The 137th Kentucky Derby went the way of 20-1 outsider Animal Kingdom and jockey John Velazquez last night as Aidan O’Brien’s Master Of Hounds came home in a credible fifth place.
Velazquez won the prestigious race a Churchill Downs for the first time having picked up the spare ride due to Robby Albarado’s injury and ante-post favourite Uncle Mo’s late scratching.
The win was all the more impressive for Animal Kingdom given that this was his first-ever run on a dirt surface.
The Graham Motion-trained horse breezed past Nehro, who finished second, in the final stages to cause the upset and Velazquez was momentarily lost for words after the job was done.
“Words can’t describe how I feel right now,” Velazquez said.
“Of course I feel bad for Robby but this win is for the both of us – I know he is with me today.
“I’ve been unlucky with injuries and missed big winners before in the past but today I’ve got lucky. I’ve lost the last three favourites for this through scratchings.”
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