The 2005 Kentucky Derby was the 131st running of the Kentucky Derby. The race took place on May 7, 2005, and was won by Giacomo, a longshot at odds of 50–1.[2] Another longshot, Closing Argument, finished second, resulting in an exacta payout of $9,814.80.[1] A crowd of 156,435 was in attendance.[3]
Contenders
The 5-2 favorite for the race was Bellamy Road, winner of the Wood Memorial Stakes.[4] Afleet Alex was the second choice based on his win in the Arkansas Derby.[5] Other leading contenders included Wilko (Breeders' Cup Juvenile), High Fly (Florida Derby) and Bandini (Blue Grass Stakes). Giacomo, whose only win was in a maiden race at age two, was one of the longest shots in the field at 50–1. He had finished fourth in the Santa Anita Derby in his previous start.[6]
Results
Spanish Chestnut went to the early lead and set fast opening fractions of 22.28 seconds for the first quarter-mile and 45.38 for the half. Closing Argument sat a few lengths behind and gradually improved his position, taking the lead in mid stretch. Meanwhile, Giacomo broke slowly and settled near the back of the field, carried five wide around the first turn. Still in 18th place after three-quarters of a mile, Giacomo started to make up ground while moving six wide around the turn. He ran into traffic problems entering the stretch but finally found racing room and closed steadily to win by half a length.[1][7]
"He had to overcome some pretty tricky moves. In the first turn, he got carried out. I had to ease him back, jump heels, save all I could save", said jockey Mike Smith. "Then I saw a little seam turning for home. I got him to the outside, and he just kept grinding and grinding and wouldn't stop until he got it."[7]
It was the first Derby win for all of Giacomo's connections: jockey Smith, trainer John Shirreffs and owners Jerry and Ann Moss. The payout on Giacomo was $102.60 for a $2 bet, at the time the second highest payout in Derby history to Donerail in 1913.[7]
