Belles tragedy mars Brown romp

Big Brown looked a potential US Triple Crown hero when powering to victory in the Kentucky Derby though the race was marred by a fatal injury to runner-up Eight Belles.

Overcoming his outside 20 draw to such great effect, Big Brown was the undoubted star at Churchill Downs.

Cruising into the lead on the turn for home in the hands of Kent Desormeaux, Big Brown forged clear of his rivals to give the jockey his third Kentucky Derby victory and a first for trainer Rick Dutrow Jr.

There was, however, a sad post script within minutes of the race as the runner-up, the filly Eight Belles, was put down on the track after breaking both her front ankles.

She was a clear second but never really threatened the brilliant winner, who became the first horse from stall 20 to take the Derby since Clyde Van Dusen in 1929.

Big Brown was quickly away with Desormeaux content to stay on the outside in fifth place by the first turn as Bob Black Jack made the early running.

Desormeaux asked his mount for his effort a furlong before the last turn and Big Brown took the lead with little effort and went on to win by four and three-quarter lengths to justify favouritism.

Eight Belles followed him through but could not get near the winner. She came down shortly after the winning line while Denis Of Cork ran on from last place to take third spot

A delighted Desormeaux, previously successful on Real Quiet (1998) and Fusaichi Pegasus (2003) said: “He broke listening to the crowd,” said Desormeaux.

“He was attentive to the cheers.”

“He just started adding power to the stride he has, and he’s got some power.”

Dutrow said: “This is an incredible feeling what we’re going through right now.”

As for the second leg of the Triple crown, the Preakness Stakes, Dutrow added: “We’re ready to roll now and I can’t wait to get there.”

As the horses began to return after the race, Eight Belles fell to the ground and jockey Gabriel Saez jumped off the horse.

“When we passed the wire I stood up. She started galloping funny. I tried to pull her up. That’s when she went down,” Saez said.

“She didn’t have a front leg to stand on to be splinted and hauled off in the ambulance, so she was euthanized,” said Dr Larry Bramlage, the Derby’s on-call vet.

It was a sombre end to the weekend for Eight Belles trainer Larry Jones, who won Friday’s Kentucky Oaks with Proud Spell.

Jones was attempting to become the first trainer to complete the Oaks-Derby double for 56 years.

Alex Waldrop, the president of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, issued a statement on Eight Belles.

“Everyone in racing is saddened by the loss of the brilliant filly Eight Belles,” he said.

“It took a truly breathtaking performance by Big Brown to deny her victory in the world’s most prestigious race. She ran superbly and galloped out uneventfully before suffering a tragic accident.

“Our hearts go out to her connections, including owner Rick Porter, trainer Larry Jones and jockey Gabriel Saez.”