2006 Kentucky Derby


The 2006 Kentucky Derby was the 132nd running of the Kentucky Derby. The race took place on May 6, 2006 and was won by Barbaro. There was a crowd of 157,532 in attendance.

Contenders

Viewed as one of the most competitive fields in years, there was no clear cut standout going into the race. Brother Derek, winner of four straight including the Santa Anita Derby, was made the morning line favorite at odds of 3-1 but drifted out to nearly 8-1 by post time. Meanwhile, Sweetnorthernsaint went from 10-1 on the morning line to the post-time favorite at 11-2 off of his win in the Illinois Derby. At 6-1, Barbaro was the second favorite based on his undefeated record including the Florida Derby. He was attempting to become the first horse since Needles in 1950 to win the Derby off of a five week layoff. Other leading contenders included Lawyer Ron, Showing Up and Sinister Minister.

Results

Keyed Entry went to the early lead challenged by Sinister Minister, and set a fast early pace. Barbaro stumbled at the start and bumped with Bob and John, then was carried three wide into the first turn. Still racing wide, he started to make up ground on the far turn and hit the lead with a quarter of a mile remaining. He continued to open up ground and won by lengths over Bluegrass Cat, with Steppenwolfer closing late for third. Jazil and Brother Derek deadheated for fourth.
It was the first Derby winner for all of Barbaro's connections: trainer Michael Matz, jockey Edgar Prado and owners Roy and Gretchen Jackson of Lael Stable. Barbaro's margin of victory was the longest since Assault in 1946. He became just the sixth horse to win the Derby while still undefeated.
FinishPostHorseJockeyTrainerOddsMarginEarnings
18BarbaroEdgar PradoMichael Matz6.10$1,453,200
213Bluegrass CatRamon DominguezTodd Pletcher30.00 lengths$400,000
32SteppenwolferRobby AlbaradoDaniel C. Peitz16.30 lengths$200,000
4 - dead heat1Brother DerekAlex SolisDan Hendricks7.70 lengths$80,000
4 - dead heat18JazilFernando JaraKiaran McLaughlin24.20 lengths$80,000
66Showing UpCornelio VelasquezBarclay Tagg26.2010 lengths
711SweetnorthernsaintKent DesormeauxMichael J. Trombetta5.5013 lengths
814Deputy GlittersJose LezcanoThomas Albertrani60.6014 lengths
95Point DeterminedRafael BejaranoBob Baffert9.40 lengths
1015Seaside RetreatPatrick HusbandsMark Casse52.50 lengths
1119Storm TreasureDavid FloresSteve Asmussen51.90 lengths
1217Lawyer RonJohn McKeeRobert Holthus10.20 lengths
1316Cause to BelieveRussell BazeJerry Hollendorfer25.90 lengths
1420Flashy BullMike E. SmithKiaran McLaughlin43.00 lengths
1512Private VowShaun BridgmohanSteve Asmussen40.50 lengths
164Sinister MinisterVictor EspinozaBob Baffert9.7030 lengths
177Bob and JohnGarrett K. GomezBob Baffert12.90 lengths
1810A.P. WarriorCorey NakataniJohn Shirreffs14.10 lengths
199Sharp HumorMark GuidryDale Romans30.10 lengths
203Keyed EntryPatrick ValenzuelaTodd Pletcher28.80 lengths

Track condition: Fast
Times: mile – 22.63; mile – 46.07; mile – 1:10.88; mile – 1:37.02; final – 2:01.36.
Splits for each quarter-mile:
Source: Equibase Chart

Payout

;The 132nd Kentucky Derby Payout Schedule
Program
Number		Horse Name
Win
Place
Show
8Barbaro$ 14.20$8.00$6.00
13Bluegrass Cat-$28.40$15.40
2Steppenwolfer--$7.80

Barbaro fractured a leg in his next start, the Preakness Stakes, and died after a lengthy battle to save him. His ashes are buried at Churchill Downs below a bronze statue of him winning the Derby.
Several other horses from the field went on to record Grade I wins:
None of the participants in the 2006 Derby went on to become major sires. The most consistent was Bluegrass Cat, who ranked 35th on the 2016 general sire listing for example despite not having a Grade I winner. The best sire from the crop of 2003 proved to be Bernardini, who bypassed the Derby.