Mine that Bird--a 50-1 shot--and jockey Calvin Borel bested a competitive field to win the 135th Kentucky Derby [4], taking the $1,417,200 purse. The horse is owned by Lamantia, Blackburn & Needham/Betz Thorouighbreds.
Last year Big Brown [5] won the Run for the Roses, although the race is perhaps best remembered for the injury to Eight Belles [6] shortly after she finished second that led to her being euthanized on the track at Churchill Downs [7].
Heading into the race, the favorite was Friesan Fire at 7-2 odds. He became the top pick after I Want Revenge was scratched after a morning examination detected soreness in his left front ankle.
The track conditions were sloppy at Churchill Downs.
(Photo: Zach Everson [8])