2007 Kentucky Derby
The 2007 Kentucky Derby saw 156,635 spectators – the third-largest crowd in Derby history – watch Street Sense thunder to victory ahead of Hard Spun. Included among the spectators were Queen Elizabeth II and her husband Philip.
Street Sense, ridden by Calvin Borel and trained by Carl Nafzger, entered the 2007 Kentucky Derby as the 9-2 favourite.
Almost a full mile into the race, Street Sense was still occupying second-last position against the rails. With just a quarter mile to go, Borel – known for his ability to stick to the rails to save ground – moved Street Sense to the outside and accelerated to the front of the 20-horse field.
Street Sense won the Kentucky Derby ahead of Hard Spun by 2¼ lengths, at a time of 2:02:17. He set the record as the highest-priced winning favourite – after Smarty Jones in 2004 – in Kentucky Derby history, paying $11.80 for a win, $6.40 for a place and $4.60 for a show.
Street Sense’s 2007 Kentucky Derby win also made him the first winner of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile ever to win the Kentucky Derby, as well as the first horse since 1979 to win the Derby after also have been awarded the title of US Champion 2-Yr-Old Colt.
Curlin, the 5-1 second choice, took third position in the race. Curlin went on to win the Preakness Stakes two weeks later, just a head in front of Street Sense.
See Kentucky Derby 2007 results for the full race standings.
Of the 2007 Kentucky Derby win by Street Sense, trainer Carl Nafzger said, “I can’t believe it. I can’t believe it! This is the toughest race in the world to win.”
Street Sense’s owner, James Tafel, then 83 years old, said, “This is the aspiration of anybody and everybody in the horse business. It’s just overwhelming.”
With jockey Calvin Borel, Street Sense went on to win the 2007 Grade I $1 Million Travers Stakes. On 27 October, Street Sense finished his career with a fourth position in the 2007 Breeders’ Cup. This legendary 2007 Kentucky Derby winner has now been retired to stud, with total race earnings of $4,383,200.
Who do you think will take the Kentucky Derby on its 135th running in 2009?
We recommend William Hill for the best horse race betting experience.
