The 137th Kentucky Derby!

LOUISVILLE, KY. — John Velazquez won the Kentucky Derby by a broken nose.

An injury to Animal Kingdom's regular rider, Robby Albarado, who was trampled by a horse 3 days prior to the derby, cleared the way for Velazquez to pick up the mount on the 20-1 long shot. He took the reins Saturday and rode his good luck all the way to the winner's circle.

"For once, I'm on the good end of it," Velazquez said. "All of a sudden I pick up this one and he wins the Derby, so it was meant to be."

The last three years, the New York-based jockey came to Churchill Downs with a colt considered a leading contender, only to have it withdrawn. This time, he was supposed to ride early second choice Uncle Mo before the colt was scratched due to a lingering stomach problem. The rest, as they say, is history.

Animal Kingdom, not taken by many as a serious contender, had only run four races in his career and none were on a dirt track. He hadn't even been out for the six weeks prior. Nonetheless, he reacted to his new rider and environment the way a champion should, charging down the middle of the stretch to win by 2 3/4 lengths in front of a crowd of 164,858, the largest ever in Derby history.

He ran 1 1/4 miles in 2:02.04 — well off Secretariat's track record of 1:59.40 in 1973 — and paid $43.80, $19.60 and $13. I say kudo's to his trainer, Graham Motion and I can't wait to see Animal Kingdom compete again in the upcoming 136th Preakness!

Note: The Woodlawn Vase has been the prize for The Preakness Stakes since 1917 and is the most valuable trophy in sports. It's estimated worth is 4 million dollars and it's origins date back to the mid nineteenth century in Kentucky, where it was actually buried during the Civil War to prevent anyone from melting it down to shot. It resides in the Baltimore Art Museum and is closely guarded by a member of The Maryland National Guard. (Winners get a smaller replica)