Street Sense storms to Kentucky Derby triumph

By Steve Ginsburg

LOUISVILLE (Reuters) - Street Sense used a superb stretch run to win the Kentucky Derby on Saturday and become the first Breeders' Cup juvenile champion to capture America's most celebrated race.

Ridden by Calvin Borel, the dark bay Kentucky-bred came from the back of the pack to wear down front-running Hard Spun at the three-eighths pole and win by 2 1/2 lengths.

Trained by Carl Nafzger, Street Sense becomes the first two-year-old champion to win the Derby since Spectacular Bid in 1979. Hard Spun hung on to second with previously unbeaten Curlin third.

Street Sense's winning time of 2:02.17 for a mile-and-a-quarter over a fast track was well off Secretariat's Derby record of 1:59.40 set in 1973.

The steady rain that had fallen on historic Churchill Downs over the past two days abated overnight and allowed track officials to label the surface "fast" by mid-afternoon.

Street Sense's handlers will collect $1.45 million of the $2.2 million purse for the victory over 19 other three-year-olds.

The race favourite at 9-2 odds, Street Sense paid $11.80 for a $2 win ticket.

Three-times Eclipse Award-winning trainer Todd Pletcher saddled a record-tying five horses but failed to win his first Derby. He is now winless in 19 attempts.

The next race in the Triple Crown series will be the Preakness Stakes at Baltimore's Pimlico Race Course on May 19.