RACING: The Kentucky Derby remains every bit of as much an enigma for European trainers following Saturday's eclipse of Johannesburg, Essence of Dubai and Castle Gandolfo behind wire-to-wire winner War Emblem.
The two superpowers in Britain, in the shape of Coolmore and Godolphin, adopted contrasting methods in their respective quests to realise the Kentucky Derby dream for figure heads Michael Tabor and John Magnier and Sheikh Mohammed.
The Ballydoyle-trained pair arrived at the track on the morning of the race, while Essence of Dubai prepared for several weeks in the States.
In a race in which War Emblem was able to get an easy lead and set a leisurely pace before kicking away early in the stretch, very few of the 20 runners ever threatened.
In the end Johannesburg was our closest finisher in eighth, beaten more than 14 lengths. Essence of Dubai was a further two and half lengths back in ninth and Castle Gandolfo almost another five away in 12th.
No excuses were offered by any of the connections. Johannesburg's rider, Gary Stevens, did not take the view that his mount had not stayed the Derby distance of a mile and a quarter.
"He didn't break too well and was getting a lot of kick-back in his face for much of the trip," he said. "As we came into the stretch I was having to work hard on him. When you're that concerned three furlongs out you're never going to win the Derby."
Castle Gandolfo's American rider Jerry Bailey said: "I think the winner had it all his own way and my horse needed a faster pace in what proved to be a kick finish. He was never giving me the impression that he was ever going to get out of mid-division."
Godolphin trainer Saeed bin Suroor was putting a brave face on things after the contest, and like so many beaten connections blamed the defeat on the slow pace.
"They just didn't go fast enough early on and it soon became clear that the leaders were not going to come back," he said. "Essence of Dubai was fine afterwards, as was Imperial Gesture, who ran in Friday's Kentucky Oaks." KENTUCKY DERBY 1m 2f $4,794.00
WAR EMBLEM (USA) 9 0 V Espinoza (16-1) 1.
Proud Citizen (USA) 9 0 M E Smith (33-1) 2.
Perfect Drift (USA) 9 0 E Delahoussaye (16-1) 3.
Also: Blue Burner (USA) (9 0 C Nakatani), Buddha (USA) (9 0 P Day), Came Home (USA) (9 0 C McCarron), Castle Gandolfo (USA) (9 0 J D Bailey), Danthebluegrassman (USA) (9 0 K Desormeaux), Easy Grades (USA) (9 0 J G Chavez), Essence Of Dubai (USA) (9 0 D Flores), Harlan's Holiday (USA) (9 0 E Prado), It'sallinthechase (USA) (9 0 E M Martin), Johannesburg (USA) (9 0 G Stevens), Lusty Latin (USA) (9 0 G W Corbett), Medaglia D'oro (USA) (9 0 L Pincay), Ocean Sound (IRE) (9 0 A Solis), Private Emblem (USA) (9 0 D J Meche), Request For Parole (USA) (9 0 R Albarado), Saarland (USA) (9 0 J Velazquez), Wild Horses (USA) (9 0 R Douglas) 20 ran B Baffert.
CSF: $497.42 Win \43.00, places \22.80 and 22.60. Show 13.60, 13.40 and 6.40. Exacta \1300.80. SP's provided are an industry price guide.
