Orb flies through sloppy track to win 139th Kentucky Derby
Orb started the 139th running of the Kentucky Derby as the 5-1 favorite, and he ended in the same manner, topping the 20-horse field with a winning time of 2:02.89 over the sloppy 1 1/4-mile Churchill Downs track on Saturday.
The track took in about a half-inch of rain earlier in the day, but the precipitation stopped by post time. Heavy duty rollers were utilized to try and tamp the muddy surface down.
Orb, who was prepared by Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey, held off challenges from runner-up Golden Soul and third-place finisher Revolutionary, who was also considered a co-favorite with Orb coming into the race. It was McGaughey's first Derby win.
Orb was ridden to victory by Joel Rosario, who won the prestigious Dubai World Cup nearly two months ago aboard Animal Kingom.
The nearly $2.2 million purse included almost $1.44 million to Orb, who paid bettors $12.80 for the win.
Owner/trainer Todd Pletcher, who had a record-tying five horses entered in the field, including Revolutionary, Charming Kitten (ninth), Overanalyze (11th), Palace Malice (12th and Verrazano (14th).
NOTES: Rick Pitino may have led Louisville's men's basketball team to the NCAA championship, but he wasn't as lucky with Goldencents, which Pitino is part-owner of. Instead of celebrating, Pitino watched his horse finish far off the pace in 17th. In addition, Kevin Krigger, who rode Goldencents, fell short of his attempt to become the first black jockey to win the first leg of the fabled Triple Crown since 1902. ... Rosie Napravnik, aboard fifth-ranked Mylute, set a Derby record for the highest finish by a female rider.
