Street Sense lands Kentucky Derby

Racing: Street Sense is a 6-4 chance with Coral to land the American Triple Crown after storming to a sensational success in…

Racing:Street Sense is a 6-4 chance with Coral to land the American Triple Crown after storming to a sensational success in the 133rd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.

The Carl Nafzger-trained colt made history as he became the first Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner to follow up in the 'Run for the Roses', powering home under Calvin Borel in front of a crowd in excess of 150,000.

Long-time leader Hard Spun was second, with the previously unbeaten Curlin third.

It was a magnificent performance by Borel as he kept cool in the face of adversity, with his mount having just one horse behind him at one stage.

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The Louisiana-born rider steered the son of Street Cry through the 20-runner field to loom large on the shoulder of Hard Spun entering the stretch and there was never a doubt about the result from thereafter as he streaked clear to triumph by two and a quarter lengths.

Hard Spun dug deep to hold on for minor honours, while the inexperienced Curlin ran a big race after also being in a far from ideal position in the early stages.

Nafzger was winning the race for the second time following Unbridled in 1990 and he told NBC: "He's a top horse. He's taken us everywhere we've been and he's taken us here today."

Referring to his early-race position, he added: "I think we got a lead!

"Any time you win a Derby, you take it, you're having a ball."

Borel had performed a similar rail-hugging manoeuvre when Street Sense won the Juvenile at this track in November.

He was overcome with emotion afterwards and said: "I knew I had the ability, it's just that I needed to find the horse to get me there.

"Once I got over (to the rail) it was pretty smooth. I knew I had him where I wanted. My horse has a tremendous turn of foot and he does whatever you want him to.

"I backed him up a little bit because they were going pretty good. I let them go on. I had an awesome trip.

"It was the chance of a lifetime and I'm happy to be here."

The next leg of the Triple Crown, which was last won by the Steve Cauthen-ridden Affirmed in 1978, is the Preakness at Pimlico on May 19.

Barking-based Coral also make Street Sense the 3-1 favourite to land the Breeders' Cup Classic.

The race was watched for the first time by the Queen, who was accompanied by Will and Sarah Farish, proprietors of Lane's End Farm.