The 156,635 fans who came out to Churchill Downs on Kentucky Derby Day were not only treated to the Derby itself but also to an exciting undercard of five graded stakes with possible Breeders' Cup implications later in the year. The track started off as "good" but when forecasted rains held off and the sun came out instead, the track dried out to "fast" in time for the Humana Distaff and the Derby. The turf course remained yielding after rains Thursday and Friday. Some of these races used to be contested under handicap conditions but this year were carded as allowance events.
In the $250,000 Churchill Downs Stakes (G2) for older horses sprinting 7 furlongs, 8-1 shot Saint Anddan battled on the pace with 13-1 outsider Cougar Cat through a half in a brisk 45.68, then took over the lead entering the stretch and drew away to a 2 length win. Cougar Cat faded to fifth. The running time was 1:22.31 over the good, sealed main track. 11-10 favorite Ah Day, who was unhurried early, was left with too much ground to make up finishing second. 4-1 Will He Shine was third.
Winning jockey Mario Pino said, "He saved ground on the turn and ran really well. He finished up strong and galloped out really strong, just like he did last time. He's a very nice horse."
