So what about that Super Saver and Mr. Borel, huh? I attended a Derby Party for yesterday's big race, and as those two crossed the finish line, I threw up my hands and yelled, "Super Saver just won the Derby!! Wooo-hooo!!" It was great!
After much celebration, I was finally able to sit down and examine the race. Below is a recap:
Super Saver (4) had a clean break from the starting gate, and Calvin made an immediate bee-line move for the rail in less than a furlong. Conveyance (12) took the early lead with Sidney's Candy (20) and Line of David (5) following as the field passed the grandstands for the first time. At the first turn, Super Saver was in an approximate fifth or sixth place. Lookin at Lucky (1) was in the back half of the pack.
On the second turn, Conveyance and Sidney's Candy had jumped to a lead of 5-6 lengths in front of the field. They maintained this lead into the third turn. At this point, Super Saver, still on the rail, advanced to the fourth place position, following Noble's Promise (3). Heading into the final turn, Noble's Promise made his move and took the lead, as Sidney's Candy began dropping back quickly. Meanwhile, Super Saver moved out to his right, and positioned himself between Conveyance (on his left and in second place) and Noble's Promise (a length ahead on the right). In the fourth turn, Super Saver passed Conveyance and was on the rail again. He took the lead, passing Noble's Promise, by the mile and an eighth mark.
Super Saver continued his lead and crossed the finish line about a length and a half before the place horse, Ice Box (2). Ice Box made crazy fast ground in the last stretch, and passed Paddy O'Prado (10) with less than a furlong to go. If the race would have been even a furlong longer, Ice Box would have won it. Lookin at Lucky finished sixth, and Sidney's Candy dropped back to 17th. The race was finished in two minutes and 4.45 seconds.
Calvin Borel stayed true to his reputation and stayed on the rail for the entire race, except when he first broke from the gate, and later when he passed Conveyance. In this sense, the winner was almost predictable--Mr. Borel did exactly what he always does--ride that rail.
When interviewed in the winner's circle, Mr. Borel said that he was going to do it this year--he was going to get that Triple Crown. I don't doubt him for a minute! Now, on to the Preakness in two weeks!!
Photo courtesy of the Associated Press, 2010.
