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2007 Kentucky Derby Undercard Results

By , About.com Guide

5 of 5

Sky Conqueror wins the Woodford Reserve Turf Classic
Sky Conqueror wins the Grade 1 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic at Churchill Downs

Sky Conqueror wins the Grade 1 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic at Churchill Downs

© Cindy Pierson Dulay
The penultimate stakes race on Kentucky Derby day is the $500,000 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic (G1). Canadian turf champion and 8-1 shot Sky Conqueror stumbled to his knees at the start and trailed the field early, well back from the pace set by 42-1 Shake the Bank, the rabbit stablemate of 5-2 second choice Better Talk Now. However, Sky Conqueror showed his class over the field, staying out very wide under patient handling by new rider Javier Castellano, and closing with a rush late to nose out 9-1 Brilliant at the line to get the win in 1:49.01 over the yielding course. It was just a length back to 17-1 Danzon in third.

Winning trainer Darwin Banach said, "We always have known he's a fantastic racehorse. We're just very proud of him. He had some bad trips in the past and he pulled it out here. I just like to see him get to the outside and get a straight run for the wire and not have to be checked and steered and turned and everything else. That's what he did, and we got there in time." Jockey Javier Castellano added, The only thing that I was really worried about is when he broke out of the gates, he really stumbled," Castellano said. "I'm glad he stayed up, and I think it worked out perfect because he had to stalk from off the pace, and he finished good."

Results chart from Equibase

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