I’ll Have Another, with a masterful ride by jockey Martin Gutierrez, joined the ranks of the immortals by winning the 138th running of the Kentucky Derby.
With Bodemesier taking the lead out of the gate and I’ll Have Another set behind the leader by about 12 lengths in 15th place, the
jockey moved in position to stalk before Gutierrez gunned him to catch the
leader in deep stretch. The winning margin was 1-1/2 lengths with I’ll Have
Another looking like he could go another 3 furlongs.
Trainer Doug O’Neill said after the race that his faith in
I’ll Have Another never waned despite the son of Flower Alley having been
considered by some a cut below other California Derby contenders. “That race
(The Robert B. Lewis that he won at 43-1) really surprised me. They wanted to
try that spot (the Lewis) to see if he was a Derby hose and then he repeated in
the Santa Anita Derby.”
I’ll Have Another went off at odds of 15-1 and paid $32.40.
“I don’t know what to say,” Gutierrez said. “Thanks to Mr.
(Paul) Reddam , the owner, for having the confidence he showed in me at Santa
Anita….” Gutierrez kicked around tracks in Canada before getting his shot in
California.
“Maryland here we come, baby!” O’Neill said about I’ll Have
Another going to the Preakness in two weeks.
Bodemeister, who led for most of the race, finished second
with Dullahan coming from deep stretch to close a strong third.
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