About a 100 yards from the finish, Kent Desormeaux was about to go to the whip one more time, and just as he's about to raise it, you can see him look over to the jumbotron in the infield, see how big of a lead he has, and tuck the whip away. Really cool stuff.
I was in the front row grandstand, and Texas Red honestly looked like a blur running by. I was watching Upstart, and Carpe Diem. Didn't think this colt had a chance from the back, and before you can blink the race was over, and Texas Red was the champ.
I was so impressed with Texas Red after this race, that I had him pegged as one of the Derby favorites this year. But, unfortunately, Red had an injury issue. I believe it was a hoof abscess. He was never able to run in any of the Triple Crown races. American Pharoah was supposed to run in the Breeder's Cup Juvenile,, but he had an injury. I believe that had Texas Red stayed healthy, he and Pharoah would have set up an Affirmed/Alydar-type rivalry for the Derby, Preakness, and Belmont.
All I can say is WOW...what a race ! Congrats to all, especially the families and owners, Erich Brehm et al, who have lived the life, and now realized their dream.
I gotta say, hell of a good run by The Great War to finish 4th in the BC Juvenile to be his 1st lifetime start on conventional dirt and his 1st career start going further than 6-1/2f. That's a big step up in trip to go from 6-1/2 to 8-1/2f and switching the surfaces you've been used to racing over besides.
This race is right up there with Mine That Bird's '09 Kentucky Derby, and Zenyatta's '09 Breeders Cup Classic, as one of the greatest finishes of all time. It was even better because I bet him at 13-1 odds. If you like country music, how can you not bet a horse named Texas Red?
Looking back at this race Carpe diem ran a nice closing second he ran d own upstart who was al SD o 5 y lengths ahead of him with a crazy pace likely in the derby this is something to remember good luck all
If he's even HALF as good as his daddy... *chills*. I always say Afleet Alex is one of those that was DESERVING of that Triple Crown, if only he'd gotten a better trip and ride in the Derby. He was one of those freaks of nature, he was.
Wow...Upstart was sandwiched between Texas Red and another horse at the top of the stretch. I sure hope his jockey has learned how to avoid traffic issues a bit better for the Kentucky Derby. You want to either find a crease or make the move wide like Texas Red or Carpe Diem did. That way your horse is not a pinball before you ask for his run. Then again, look at who was on Texas Red and Carpe Diem. BTW, just because Texas Red inhaled this field does not mean he could do that at 10 furlongs. Which is why I wish we could find out May 2. Many times these from the cloud strong mile to 8.5 furlong closers simply cannot sustain the move at 10f. See Pyro, Circular Quay, and so forth...
