We are sure it is extremely unlikely that you haven’t heard or didn’t watch the race live but to cover all bases and have an historical accounting of today’s 142nd running of the Kentucky Derby we offer you the summary below:
The undefeated, Breeders’ Cup and Eclipse Award-winning 3-year-old colt Nyquist keeps his record unblemished in the 142nd running of the Kentucky Derby, holding off a late challenge by Exaggerator to win by 1 1/4 lengths. Trainer Doug O’Neill and jockey Mario Gutierrez teamed up with Reddam to win the 2012 version with I’ll Have Another, and today captured the 10 furlongs over a fast main track under the Twin Spires in 2:01.31 with the son of Uncle Mo.
Nyquist broke well from the 13-post along with Gun Runner and Danzing Candy. Those three strode toward the wire for the first time in unison, with Danzing Candy making the lead just before the clubhouse turn. As he’d done in the Santa Anita Derby, Danzing Candy laid out a rapid first quarter of :22.58, rounding the first bend in front of the field. Nyquist settled just behind that leader a few paths off the rail, while Gun Runner took up the inside post just behind those two. They were immediately followed by Outwork, Tom’s Ready, and Exaggerator, the latter racing a bit closer to the pace today in 15th than he had in the Santa Anita Derby.
Danzing Candy reached the half-mile mark in :45.72 while three lengths in front of Nyquist, who appeared to be moving comfortably under Gutierrez. Gun Runner was a bit impatient in between horses, tugging on Florent Geroux, as a bulk of the field was pressed up just behind him. Uncharacteristically, Mohaymen was traveling well off the early pace in 12th. Through three-quarters in 1:10.40, Danzing Candy’s lead had begun to recede as Gun Runner extended his stride along the rail. Nyquist was content to track that runner to the head of the lane. From the back of the pack, Mohaymen and Suddenbreakingnews were showing signs of life, and Exaggerator was fighting his way through the pack, but had to be checked off heels at the three-eighths pole.
At the top of the stretch, with 167,227 fans (the second-largest crowd ever) cheering them on, it was down to Gun Runner and Nyquist. Gun Runner had the slight advantage, but as soon as Gutierrez cocked his stick against Nyquist’s neck, the colt was gone. With a three-length lead at the eighth pole, Nyquist appeared to have it all won. But suddenly Exaggerator and Kent Desormeaux were making enormous strides down the center of the track, and closing ground fast on the leader. A quick look under his arm told Gutierrez he needed just a bit more from his champion colt, and Nyquist responded to the jockey’s urgings, laying it all on the line. The wire passed ahead and it was Nyquist in front by a length and a quarter, with Keith Desormeaux’s Exaggerator relegated to second after an enormous move down the lane.
Gun Runner, 4 1/2 lengths behind Exaggerator, managed to hold third in a photo over Mohaymen and Suddenbreakingnews, who were fourth and fifth, respectively. The rest of the order of finish was as follows: Destin, Brody’s Cause, Mo Tom, Lani, Mor Spirit, My Man Sam, Tom’s Ready, Creator, Outwork, Danzing Candy, Trojan Nation, Oscar Nominated, Majesto, Whitmore, and Shagaf.
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