AP Photo/ Amy Sancetta
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Undefeated Barbaro surged into the lead at the top of the stretch and won in a big way by 6 1-2 lengths. The length of the victory was the greatest since Assault won by eight lengths in 1946. For trainer Michael Matz this was his first Derby victory and for jockey Edgar Prado it was his first winning ride. Quite a day for the two of them.
To add some more to the story, Michael Matz, for those who may remember, was the hero surrounding a plane crash 17 years ago as United flight 232 flying from Denver to Chicago went down in an Iowa Cornfield and he helped three children to safety in the aftermath.
The three of them joined Matz in the grandstand and cheered on his horse to victory.
Barbaro has a certain system to winning as in this race Sinister Minister and Keyed Entry set the pace and like his other race victories fell in behind them until the final turn and then made his move to take the lead.
Coming in second was Bluegrass Cat with Steppenwolfer next in third. Brother Derek and Jazil came in tied at fourth.
Barbaro is the sixth horse to come in undefeated and win.
The second largest crowd in Derby history -157,536 watched on as Barbaro covered the 1 1/4 mile track in 2:01.36, still quite a bit off from Secretariat's standing record of 1:59 2/5 in 1973.
Things didn't look good right at the beginning of the race as Barbaro stumbled quickly but then got himself straightened up. when he reached the first turn he had already recovered and was with the leaders and ready to make his big move.
Of course with the margin of victory coupled with a strong field, there is already talk of a possible Triple Crown as 4 out of the last five years it has come down to the Belmont to make the final decision.
This should be a great race season to watch. How did you like it?
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