2011 Kentucky Derby Results and Analysis

by Bodog Racebook | May 9 2011

A record crowd of 164,858 at Churchill Downs watched 20-1 shot Animal Kingdom win the $2M Gr. 1 Kentucky Derby on Saturday, May 7.

A field of 19 was sent off and was led at the break as expected by the frontrunning Shackleford. Shackleford, who was ridden by Jesus Castanon, set a tepid pace. At the ¼ mile mark, the duo of Comma to the Top and Patrick Valenzuela were second by a length and was followed by Soldat, ridden by Alan Garcia. John Velazquez, aboard Animal Kingdom, sat reserved in 12th. At the ¾ mile mark, Shackleford still led; he was chased by Comma to the Top and Decisive Moment, who had moved up from fifth. Pants on Fire vied for position in fourth. But Nehro, piloted by Corey Nakatani, was making his move, as was Animal Kingdom.

As the field entered the stretch, Nehro battled with Shackleford for the lead. But neither could match Animal Kingdom, whose four-wide move between horses in the final furlong gave him a clear path to the wire. The 3-year-old son of Leroidesanimaux captured the 1 ¼ mile race in 2:02.04. Nehro hung on for the runner-up spot, 2 ¾ lengths behind the winner. And Mucho Macho Man, who had spent most of the race in striking position but in traffic, managed to find a late seam five-wide into the stretch that set him up to take third place; he was ridden by Rajiv Maragh.

Shackleford rounded out the top four, and was followed by Master of Hounds, Santiva, Brilliant Speed, race favorite Dialed In, Pants on Fire, Twice the Appeal, Soldat, Stay Thirsty, Derby Kitten, Decisive Moment, Archarcharch, Midnight Interlude, Twinspired, Watch Me Go and Comma to the Top.

It was the first Kentucky Derby victory for Animal Kingdom's trainer Graham Motion and owners Team Valor International. It was also the first Kentucky Derby win for jockey John Velazquez, whose original mount Uncle Mo had been scratched out of the Derby after the post-position draw; Velazquez replaced Robby Albarado, who had been injured two days earlier.

Animal Kingdom is the first horse to win the Kentucky Derby with no prior racing experience on dirt; his previous four races had been run on synthetics or turf. He earned his berth to the Run for the Roses off a win in the Gr. 3 Vinery Racing Spiral Stakes at Turfway Park on March 26, only his second start of the year. With this win, Animal Kingdom's lifetime earnings skyrocket to $1,738,700 and his race record improves to 5-3-2-0.

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