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Believe the Hype Wins the Louisville Derby
Original article written by Louise Bayou posted 13 years 1 week agoSometimes a horse is just named correctly. On Friday of Week 6, Norman Architecture’s home bred Believe the Hype lived up to his name and became the Year 27 Louisville Derby winner! Norman bred his Worth Fighting For mare, Haley Road to the great stallion Throne and hoped for the best.
After decent but not spectacular works, this colt was entered in his first race, a 1 1/16 mile Maiden Special Weight in Week 11. He showed big promise with a win and a speed figure of 77. Four weeks later Norman stepped him up in class to the Greenspan Stake. In that 1 1/8 race he exploded with a sizzling win and a 97 speed figure.
Three weeks later was the Grade 3 Texan Derby, that included two top notch 3 year olds, Prophet and The Awakening. Once again Believe the Hype showed his class with a win by ¼ and earning a swift 96 speed figure. Two weeks later would be this colt’s final prep for the Louisville Derby, the Grade 1 Kentucky Blue Stakes. A loaded field of great horses including The Awakening, Awakeandwonderful and Career Maker made this a tough prep race. After falling to his knees at the start, Believe the Hype could finish no better than 3rd, ending his perfect record.
But I think that this prep was a perfect stepping stone for him, and while a loss is tough with this kind of horse, I think it did him a world of good. Its been said many times that for a horse to win the Louisville Derby they must have a tough race or two, and that is what he got in the Kentucky Blue Stakes.
Derby Day broke bright and clear as a field of 15 lovely horses and a bunch of nervous trainers walked in to the paddock at Louisville Downs. This field is one of the most talented crop in a long time. As the field loaded in the gates, breaths were held and prayers made.
As the field broke Stay Awake was quickest in to stride and went right to the front. Meanwhile The Awakening broke poorly and All the Reasons were slow in to stride. Believe the Hype broke smoothly, and his jockey Frederick Dixon took him behind horses early. The two front runners Stake Awake and The End Upon Us were joined by Same and they dual up front early.
After a slow break All the Reasons had shown speed and sat mid pack. Heavy favorite Redwood and crowd favorites Highly Regarded and Career Maker also found good spots early. The Awakening found a spot mid pack but found traffic trouble and does not respond.
As the field turned for home Stay Awake shook clear of his early company Same and The End Upon us and drew clear by 2 lengths. But the early dual has taken it’s toll on Stay Awake and the closers have started to make their run at him. The first to make a run at him was Redwood, but after being asked by jockey Oliver Woodruff he did not respond.
Highly Regarded and Believe the Hype both make their move as does Career Maker from way back. The gutsy Stay Awake felt the pressure coming and still finds more after this grueling pace. But Believe the Hype found another gear and dives for an opening on the rail and burst through.
As Believe the Hype and Stay Awake race eye to eye, the pace takes its toll on Stay Awake and Believe the Hype strides away as they close in on the wire. Norman Architecture’s home bred is the newest Louisville Derby winner, and gives his owner his first ever blanket of roses. Stay Awake was a gritty and determined 2nd, and showed much class and heart after those fractions. Cleo Patra’s Career Maker was third.