Kentucky Derby 2017: Always Dreaming gives Pletcher 2nd Derby
Always Dreaming took command of the 143rd running of the Kentucky Derby heading into the final turn and then drew off to a convincing win of 2 and 3/4 lengths. The victory gave the long-time team of trainer Todd Pletcher and jockey John Velazquez each their second victory in the Run for the Roses and their first together.
Always Dreaming is owned by a partnership of Brooklyn Boys Stable, St. Elias Stable, and West Point Thoroughbreds (including former track announcer Tom Durkin). Brooklyn born and raised owners, Anthony Bonomo, Vinnie Viola, and their wives, made this the first win for a New York-based horse since Orb won the Derby in 2013.
Velazquez came into the race with a record of 18: 1-1-0 on the First Saturday in May. Six years ago he won the Derby on Animal Kingdom. Pletcher, who was frequently criticized for a Kentucky Derby record of 45: 1-2-3, got a bit of redemption seven years after he won his first Derby with Super Saver.
“We have had so much success in the past and we haven’t won the Derby,” said Velazquez. “Finally we got together with this horse. But he’s an incredible horse. He’s a very young horse without a lot of experience and the way he did it today was very impressive.”
After two days of intermittent rain, the track was sloppy with a great deal of surface water visible. Always Dreaming was one of many in the 20 horse field that had never raced on a wet track. On this day nothing bothered the Pletcher trainee who had been dismissed by many because he was very difficult to handle in the days leading up to the race.
Right out of the starting gate, Always Dreaming was in ideal position. Breaking alertly from the five-post position, the son of Bodemeister was put right into contention, behind the leader State of Honor. For the first half mile, which went in 22.70 and 46.53, Velazquez was on the rail just a length behind. At this point Johnny V. made the decision to slip Always Dreaming off the rail, into the two-path where he would be sure to have a clear run.
Velazquez described the trip, “Todd and I talked about it a lot, to make sure to come out of there running to get the kind of position we would like to have and be comfortable. Once he got in a comfortable position on the turn and we moved to the outside, he got into the bridle really really beautiful. From there I just waited until the quarter pole when I asked him to run.”
After six furlongs went in a strong 1:11.12 Irish War Cry and Rajiv Maragh were in contention, as was Battle of Midway, in third and fourth positions. Heading into the final turn State of Honor gave way and Velazquez asked Always Dreaming to make his final run. Irish War Cry came up empty at this point, but Battle of Midway was full of run.
From the back of the pack, Lookin At Lee was making his customary late run, as was Classic Empire. Classic Empire was bumped badly from both sides at the break and found himself much farther behind than he had ever been.
As the field straightened out, Always Dreaming was in the ideal position in the Kentucky Derby, which is on the lead with an eighth of a mile to go. From there it was clear that the dark bay colt was not going to be beaten. Lookin At Lee was able to pass Battle of Midway to get second place. Classic Empire, who had the worst trip of the top four, just missed passing Battle of Midway to the wire. The final time of the race was 2:03.59 for the mile and a quarter.
“Down the lane I thought they would really have to run hard to get us because he was really running,” said Velazquez.
Sent off as the 4.70-1 favorite by the crowd of 158,070 at Churchill Downs, Always Dreaming became the fifth favorite in a row to the Derby and returned $11.40, 7.20, and 5.80 across the board. Lookin At Lee, who was 33.20-1, paid $26.60 and 15.20 and finished out a $2 exacta that paid $336.20. Battle of Midway, who was 40-1, paid $20.80 to show and completed a $1 trifecta of $8,297.20. Classic Empire closed out a remarkable $1 superfecta of $75,974.50.
Always Dreaming, who was purchased at the 2015 Keeneland September yearling sale for $350,000, moved his career record to 6: 4-1-1 with earnings of $2,284,700.
In the end a very emotional Pletcher said, “It’s even more special then the first one. There has been a lot of talk about our Derby record. We were hoping for another win. This one is all the more sweet. It’s very special.”