The 157,770 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. About 3 1/2 inches of rain fell in Louisville Friday and overnight, but because of the sunny, windy conditions and temperatures in the low 70's, the rain-soaked track dried up throughout the day, leading to a fast track and a good turf course in time for the stakes races.
Seven older horses took to the turf in the $500,000 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic (G1) at 1 1/8 miles. 5-1 fourth choice Thorn Song set a slow pace of 24.68, 49.13, and 1:12.97 over the good turf course while as many as 2 lengths ahead of the rest of the field. Entering the stretch, Thorn Song tired as 2-1 favorite Einstein, who had stalked him in third early, took over the lead, opening up a 2 length advantage at the 1/8 pole after a mile in a 1:37.74. 9-2 third choice Out of Control, who was fourth early, put in a mild bid late but was left with too much ground to make up, as Einstein cruised under the line 1 length ahead in 1:50.50. It was another length back to 6-1 Artiste Royal third.
