The brunette beast, Big Brown, charged from the outside loaded with an impressive 134 post, thundering past champions to win the 134th Kentucky Derby by almost five lengths. Breaking from the 20-gate, a tough outside position, that has not hosted a win in nearly two decades the favorite dazzled Derby fans burning past the competition for an uncontested win.
Big Brown’s nearest competition, Eight Belles, a tall, raven haired filly chased him down the last furlongs. About seven lengths from the finish the smoky horse slowed in stride, but continued to drive to the wire securing a second place victory before collapsing onto the soft, track soil. jockey, Gabriel Saez, walked away unharmed.
Her downfall spooked Big Brown and jilted Kent Desormeaux from the saddle. Like a cat Desormeaux landed on his feet and quickly recovered his mount. Eight Belles, however, never recovered her footing.
The soul female on the track, she remained motionless until the equine paramedics arrived. Eight Belles is one of eight fillies to make a top three finish in the Kentucky Derby, and one of two for a second place finish. Within moments of her collapse, it was determined the filly had fractured both her front ankles and she was immediately euthanized on sandy track.
A faint blemish that lightly showed on the victors’ faces as jockey, trainer and owner marched to the winner’s circle. Desormeaux dedicated his valiant ride to his family; namely, his son Jason, who suffers from a rare illness that threatens both his hearing and vision.
It may have been something in the opening song, “My Old Kentucky Home,” that marshaled this spirited runner home. After all, Big Brown was bred in Kentucky, the bountiful offspring of Boundary out of the Nureyev and mare Mien. Big Brown remains undefeated after four lifetime starts, and his winnings now out purse the closest competitor by more than $1,000,000.
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