Kentucky Derby 2006 Winner: Barbaro

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (May 6, 2006) - Lael Stable’s Barbaro swept to the lead at the top of stretch and drew away for one of the more impressive wins in Kentucky Derby history as he powered to a 6 ½-length victory over WinStar Farm’s Bluegrass Cat in the 132nd “Run for the Roses” at Churchill Downs.

Barbaro scored his victory in the $2 million Kentucky Derby presented by Yum! Brands before a crowd of 157,536, the second largest attendance figure in the history of the race. Jockey Edgar Prado, who won his first Kentucky Derby victory in seven tries, said that he had smooth sailing after Barbaro made a slight misstep at the start.

“He stumbled a little bit coming out of the gate but he recovered right away,” said Prado. “You see what he did when I turned him loose, he took off like a rocket. I never had a doubt in this horse. Mr. Matz did a super job. Hopefully we can get the Triple Crown.”

The 3-year-old son of Dynaformer became only the sixth unbeaten horse in 132 years to win the Kentucky Derby as he covered the 1 ¼-miles over a “fast” track in 2:01.36 and paid $14.20, $8.00 and $6.00. The winning margin was the fifth largest in Derby history and the largest since Hoop Jr. scored a 6-length win in 1945.

The most recent unbeaten horse to win the Kentucky Derby was Smarty Jones in 2004. Others include Seattle Slew, the only unbeaten winner of the Triple Crown, in 1978; Majestic Prince in 1969; Morvich in 1922; and the great filly Regret in 1915.

Barbaro gave Lael Stables’ Roy and Gretchen Jackson, who also bred the horse, and trainer Michael Matz their first Kentucky Derby victories. The Jacksons also owned previously unbeaten Showing Up, who finished sixth in the race.

Barbaro earned a first place prize $1,453,200 to vault his career earnings $2,302,200. It was the fifth consecutive stakes victory for Barbaro, who had won the Grade I Florida Derby in his previous start.

Matz, a silver medalist in Equestrian show jumping in the Atlanta Olympic Games in 1996, became the fourth consecutive trainer to win the Kentucky Derby in his first attempt. Barclay Tagg (Funny Cide, 2003), John Servis (Smarty Jones, ’04) and John Shirreffs (Giacomo, ’05) were Derby rookies when they won the roses.

“It’s a dream come true,” said Matz. “Good horses make good riders and good horses make good trainers.”

Bluegrass Cat, ridden by Ramon Dominguez, rallied from sixth on the backside and was clear by two lengths of the closing Steppenwolfer to take the place spot. Bluegrass Cat was sent off at odds of 30-1 and returned $28.40 and $15.40. Todd Pletcher, the trainer of Bluegrass Cat, completed Derby Week with eight wins in 16 starts, including three stakes victories during the week.

Robert and Lawana Low’s Steppenwolfer, ridden by Robby Albarado, rallied from 18th to take the show and paid $7.80. Sweetnorthernsaint, the lukewarm 5-1 favorite ridden by Kent Desormeaux, had a troubled trip and settled for seventh in the 20-horse capacity field.

Brother Derek, the 3-1 morning line favorite in Kentucky Derby 132, finished in a dead-heat for fourth with Jazil.

After Brother Derek and Jazil, the Kentucky Derby order of finish was completed by Showing Up, Sweetnorthernsaint, Deputy Glitters, Point Determined, Seaside Retreat, Storm Treasure, Lawyer Ron, Cause to Believe, Flashy Bull, Private Vow, Sinister Minister, Bob and John, A.P. Warrior, Sharp Humor and Keyed Entry.

Barbaro was the 99th winner of the Kentucky Derby to have been bred in Kentucky. Florida, which has produced six Derby winners, is a distant second among states that have produced winners of America’s greatest race.

The Kentucky Derby victory completed a remarkable day of international success for the Jacksons. Earlier in the day, they had watched George Washington, a colt that they had bred, win the 2,000 Guineas at Britain’s Newmarket. The race is the first of Britain’s classic races for 3-year-olds.

Post Race Interview with Edgar Prado