Orb shrugs off mud at 139th Kentucky Derby

With sloppy conditions greeting the field at the start of the 139th running of the Kentucky Derby on Saturday afternoon, the horses responded by putting on a solid show, highlighted by Orb breaking out from the back of the pack for the win, giving Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey and jockey Joel Rosario their first Derby win each. 

Orb, running as the 5-1 favorite at post time, turned in a 2:02.89 mile and a quarter, paying $12.80, $7.40, and $5.40. Long shot Golden Soul was second, paying $38.60 and $19.40 with Revolutionary finishing third, paying $5.40 to show. Early leader Normandy Invasion faded to a fourth place showing.

As for the two riders chasing milestones, Rosie Napravnik finished fifth on Mylute, the best showing ever by a female jockey in the Kentucky Derby, and Kevin Krigger, riding Goldencents in a bid to become the first black jockey to win the Derby since 1902, came in 17th place.

As for my official Derby predictions:

---

My #KentuckyDerby pics (win/place/show): Revolutionary, Orb, Golden Sense, and my long shot pick is Overanalyze

— Thomas Keister (@thomaskeister) May 3, 2013

Yeah, that would have been ten bucks well spent. Okay, for starters, I know now I misspelled Goldencents' name. If the horse was offended, I apologize. Wait...I picked Goldencents to show, and he comes in 17th out of 19 horses? Apology rescinded. Guess Rick Pitino's recent run of good fortune is slowing a bit.

Didn't think I did too bad with Orb and Revolutionary, even if I jumbled their finish a bit. Usually I'm no closer to the winner's circle than the prime viewing spot in my living room, but to actually be in the ballpark with two horses is kind of cool. I might even have to pay more attention next year than just the week before the race.