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Triumph and Tragedy in Louisville
Original article written by The Steward posted 16 years 4 weeks agoBraveheart won the 20th Louisville Derby for trainer Eric Nalbone, holding off the late charges of Desert Nomad and The Right to Dream, but was pulled up with a fractured foreleg 1 1/16th past the wire. The three-year-old son of Oak Park is a half to Saga, who also won the Derby and then broke down in the Desert World Cup a year later to end his career.
Nalbone hasn't yet decided if Braveheart will remain in training to compete as a four year old or if he will retire now.
The race unfolded in dramatic fashion as Reis, Revenge, Live Strong, and Hammer competed for the lead in the backstretch. Hammer dropped back early, and Revenge took the lead, but it was held briefly as Live Strong challenged him and Braveheart took over.
The crowd sobbed when Braveheart was loaded onto the van, but was glad to hear that the colt would live.
Other horses who finished well were Noble Aura and Zinfandel's Story. Both are expected for the Baltimore Crown.