked by a horse in a midweek race.
"In this business, it's a roller-coaster," said Velazquez. "I've been on the other end as well."
Animal Kingdom's English-born trainer Graham Motion also captured his first Kentucky Derby winner after cursing his bad fortune earlier in the week. His Wood Memorial winner Toby's Corner, one of the early favorites for the race, was withdrawn a few days ago after suffering an injury, leaving the less-fancied Animal Kingdom as his lone runner.
"Somebody said are you surprised to win with a second-tier horse and I said 'I'm not sure we would categorise him as a second-tier horse," Motion said. "He's just a very special horse and I was so impressed with how he handled everything."