Horse Racing – Review 2007 Kentucky Derby

The Kentucky Derby is one of the most prestigious horse races in the world.  It classifies as a Grade 1 stakes race for horse that are three years old.  The Kentucky Derby is always held in Louisville, Kentucky and draws huge numbers every year.  The race is held on the first Saturday in May and is 1 1/4 miles long.  Churchill Downs is the site for the race and people tune in from all over the world to see "The Run for the Roses".  Every year horses and trainers vigorously prepare to enter and win this anticipated race.  Many times, there are big upsets and relatively unknown horses will walk away with the purse.

The 2007 Kentucky Derby, held on Saturday, May 5, and sponsored by Yum! Brands, proved to be another exciting race to be put down in Derby history.  It featured 20 different three year old colts who all were nervously waiting for the snap to sound and for their chance to break out of the gate.  The $2 million dollar purse made trainers, owners, and bettors a bit nervous as well. 

Earlier in the week it had been rainy and muddy but the sun came out on this Saturday morning as if anticipating the race as well.  The dirt was hardened and  the race was moved back to "fast" status.  As the 133rd running of the Derby, it proved to be a fine day for a race.  The two top horses going into the race were the 9-2 favorite Street Sense and the 5-1 second place horse Curlin.  Both were attempting to upset history and take home the victory.  Close behind them in the favorites were Scat Daddy (7-1) and Hard Spun (10-1).

As the race began, Hard Spun came out on top just past the grandstand by about three lengths.  At about the half mile mark and onto the backstretch, the horses bunched up to try and take a stab at the lead.  Teuflesberg, Sedgefield, and Cowtown Cat were all apart of this jumble of horses that were looking to take over the front runner.  Just behind them was Street Sense who, under the direction of his jockey Calvin Borel, watched the horses jumble up and then cut over by the rail to save some ground.  At this point, Hard Spun was still about three lengths ahead of the pack but Street Sense found an opening and surged forward to gain the lead.  The final furlong allowed Street Sense to gain some speed and he ended up winning by about 2 1/4 lengths.  He clocked a time of 2:02.17 and came out the victor.  Hard Spun came in second place, Curlin came in third, and Imawildandcrazyguy finished up the top four.