Always Dreaming wins Kentucky Derby

LOUISVILLE – In big money race after big money race, the combination of trainer Todd Pletcher and jockey Velasquez has been powerful across the country for nearly two decades. Now, their partnership has claimed the ultimate prize.

Always Dreaming, who didn't break his maiden until January but showed his talent in Florida this spring with a series of stunning performances, delivered a powerful victory in the 143rd Kentucky Derby on Saturday, splashing through the Churchill Downs stretch 23/4 lengths in front of 33-to-1 longshot Lookin At Lee.

Though it was the second Derby victory for both Pletcher and Velasquez, winning it as a team was ling time coming. "It's very special." said 46-year old Velasquez, who won the 2011 Kentucky Derby on Animal Kingdom. “With all the success we’ve had in the past, winning important races, missing this one is definitely a big one.”

Though Pletcher has won seven Eclipse Awards as the nation’s top trainer and his barn annually leads the nation in earnings, his record in this race had become something of a burden. Before Saturday, Pletcher had sent 45 horses to the gate over 16 years, most of them regally bred and even more insanely hyped. Given all the high-priced horse flesh in his barn, it was viewed as a bit of a disappointment that his only Kentucky Derby victory came with Super Saver in 2010.

Always Dreaming, who went off at 4.70-to-1, became the fifth straight betting favorite to win the Kentucky Derby.