Jockey Calvin Borel scored a huge upset in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) (VIDEO), threading 50-1 longshot Mine That Bird to a characteristic rail-hugging victory. The win was not only Borel’s second Derby in three years — he won on Street Sense in 2007 — but came on the heels of a 20-length triumph in the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) on heavy favorite Rachel Alexandra May 1.
"I did a Street Sense ride," said Borel, who is known for bringing horses up the rail and is affectionately called "Calvin Bo-Rail."
In the 19-horse field, only one horse had longer odds than Mine That Bird. That was Atomic Rain at 55-1.
After he squirted through on the rail in the stretch to surge past Pioneer of the Nile, who had taken the lead in the homestretch, Mine That Bird drew off under Borel to win by 6 ¾ lengths. The victory margin was the largest in the Kentucky Derby since eventual Triple Crown winner Assault won the Kentucky Derby by eight lengths in 1946.
Pioneerof the Nile was second, Musket Man, and Papa Clem finished fourth. The final time was 2:02.66.
Mine That Bird paid $103.20, $54, and $25.80. Pioneerof the Nile returned $8.40 and $6.40, and Musket Man paid $12 to show. It was the second longest-priced horse to ever win the Derby. Donerail paid $184.90 in 1913.
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