Jessica Chapel / Railbird

The Rule Breaker

What Kentucky Derby rules? Animal Kingdom took care of any that remained before yesterday’s race with his surprise win at Churchill Downs. Although Team Valor’s colt did run as a 2-year-old, as has every Kentucky Derby winner since 1882, he was the first since Exterminator in 1918 to win with a mere four career starts, and he was the first since Needles in 1956 to win off a six-week layoff. He’s the fifth straight Derby winner to prep with only two starts as a 3-year-old, neither of those a Grade 1, and his Beyer speed figure of 103 is the lowest since Giacomo was given 100 in 2005.

Animal Kingdom was also making his first start on dirt in the Derby, coming off a win in the Spiral Stakes over the Polytrack at Turfway. I’ve argued several times here over the past four years, sometimes with stats, that synthetic surface-prepped horses are viable Derby contenders. Next year, such horses shouldn’t be throw-outs for anyone on the basis of surface.

Some photos from Saturday at Churchill …

Mucho Macho Man leaving the barn for the Derby.