Kentucky Derby 2018 finish order, reactions on all 20 horses
We'll find out over the next few weeks how special of a winner Justify was of the 2018 Kentucky Derby. And coming in, certainly we believed this to be a special field.
First, the full Equibase chart is available with comments on all runners. But here, we'll also offer a complete order of finish with margins from the winner and reaction from jockeys and trainers on Saturday's race at Churchill Downs.
1. Justify
“Going into the race the main concern was just getting him out of the gate," said jockey Mike Smith. "This horse is so talented. I keep using the term ‘above average’ because he has a mind to him as well. It was a sigh of relief when I got him out of the gate and I just stayed out of his way."
2. Good Magic (2 1/2 lengths)
"We knew going in that Justify looked like a big monster and we didn’t want to be too far away," said trainer Chad Brown. "Jose (Ortiz) executed it perfect. I asked him to follow him even if the pace was a little quick to keep him in close range. We thought he was the horse to beat and it was true. Very proud of our horse. He held on for second there. We’re working our way toward that winner’s circle. It wasn’t to be this year. It was a tough field. But I’m real proud of this horse. He kept fighting all the way to the end and he showed that he’s a top-class horse.”
3. Audible (2 1/2)
“I had a perfect trip," said jockey Javier Castellano. "That’s why I was looking forward to today, because I knew there was a lot of speed. He was the only horse that came from behind. I was proud the way he did it. He finished good. I’m satisfied the way he did it.”
4. Instilled Regard (4 1/4)
“I got slammed out of the gate pretty good," said jockey Drayden Van Dyke. "I would have liked to be a tad bit closer but I ended up with a pretty good trip without getting stopped. I got in a little situation turning for home as I had to weave through a couple of horses but I got a clear run down the lane. He had a good chance to really run down the lane. He ran hard and good. Fourth is huge.”
5. My Boy Jack (7)
“He got stopped cold," said trainer Keith Desormeaux. "Awesome performance to recover and run fifth. Love, love, love his heart.”
6. Bravazo (8)
“I was surprised how good he handled the sloppy track," said jockey Luis Contreras. "I got a good break and tried to stay as close as I could. I got a bit of a wide trip but it happens in a race like this. He moved very good on the far turn but horses passed me in the end.”
7. Hofburg (8 3/4)
“It went pretty good at first, then horses came backing up in front of me and I had nowhere to go," said jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. "I had to check him a little bit and after that he came back. When I asked him he was there, he was coming.”
8. Lone Sailor (9 1/4)
“It started out really, really good," said trainer Tom Amoss. "We had a good position inside. We were making up some ground and then on the backside we had to wait behind a horse that was stopping. We were forced to drop back and re-rally and that’s tough to do. We’re very proud of our horse.”
9. Vino Rosso (10 1/2)
“He broke well," said jockey John Velazquez. "It’s tough obviously starting that far outside. We got into a good position in the far turn but just couldn’t make up that much ground.”
10. Solomini (11)
“I knew he was up against it, especially since we were going to try something different with him," said trainer Bob Baffert. "You have to take a chance. He earned his way and he ran 10th and there were some good horses behind him.”
11. Firenze Fire (13 1/2)
“He ran great and we beat the odds to get here," said trainer Jason Servis.
12. Bolt d'Oro (14 1/4)
"When the real running started, he just didn't have it," said owner and trainer Mick Ruis. "Victor (Espinoza) said he tapped him a few times and when he didn't respond, he knew he was in trouble and he just didn't feel like beating him up. We'll see how he comes back and scope him; see if there was any mucus or anything like that. We'll see how his legs are and in a few days we'll go from there. He's always been a nice sound horse. We'll just see what he does.”
13. Flameaway (14 1/2)
“We broke well and were in a good spot into the turn," said jockey Jose Lezcano. "We got to the rail and rated well on the backstretch. When I asked him to go he didn’t respond.”
14. Enticed (14 3/4)
“We just got bounced around a lot," said trainer Kiaran McLaughlin. "Congrats to the top three, especially the winner, who’s a freak. My horse didn’t like the conditions today but we’ll regroup.”
15. Promises Fulfilled (19 3/4)
“He (Justify) was right next to us the whole way and we just weren’t able to hold him off," said trainer Dale Romans. "It was an unbelievable performance by the winner, on this track, going that fast. He never stopped. He may be a super horse.”
16. Free Drop Billy (21)
“He was laying in position," Romans said, "but it looked like he was never getting a hold of (the track). I don’t know.”
17. Noble Indy (22 1/4)
“My horse did not like the wet track," said jockey Florent Geroux. "I was happy with the trip I had on the outside. I was about to take a good position but floated two-three wide on the first turn. He just didn’t handle the off going very well.”
18. Combatant (22 3/4)
“I tried to get him into the best spot I could breaking from that far out but he never really handled the kickback," said jockey Ricardo Santana.
19. Magnum Moon (29 1/2)
“He broke and put his ears back," said jockey Luis Saez. "A couple of jumps after the start, everyone was on top of me and I couldn’t get the spot I wanted. We will see in the next race if he will be any better. I didn’t think liked the track either.”
20. Mendelssohn (53 1/4)
“He just got knocked over coming out of the gate and then he got knocked over again going into the first bend, but he'll be fine," said trainer Aidan O'Brien. "He was never used to getting that much kickback. It's a totally different experience, you know, so, we'll be fine. We'll take him home and give him a break and come back (for the Breeders' Cup Classic). We'll look forward to the Classic with him.”