The record crowd of 165,307 fans in attendance at Churchill Downs on the first Saturday in May for Kentucky Derby day were treated to 5 more graded stakes races on the undercard. Before the main event, there are five graded stakes contested over the main track and turf course. Conditions were ideal, with overcast skies and temperatures in the mid 80's.
A field of 11 older horses went 1 1/8 miles on the turf in the $500,000 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic (G1). Turallure was sent off as the 2-1 favorite off second place finishes in the Breeders' Cup Mile (G1) and Maker's 46 Mile (G1), over 9-2 Doubles Partner, third in the Maker's 46, and 7-1 Turbo Compressor, third in the Sunshine Millions Classic. Jockey Joe Bravo sent 12-1 Little Mike to the lead first time by and he set fractions of 24.78, 48.27, and 1:12.81 while stalked by 10-1 Get Stormy. Into the lane Get Stormy tired as Little Mike opened up a 3 1/2 length lead at the 1/8 pole through 1 mile in 1:36.50. 11-1 Slim Shadey rallied from 6th but Little Mike cruised past the post 2 1/2 lengths in front in 1:48.81 over good turf. It was another 1/2 length back to 8-1 Brilliant Speed third, while favorite Turallure checked in 7th.
