I've never done a Throwback Thursday post on this blog. Might as well do one for today since well I feel like it. Today's is all about the Derby and possibly one of my personal favorite Derbys at that.
Hard to believe that before 2010, trainer Todd Pletcher had never won the Kentucky Derby. He had been close with Invisible Ink and Bluegrass Cat, but had never been in the Winner's Circle. He came 5 chances, the filly Devil May Care, American Lion, Mission Impazible, Super Saver and Discreetly Mine. 3 of the 5 where coming in off wins and the one was a nose short in his final prep. One of those non wins was also his best chance Super Saver who was a cousin to his 2006 runner up Bluegrass Cat (their dams are sisters). Also in the race would be 2yo Champ Lookin at Lucky, FL superstar Jackson Bend, surprise AR Derby winner Line of David (Super Saver was a nose behind him at Oaklawn), FL Derby winner Ice Box and Paddy O' Prado a turf horse who had the best chance to take his form to the dirt.
Ridden by Calvin Borel who had rode Street Sense and the surprise Mine That Bird to Derby wins, Super Saver sat in sixth for the first 1/2 mile. Once they reached the mile mark was when he made his move and would draw off in the stretch holding off an on charging Ice Box. This marked the first time that Pletcher had been in the Winner's Circle as a trainer (although he had been an assistant in 1995 when Thunder Gulch won for D. Wayne Lukas). It was Borel's third Derby win in just 4 years. It was also Pletcher's second TC race win as he won the 2007 Belmont with the filly Rags to Riches. Here is Super Saver's win:
After the race, Super Saver would not hit the board in his remaining races including the Preakness and Travers. Although he retired after the latter, he still holds a special place in my heart. He currently stands at WinStar Farm in Kentucky with 2003 Derby winning sire Distorted Humor, beaten 2005 Derby favorite Bellamy Road, Take Charge Indy who was also ridden by Calvin among others.
Todd has gone on to win the 2013 Belmont with Palace Malice and Calvin was inducted into the Racing Hall of Fame in 2013.
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