Animal Kingdom Wins Kentucky Derby

Nehro is second and Mucho Macho Man third
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted May 7, 2011 5:42 PM CDT
Animal Kingdom Wins Kentucky Derby
Exercise rider James Slater takes Kentucky Derby entrant Animal Kingdom for a workout at Churchill Downs Friday.   (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Animal Kingdom sped past the leaders in the turn at Churchill Downs today and roared down the middle of the stretch to win the Kentucky Derby. Jockey John Velazquez guided the 3-year-old colt, who finished ahead of Nehro and Mucho Macho Man. Favorite Dialed In was never a factor.

The victory is the first Derby win for trainer Graham Motion and provided redemption for Velazquez, who was set to ride Uncle Mo before the horse was scratched because of a lingering stomach problem. Velazquez replaced Robby Albarado on the winner after Albarado broke his nose earlier in the week. Animal Kingdom went off as a 20-1 longshot in the lightly regarded field. (More Kentucky Derby stories.)

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