134th Kentucky Derby Juxtaposes Joy and Sorrow as Big Brown Takes the Roses

The most exciting two minutes of sports has just passed for another year, and the story is an exceptional one.

Big Brown defied all recent Kentucky Derby patterns with a seemingly perfect run and easy win from the outside post position. He is the first horse to win from that post since the 1920s. From post position 20, and with only 3 previous races under his belt- all wins-, Big Brown made the most important race in international thoroughbred racing look like a workout breeze. He had the wonderful fortune of a clean break and enjoyed a relatively comfortable run in 5th place for the majority of the race. The recent switch of most tracks to synthetic material instead of dirt created a unique problem (as far as the Kentucky Derby is concerned) for many of the horses. For several of them this was their very first race on a nonsynthetic dirt course. The same was true for Big Brown. Thus, those in his camp were worried as to how the colt might react to having dirt thrown in his face. That concern was eliminated by his running on the outside during this time. Kent Desormeaux, his jockey, said he took a moment to respond his urging as they rounded the far turn into the stretch, but when he did there was more than enough horse. He pulled away and won by five lengths. The fractions were fast, though not blistering, and Desormeaux commented that Big Brown never extended into his full stride. There was still enough horse in him that he threw Desormeaux during the post-race canter and wasn't even breathing hard.

Big Brown has had issues with cracking hooves in the past, but if his special glue-on rubber shoes continue to absorb the shock for him, if he can continue to avoid the dirt-in-face question, and he avoids other injury, he may be the first Triple Crown winner in 30 years. A lot of ifs? Yes, but that's what the sport is about.

Pyro was considered a possible rival for Big Brown but was shut out at the starting gate when he was sandwiched between two other colts and left to struggle his way through the field. Another possible rival, Colonel John, failed to make a strong enough run. These could prove to be upsetting factors in the Preakness Stakes, which is the next leg in Big Brown's journey toward Triple Crown fame.

But this stunning victory, somewhat reminiscent of Secretariat, was shadowed by the tragedy that befell Eight Belles. Eight Belles was the first filly to enter the Derby this century after a 9 year stretch of unrespresentation from the females. She could have been the first filly to win since Winning Colors in 1988. At 17 hands, she was tall enough- taller than some of the boys. Some were skeptical that she didn't have enough weight, however, since fillies tend to be lighter on the scale than colts. But she more than proved her ability by making an impressive second with some visible space between her and the third place holder Denis Of Cork. The pull-up afterwards was disasterous for the exceptional filly. She collapsed. Her jockey walked away unharmed but clearly upset about Eight Belles' well being. It was clear she was in true distress. She did not attempt to get up even when a minute had passed. Then two minutes. The equine ambulance and veterinarians arrived. As the race results became official so did the information regarding the filly. Eight Belles had suffered compound fractures in both front ankles and was in excruciating pain. There was nothing that could be done and she was euthanized on the track.

So the 134th Kentucky Derby was clearly a race for the history books in more than one way. Big Brown has literally flew over the first hurdle of what could become the first Triple Crown victory in 30 years, making him one of 8 Derby winners to take the Roses undefeated. Eight Belles will never be forgotten. She gave a strong Place run and will always be in the hearts of horse lovers and thoroughbred racing fans the world over.