LOUISVILLE, May 7 (Reuters) - Jockey John Velazquez, without a win in 12 previous attempts, must have thought his Kentucky Derby luck would never change when well fancied Uncle Mo was pulled out the day before the race.
It meant that for the third year in a row the Puerto Rican-born pilot had been deprived of the chance to partner a leading contender after likely favorites Quality Road (2009) and Eskendereya (2010) also defected.
To make it worse for Velazquez, Uncle Mo's withdrawal had come hard on the heels of another heartache when his mount for Friday's $1 million Kentucky Oaks, the likely favourite R Heat Lightning, had to be scratched because of a knee problem.
He was down, but not out.
When fellow jockey Robby Albarado was obliged to give up his Derby mount on 20-1 outsider Animal Kingdom after suffering facial injuries earlier in the week, it was the vastly experienced Velazquez who got the call to step in.
After sprinting to an impressive 2 3/4 length victory on Saturday on the lightly raced colt, Velazquez told reporters: "I guess it was meant to be. A lot of things happen for a reason."
The 39-year-old added: "People came to me and said 'three years, back to back' but I guess it was meant to be, no matter what."
Although Animal Kingdom went off at long odds, his intended jockey Albarado clearly felt the colt was not without chances. Velazquez explained: "The only thing he said to me was 'You're riding a good horse !"
English-born trainer Graham Motion had also planned to run the better fancied Toby's Corner but the colt had to be scratched on Tuesday because of a leg problem, leaving Animal Kingdom as his sole contender.
Motion, also winning his first Kentucky Derby, said: "Animal Kingdom's just a very special horse and I was so impressed with how he handled everything today."
Velazquez sympathised with unlucky Albarado, telling media: "You definitely feel bad but in this business it's a roller-coaster and I've been on the other end as well."
He added: "I've seen it a lot but I told Robby 'Don't worry. If we win this race I'm going to take care of you.'"
Winning owner Barry Irwin said: "Robby has won a lot of good races for us. He's a hell of a pro' and this thing just came up bad. Believe me, we'll find a way to make this up."
It meant that for the third year in a row the Puerto Rican-born pilot had been deprived of the chance to partner a leading contender after likely favorites Quality Road (2009) and Eskendereya (2010) also defected.
To make it worse for Velazquez, Uncle Mo's withdrawal had come hard on the heels of another heartache when his mount for Friday's $1 million Kentucky Oaks, the likely favourite R Heat Lightning, had to be scratched because of a knee problem.
He was down, but not out.
When fellow jockey Robby Albarado was obliged to give up his Derby mount on 20-1 outsider Animal Kingdom after suffering facial injuries earlier in the week, it was the vastly experienced Velazquez who got the call to step in.
After sprinting to an impressive 2 3/4 length victory on Saturday on the lightly raced colt, Velazquez told reporters: "I guess it was meant to be. A lot of things happen for a reason."
The 39-year-old added: "People came to me and said 'three years, back to back' but I guess it was meant to be, no matter what."
Although Animal Kingdom went off at long odds, his intended jockey Albarado clearly felt the colt was not without chances. Velazquez explained: "The only thing he said to me was 'You're riding a good horse !"
English-born trainer Graham Motion had also planned to run the better fancied Toby's Corner but the colt had to be scratched on Tuesday because of a leg problem, leaving Animal Kingdom as his sole contender.
Motion, also winning his first Kentucky Derby, said: "Animal Kingdom's just a very special horse and I was so impressed with how he handled everything today."
Velazquez sympathised with unlucky Albarado, telling media: "You definitely feel bad but in this business it's a roller-coaster and I've been on the other end as well."
He added: "I've seen it a lot but I told Robby 'Don't worry. If we win this race I'm going to take care of you.'"
Winning owner Barry Irwin said: "Robby has won a lot of good races for us. He's a hell of a pro' and this thing just came up bad. Believe me, we'll find a way to make this up."
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