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| [ PHOTO: THE LOUISVILLE COURIER-JOURNAL ] |
May 7, 2018
Peter Solari, Editor in Chief
Despite a wet track on a rainy day in Louisville, Justify triumphed in the 144th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on Saturday, making him the first horse since Apollo in 1882 to win the 'run for the roses' without a start as a two-year-old.
Justify, who was the odds-on-favorite to win the Derby, was neck and neck with a longshot, Promises Fulfilled, out of the gate, before pulling away for a comfortable win, and breaking the “Curse of Apollo”.
Great Magic was second in the first leg of this year's Triple Crown, with Audible finishing third.
It was the wettest day in the nearly-150 year history of the Kentucky Derby, as three inches of rain slammed the famous dirt track, but the inclement weather didn't appear to dampen the spirits of fans. Over 157,000 were in attendance despite the soggy conditions.
Saturday marked the fifth Kentucky Derby victory for legendary trainer Bob Baffert, whose horses also won in 1997 (Silver Charm), 1998 (Real Quiet), 2002 (War Emblem), and 2015, when American Pharoah won the first Triple Crown since Affirmed in 1978.
It was also a return to the Churchill Downs winner's circle for jockey Mike Smith, who previously won the Derby in 2005 aboard Giacomo.
Next up for Justify, Smith, and Baffert will be the 143rd running of the Preakness Stakes on May 19, at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. The American Triple Crown series will conclude on June 9 with the 150th running of the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York.
Here are the full results from the 2018 Kentucky Derby:
- Justify
- Good Magic
- Audible
- Installed Regard
- My Boy Jack
- Bravazo
- Hofburg
- Lone Sailor
- Vino Rosso
- Solomini
- Firenze Fire
- Bolt d'Oro
- Flameaway
- Enticed
- Promises Fulfilled
- Free Drop Billy
- Noble Indy
- Combatant
- Magnum Moon
- Mendelssohn
