Giacomo Upsets Field to Win Kentucky Derby

LOUISVILLE, Ky. May 8, 2005 — Giacomo, a 50-1 shot, defied the odds and won the $2.4 million Kentucky Derby in a gigantic upset Saturday, running down a game Afleet Alex in the final strides and generating a huge payoff.

Even though trainer Nick Zito had five horses in the field of 20, including the favorite, George Steinbrenner's Bellamy Road, this Derby belonged to a 3-year-old gray colt who won just once in seven races.

Giacomo, who always managed to stay in contention, finished fourth in the Santa Anita Derby, and trainer John Shirreffs was confident his colt would run well in the 1 1/4-mile Derby.

Did he ever.

The winner, named for the rock star Sting's 9-year-old son, was ridden by Mike Smith, who, at long last, grabbed his first Derby victory in his 12th attempt. Smith was also aboard Holy Bull, Giacomo's sire, when he finished 12th in the 1994 Derby.

Bellamy Road, the New York Yankee owner's first real Derby contender, never mounted a serious threat and finished seventh.

Closing Argument, a 70-1 shot, finished second with Afleet Alex third in the largest Derby field since 20 started in 1984. It was also the richest Derby ever run, up from $1 million last year.

The wild results produced the second-highest win payoff in Derby history. Giacomo returned $102.60 on a $2 win ticket. The Derby record is $184.90 by Donerail in 1913.

Under gorgeous sunny skies, and with the second largest crowd in Derby history 156,435 roaring as the field turned for home, it appeared as if Afleet Alex was on his way to a victory.

But Giacomo came on with a rush and won by a half length.

The winning time for the race was 2:02.75.

Zito, who saddled one quarter of the field, has to be wondering if he'll ever have a better chance at winning his third Derby.

Earlier in the week, Zito said: "If we don't get No. 3 now, then I'll have to have Secretariat himself."

When it was all over, he said: "I thought I was in good shape. Obviously, it wasn't our day, and that's what makes racing. It was a great experience, but a great disappointment."