Street Sense secures Kentucky glory

Street Sense is a 6-4 chance with Coral to land the American Triple Crown after storming to a sensational success in the 133rd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.

The Carl Nafzger-trained colt made history as he became the first Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner to follow up in the 'Run for the Roses', powering home under Calvin Borel in front of a crowd in excess of 150,000.

Long-time leader Hard Spun was second, with the previously unbeaten Curlin third.

It was a magnificent performance by Borel as he kept cool in the face of adversity, with his mount having just one horse behind him at one stage.

The Louisiana-born rider steered the son of Street Cry through the 20-runner field to loom large on the shoulder of Hard Spun entering the stretch and there was never a doubt about the result from thereafter as he streaked clear to triumph by two-and-a-quarter lengths.

Hard Spun dug deep to hold on for minor honours, while the inexperienced Curlin ran a big race after also being in a far from ideal position in the early stages.

Nafzger was winning the race for the second time following Unbridled in 1990 and he told NBC: ‘He's a top horse. He's taken us everywhere we've been and he's taken us here today.’

Referring to his early-race position, he added: ‘I think we got a lead!

‘Any time you win a Derby, you take it, you're having a ball.’

Borel had performed a similar rail-hugging manoeuvre when Street Sense won the Juvenile at this track in November.

He was overcome with emotion afterwards and said: ‘I knew I had the ability, it's just that I needed to find the horse to get me there.

‘Once I got over (to the rail) it was pretty smooth. I knew I had him where I wanted. My horse has a tremendous turn of foot and he does whatever you want him to.

‘I backed him up a little bit because they were going pretty good. I let them go on. I had an awesome trip.

‘It was the chance of a lifetime and I'm happy to be here.’

The next leg of the Triple Crown, which was last won by the Steve Cauthen-ridden Affirmed in 1978, is the Preakness at Pimlico on May 19.

Barking-based Coral also make Street Sense the 3-1 favourite to land the Breeders' Cup Classic.