And the 2011 Kentucky Derby winner is...

Fantasy Derby: Soldat draped in roses – by HRN Handicapper Jarrod Horak

SOLDAT, exiting a disappointing effort as the favorite in the Florida Derby, rebounded in a big way to capture the 137^th running of the Kentucky Derby by a resounding three lengths.

COMMA TO THE TOP sped to the early lead under Pat Valenzuela and set solid splits of :23.65, :47.75, and 1:11.95. He was followed closely by DECISIVE MOMENT and SHACKLEFORD.

Comma To The Top and Decisive Moment were the first to crack and Shackleford took up the running shortly after six furlongs. At this point the stalkers were on the move with UNCLE MO making the first run.

For a brief moment it looked like the 2-year old champ would spurt clear but John Velazquez had to shake him up after a mile in 1:36.99. His lack of fitness caught up to him and he slowly started to fade from contention. Soldat, sitting chilly in 5^th for much of the running under Alan Garcia, came up to Uncle Mo’s flank and hit the front turning for home.

MUCHO MACHO MAN sat a decent midpack trip and tried to go with Soldat but could not match strides with that one in the lane. TWINSPIRED weaved his way through traffic under Mike Smith and outfinished ARCHARCHARCH for the show at 33-1.

The Kiaran McLaughlin trainee enjoyed a trouble free tactical journey and that was the key to his success on the first Saturday in May. He stopped the clock in 2:03.23 and paid $34.40 to win. 

Uncle Mo weakened to finish 8^th and was not the only disappointment. Derby favorite DIALED IN was 20^th in the early going and worked his way to 5th at the top of the lane but flattened out to finish 9^th. 

SANTIVA was squeezed back early and experienced traffic woes in a better than appears 5^th. Shackleford held the best of the early runners but could not quite get the ten furlong trip. TOBY’S CORNER also had traffic troubles in a 7^th place effort.

“Kiaran was very confident and told me to place him right behind the leaders,” said overjoyed winning rider Alan Garcia. “I could not have asked for a better trip and I look forward to riding him back in the Preakness.”

“Alan rode a great race and I cannot express the joy I feel in winning the Derby,” said tearful conditioner Kiaran McLaughlin. “I would like to thank the owners, assistant trainer, groom, and everyone else involved with this horse. I will cherish this special moment for the rest of my life.”

It is on to Baltimore, Maryland for the Preakness Stakes in two weeks and Soldat has the right tactical style to succeed at Pimlico. If he has as much luck as he did under the Twin Spires and another smooth journey, the others could be in big trouble on May 21. 

Full Result Chart Below