Barbaro Runs Away with Kentucky Derby

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) -- Undefeated Barbaro stormed into the lead at the top of the stretch Saturday and won the Kentucky Derby convincingly for a trainer hailed as a hero 17 years ago.
Michael Matz led three children to safety after United flight 232 from Denver to Chicago crashed into an Iowa cornfield.
Now, nearly two decades later, the two brothers and their sister were in the grandstand at Churchill Downs cheering the strapping bay colt onto his sixth consecutive win.
Given a masterful ride by Edgar Prado, Barbaro delivered a smashing 6 1/2 length victory in beating a full field of 20 3-year-olds -- considered one of the toughest in years.
With Sinister Minister and Keyed Entry setting the pace, Barbaro settled in right behind and made his move around the far turn, just as he had in winning his first five races.
The Florida Derby winner, making his first start in five weeks, had plenty left in the tank to hold off Bluegrass Cat.
Steppenwolfer was third, and there was a dead heat for fourth between Brother Derek and Jazil.
Barbaro becomes the sixth undefeated winner, following Smarty Jones in 2004.

Latest NTRA Polls

Week nineof the 2006 NTRA National Poll and Three-Year-Old Thoroughbred Poll conducted by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA), covering racing performances through April 30. Ranking of the top Thoroughbreds as selected by horseracing media representatives on 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 basis with first-place votes in parentheses, 2006 record and total points.

Age-Sex: C-colt, G-gelding, H-horse, F-filly, M-mare.Other Horse Receiving Votes: Barbaro-16, Lawyer Ron-13, Lost in the Fog-11, Spun Sugar-11, Behaving Badly-11, High Limit-9, The Tin Man-8, Silver Cup-7, Smokey Glacken-7, A.P. Warrior-7, English Channel-5, Fort Prado-5, Wend-5, Fleet Indian-4, Artie Schiller-3, Miesque's Approval-3, Sun King-3, Honey Ryder-3, Bordonaro-2, Bishop Court Hill-2, Healthy Addiction-1, Silent Name-1, Balance-1, Charmo-1, Bob and John-1

Other Horses Receiving Votes: Discreet Cat-12, Jazil-10, Too Much Bling-8, Cause to Believe-6, Sharp Humor-6, Bushfire-5, Fast Parade-5, Balance-3, Keyed Entry-2, Seaside Retreat-2, Sunriver-1, Wanna Runner-1, Sacred Light-1, Bernardini-1
Source: horseracing.about.com