The Kentucky Derby
Named “the most exciting two minutes in sports,” the 139 Kentucky Derby didn’t disappoint fans when Orb won the derby. Orb and Revolutionary were cofavorites at 6-1.
“This is like more than a dream,” said jockey Joel Rosario told NBC’s reporter after he won the race.
At the start of the race, viewers could tell the pace was fast with Orb in the back before making his move late in the race. It was a very muddy race track and the horse’s hooves were sinking into the mud. Orb ran 6,721 feet on the track, longer than all but two other horses that day. In the Kentucky Derby Orb had a different jockey than in his Florida Derby win. Orb is a talented horse because of his ability to let any rider place him where they need to be at the start of the race.
Orb’s and Rosario’s victory gave 62-year-old trainer Shug McGaughey his first ever victory. McGaughey told NBC, “It means everything to me. I’ve always dreamed of this day and it finally came.”
The next race is the 138 The Preakness Stakes on May 18. If Orb wins The Preakness and the Belmont he can become the first Triple Crown winner since Affirmed in 1978.
