2011 Kentucky Derby Recap

The run for the roses is over, and a new "King" was crowned as Animal Kingdom loomed large on the turn and powered by the rest of the field in winning the 137th running of the Kentucky Derby. Congratulations must go out to the connections of Animal Kingdom. We salute owners Team Valor, trainer Graham Motion, and jockey John Velasquez, for a job well done! As noted here on the blog, Animal Kingdom, was my top longshot play, and Daily Dub liked him so much that he made Animal Kingdom his third choice in the race. Here is the IC recap for the rest of the races.

Race 1:
This starter allowance was won by a "longshot" as Uncle Pink beat a suspect field of starter allowance horses and paid $12.40 to win. IC1, Mississippi Money, shipped in from Oaklawn and ran 7th of 7 horses for hot trainer Brad Cox.

Race 2:
Class prevailed as IC1, Wordly, under Rafael Bejarano, won after dropping out of graded stakes company for trainer Paul McGee The son of A.P. Indy paid $7.80 to win as the second choice in the wagering.

Race 3:
As maybe the best bet of the day, IC1, C J Russell, won the 3rd race ridden by Martin Garcia for Bob Baffert. The entire Churchill crowd knew this as he paid "only" $3.80 to win. The IC1 $2 DD paid $23.40.

Race 4:
It was IC1, Snow Top Mountain, winning race 4 for long time Churchill trainer, Thomas Proctor, under a steady ride by jockey Garrett Gomez. IC1 paid $5.40 to win, the $2 DD paid $12, and the $1 pick 3 paid $35.90.

Race 5:
The winner of race 5 was IC2, Goodtimehadbyall. What a fitting name for Derby day at Churchill, as he beat IC1 with jockey Kent Desormeaux for trainer Merrill Scherer, and paid  a whopping $22.60 to win! The $2 DD paid $104.80, the $1 pick 3 paid $142, the $1 pick 4 paid $685.60, the $1 exacta, IC2 to IC1 paid $76.50, and the $1 trifecta paid $316.40. The selections were on fire early.

Race 6:
The IC power continued as IC3, Regally Ready, under jockey Corey Nakatani for trainer Steve Asmussen won the G3 Turf Sprint and paid $8.80 to win. The $2 DD paid $146.60, the $1 IC3,IC2, IC1 trifecta box paid $30.20, and the $1 pick 3 paid $279.30.

Race 7:
This was a huge upset as Sassy Image, who had never won a G1 stakes powered home defeating heavy favorite and IC1, Hilda's Passion. The second "longshot" of the day paid $34.20 to win.

Race 8:
The G2 Distaff Turf Mile was won by IC3, Aviate, for the key jockey trainer combination of Kent Desormeaux and William Mott. She paid $13.20 to win. IC1, Aruna, ran second. The $1 exacta paid $36.30.

Race 9:
The toughest race on the card, by all estimations, the G2 Churchill Downs, was won by "longshot" Aikenite for John Velasquez and Todd Pletcher. He paid $28.60 to win. This wide open race saw IC1, Here Comes Ben, run 7th at 9-2 odds.

Race 10:
The complexion of this race changed when the fastest speed horse, Little Mike, was a late scratch. With said scratch the initial IC4, Get Stormy, became IC1. Because the race was then "paceless," Get Stormy took command and won the race on the front end as IC1. He paid $17.00 to win in the 13 horse field.

Race 11:
This was a wide open Derby. Our derby selection, IC1 Midnight Interlude, did not fire for Bob Baffert, and ran 16th. However, our top longshot play, IC8 Animal Kingdom, destroyed the field in fine fashion and paid $43.80 in the 20 horse field. The $2 DD paid $393.00.

Race 12:
Another fitting name for a big longshot, as Good Lord, won this race and paid $19.40 to win. IC1, Streakin' Mohican ran 3rd for California trainer Doug O'Neill.

Race 13:
Kentucky Derby day had a happy ending, as IC3, Gentle Tap, ridden by Mike Smith, and trained by Steve Asmussen won the race, IC2 ran 2nd, and IC1 ran third, giving us our second trifecta box of the day. IC3 paid $10.00 to win, the $1 exacta paid $17.20, and the $1 trifecta paid a very nice $66.70

Overall, it was a nice showing for the IC's on this day. IC1 won 4 of the 13 races for a winning percentage of 31%. IC2 won only 1 of 13 races for a meager 8% winning percentage. IC3 fared well, winning 3 of the 13 races for a respectable 23%. Lastly, the overall IC winning percentage was 62%, which is not too bad since there were 129 horses running this day and we chose only 39 of those. On to the Preakness!