The 2011 Kentucky Derby was up for grabs on Saturday, with few favorites and a bevy of contenders. The Derby field could best be described as so-so, with no clear-cut favorite, perplexing bettors and handicappers alike ahead of the race. Dialed In went off favored in the odds, but not by an overwhelming margin by an means. And by the time the horses were called to the post, nobody had a clear idea of which horse would emerge at the wire after the fastest, and most exciting, two minutes in sports.
In front of 164,858 people at Churchill Downs, a new attendance record, the horses broke from the gate in the 137th Kentucky Derby on Saturday afternoon. Comma to the Top took the early lead out of the gate, with all 19 horses bunched tightly down the front stretch. At the first turn, it was Shackleford by about a length, followed by Comma to the Top, Soldat and Decisive Moment. Pants on Fire and Nehro sat in a battle for fourth down the back-stretch.
As they came to the final turn, Shackleford held the lead, by Nehro made an early go of it rounding the final turn. As they hit the stretch. Shackleford held the lead on the rail, followed by Nehro and Animal Kingdom on the far outside as the three horses bolted for the wire.
Animal Kingdom got it at the wire by about a length to win the 2011 Kentucky Derby. It was his first race on a dirt surface, and what a race it was. At 21-1 odds, Animal Kingdom paid huge and was far from a favorite, or contender, in the Derby.
You can find even more information on the race and detailed results here.
With the Kentucky Derby over, it's time for a look back at the week at Churchill Downs. Stay with our 2011 Kentucky Derby StoryStream for more on the race, including full results, recaps and payouts. For more on the race, head over to SB Nation's Kentucky Derby StoryStream or check out And Down The Stretch They Come.
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