The 136th Kentucky Derby, or Run for the Roses, took place on Saturday at Churchill Downs, in Louisville, Kentucky.
Before the start of the race, many were concerned with how muddy the track was and the impact this would have on the horses and riders. Whether due to this or not, there was not any favorable horse to take the win. The top three horses were Looking at Lucky with 7-1 odds, Super Saver with 7-1 odds and Sidney’s Candy with 9-1 odds to take the win.
Right as horses and riders were mounting up, the sun finally peaked through the clouds, giving the track even more difficulty. With the track being completely drenched, the riders would now have a glare to deal with. Needless to say, it was anyone’s race at this point.
When the signal fired and the race began, out of the gate at take off, the top four horses were Conveyance, Sidney’s Candy, Line of David and Nobles Promise. At ¾ mile the top four didn’t change much, with Conveyance still in the lead, followed by Sidney’s Candy, Nobles Promise and Discretely Mine.
Super Saver, ridden by Calvin Borel, who has won the last 2 derby‘s on horses that no one favored, was making his trademark move and riding alongside the fence and steadily moving up to the front of the line. At the home stretch Super Saver by-passes all the other horses and crosses the finish line, taking first place.
This was the first Kentucky Derby win for owner Todd Fletcher. In the end the winners of the Kentucky Derby were first place, Super Saver, followed by Ice Box, Paddy O’ Brady, and rounding out the top four, Make Music For Me. Despite the blinding glare from the sun and a muddy track, the 136th Kentucky Derby made quite a show.