Undefeated Barbaro won the 132nd Kentucky Derby by seven lengths here on Saturday, pulling away to capture the two million-dollar opening leg of American racing's Triple Crown series.
Barbaro, only the sixth unbeaten horse to win the Derby, took the 1 1/4-mile Churchill Downs showdown of three-year-old thoroughbreds in an official time of 2 mins, 1.2 secs with Bluegrass Cat second and Steppenwolfer third.
"This is a dream come true," owner Roy Jackson said. "We feel so fortunate to be standing here."
The Triple Crown continues with the Preakness in two weeks and next month's Belmont Stakes. No horse has swept the treble since Affirmed in 1978 but jockey Edgar Prado says his first Derby winner in seven starts can achieve the feat.
"All along I was vert confident. It was just a matter of time until I turned him loose," Prado said. "I never had any doubt about the kind of horse he is. He did a super job. He's a super horse. He can get the Triple Crown."
Barbaro, a winner in all five of his prior starts and coming off a Florida Derby triumph, stumbled as he started from the eighth post position.
He stayed near the front early, allowing eventual last-place Keyed Entry and Sinister Minister to set the pace until bursting into the lead around the final turn, leaving a field of 19 rivals in the dust to take the "Run for the Roses."
"At that point I was thinking, 'Just don't fall down,' trainer Michael Matz said. "I'm very pleased with everything."
Matz, who survived a plane crash 17 years earlier, became the fourth consecutive first-time trainer to condition a Derby winner. Three children he pulled from the plane's wreckage attended the race with him.
Barbaro also became the first horse since Needles in 1956 to win the Derby after a five-week layoff, his last race being the April 1 Florida Derby victory.
None of the horses had ever raced at the distance before. Prado had the confidence to hold Barbaro back and take his chances at the finish.
"He showed me what a great horse he is," Prado said. "Dreams come true." Late bets made Sweetnorthernsaint the favourite at 5-1 atop Barbaro at 6-1 as horses entered the starting gates, punters losing confidence in morning-line favorite and Santa Anita Derby winner Brother Derek as the day wore on.
Brother Derek finished fifth, one place behind Jazil and one ahead of Showing Up, while Sweetnorthernsaint was seventh.
Lawyer Ron, who captured the Arkansas Derby in April and entered on a six-race winning streak, finished 12th.
Trainer Bob Baffert, seeking a fourth Kentucky Derby victory with three entries, came away empty as Wood Memorial winner Bob and John finished 17th, Blue Grass Stakes winner Sinister Minister was 16th and Santa Anita runner-up Point Determined was ninth.