Orb races to Kentucky conquest

LOUISVILLE (Reuters) – Orb, ridden by Joel Rosario and prepared by homebred trainer Shug McGaughey, won the 139th Kentucky Derby at a wet and muddy Churchill Downs on Saturday.

After settling near the rear of the field in the sloppy conditions, Orb steadily worked his way into contention, then pinned back his ears and sprinted to the front at the iconic Twin Spires and kicked clear to win the $2 million, 11⁄ mile classic.

Golden Soul, a long shot who enjoyed a trouble free journey along the rails, finished gamely to grab second while Revolutionary was third in the 19-horse field.

“It’s awesome, to win the Derby, it’s like a dream,” said Rosario, who had never won the Derby before but won this year’s $10 million Dubai World Cup, the world’s richest race, on Animal Kingdom.

Orb, who was bred and trained in Kentucky, emerged as the horse to beat in the annual Run for the Roses after winning his four previous races, including the $1 million Florida Derby, one of the key lead-up events.

He was initially installed as the 7-2 favorite despite drawing gate 16 at Wednesday’s postposition draw but began to drift in the betting as the race approached.

“Obviously it’s a huge, huge thrill for me,” said McGaughey, a 62-year-old trainer who was born and raised in Kentucky.

“I don’t know what it will be like tomorrow morning when I pinch myself and figure all this out,” he said.

Rosario patiently held his mount back in the early stages of the race, which was held on a track drenched by hours of heavy rain. JOCKEY JOEL ROSARIO celebrates after crossing the finish line on the back of Orb to claim victory in the 139th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville on Saturday.

He resisted the temptation to look for a shortcut on the fence, opting instead to keep Orb on the outside, where he continued to make ground.

It was a tactic that paid off when the early leaders, who had set off at a cracking pace, started to fade, Orb was perfectly positioned to make his charge.

Orb swept past a dozen rivals on the back straight and was within sight of the leaders round the final turn. As the crowd of 151,616 let out a deafening roar, he made his move, charging down the center of the track and holding off all his challengers.