The Day After KY Derby 152. So what happened?

I am guessing that most of us didn't have the winner in the race. Congratulations to those who did and to trainer DeVaux, J Ortiz and the owners.

If the strategy of the connections was to sit a bit chilly and wait for the knife fight to break out among the odds-on leaders in mid-race, then skirt to the clear outside path by taking advantage of Golden Tempo's exceptional closing skills, it worked. Reminiscent of Smith on Giacomo, Boral on Mine That Bird and Leon on Rich Strike who sat back and waited for the clear paths they chose.

What I feared most seemed to happen. Odds-on leaders Commandment, Chief W, Further Ado and others beating the BeJeezuz out of each other, then breaking stride before they were able to set down for their final closing pushes with most of them pretty much spent by then.

It reminded me of a NASCAR race where there is a big pile-up near the front and a driver behind them passes to the right avoiding collision while heading to the finish line.

And what about Renegade? He got mugged out of the gate, then was slapped around when he got to the group just behind the leaders, and, for good measure, was faded left after Golden Tempo confronted him in the final furlong. 

I am in no measure disparaging the winner's great effort, but the beating taken by Renegade might have cost him the victory.

Oh well. We have 364 days to think about the next one. Hope to see you all next year.

Comments from trainers and jockeys after the race:

Todd Pletcher (Renegade) – “He got a little roughed and got pushed out of his position. But he kept on going and made his run. He just didn’t get there today.”

Bill Mott (Chief Wallabee) – “He got jostled and he got squeezed. But he kept on coming and I’m very proud of his run.”

Jose Ortiz (Golden Tempo, winner) – “We always knew this horse had a lot of ability. You could see early in his career we tried things because he’s a lazy horse. I knew always Golden Tempo would be my Derby mount. This is an incredible experience. I just won the Kentucky Derby.”

Irad Ortiz Jr. (Renegade, second) – “We got squeezed at the start. We came flying late, but the winner just got the jump on me. He ran very well.”

Junior Alvarado (Chief Wallabee, fourth) – “I had a good trip, I thought I was in the position I wanted to be. I was following Further Ado, and at the eighth pole, things got a little tight and we lost a little momentum. But he ran a pretty good race, nothing to be ashamed of. He gave me what he had today.”

Luis Saez (Commandment, seventh) – “It was a rough trip, everybody was all over the place. He ran pretty well and made a nice move, but it was just a tough race.”

Mike Smith (So Happy, ninth) – “He just did too much early on and we went too fast.”