They call it the greatest two minutes in sports, and this
year’s Kentucky Derby almost didn’t live up to it, not because the race wasn’t
brilliant, but because the running time was 2:01.
Bodemeister is undoubtedly one of the greatest horses I have
seen run. Now, I admit that I haven’t been around the racing world for long; it
has only been eleven years since I fell in love with the sport, but I know
brilliance when I see it. Not only did Bodemeister set a blistering pace, but
he held it from gate to finish. Even in defeat, he proved that we will see some
great things from him in the future. I have no doubt that since he came out of
the Derby well, then it is Bodemeister we will see at the wire in the
Preakness.
 |
| Photo: Coady Photography/Oaklawn Park Bodemeister Arkansas Derby |
Now, I
should take nothing away from the winner. He ran a clean race, broke well,
settled nicely, and then powered past the exhausted Bodemeister to win the Race
for the Roses. I’ll Have Another showed
his grit and deserves his victory, but the three year olds this year are just
too good for us to get a Triple Crown winner. Interestingly enough, despite the
fact that it was I’ll Have Another at the wire, Bodemeister has received more
focus. Probably because the fractions he set were some of the fastest in Derby
history. Spurred on by Trinniberg, Bodemeister ran brilliantly. He is amazing
and even in defeat, he is a champion. I am sure that we will see more from him in
the future.
Now for some other ponies:
Dullahan’s show was another
impressive run, in fact, if the race had been longer, he might have been second
instead of Bodemeister, but Dullahan will be skipping the Preakness to run in
the Belmont.
Hansen’s run was honestly
disappointing. He was within striking distance, but didn’t have enough in him
to take the lead and faded. Hansen will be skipping the Preakness and will also
not run in the Belmont, opting instead for a shorter race, which is probably
better for him.
Bumped at the start and squeezed
back, Union Rags had a troubled run, but rallied to place ahead of Hanson. One
of the favorites in the Derby, Union Rags is a good horse, but I didn’t think
he could win the Derby, but it was a wide open field, too many good horses. Union
Rags will also be skipping the Preakness.
In other news:
Take Charge Indy was injured in the Kentucky Derby and will be having surgery to remove a bone chip in his right front ankle.
More Reading:
