Kentucky Derby 2022: Stretch run an all-too-familiar ending for Brown

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – As the field turned into the stretch, trainer Chad Brown had every right to believe he was finally going to get his first Kentucky Derby victory late Saturday afternoon at Churchill Downs, as his Blue Grass winner Zandon loomed up in perfect striking position just behind the favored Epicenter. It was a scenario he had experienced twice before, with Normandy Invasion in 2013 and again with Good Magic five years later, both of whom also appeared poised to win the Derby a quarter-mile from the wire.

But as was the case in both those previous instances, it was just not to be for Brown. Zandon got within a half-length of the lead in the final sixteenth before hanging to finish third, beaten 1 1/2 lengths by surprise winner Rich Strike and three-quarters of a length by Epicenter for second. Brown was left somewhat stunned – as was just about everyone else by the final result – and a little frustrated but not hanging his head immediately after the race.

“I’d be lying if I didn’t tell you I was disappointed in the result, but certainly not the effort,” Brown said. “He had a great trip. He followed Epicenter the whole way, which was right where we wanted to be. Epicenter really took us through every hole. [Zandon] got a fair shot at him down the stretch, at that point I thought it would come down to those two, and it looked like we had the momentum just because Epicenter was a little closer to the hot pace than us. But he never did get by him and then this other horse just shot up the rail. That’s three times now I’ve gotten to the quarter pole and thought I was going to win.”

Normandy Invasion turned into the stretch on the lead and remained in front to the furlong grounds before fading to finish fourth, beaten 3 1/2 lengths by Orb, in 2013. Good Magic had dead aim at Justify at the head of the lane but could not make up any ground on the ultimate Triple Crown winner through the final furlong while holding off Audible by a head to finish second in 2018, giving Brown his best Derby finish. Zandon was the four-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer’s seventh Derby starter.

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“We’ll keep trying; we’re knocking on the door,” said Brown, who won a pair of Grade 2 stakes earlier on the card along with four races at Belmont Park on Saturday. “I’m so proud of my horse’s effort. He’s got nothing to be ashamed about. He’s a great horse and he ran his heart out. We had some really good highlights today, but this is what we’re here for. And to walk away without it, with a horse who was training so well and had such a great trip, is very disappointing.”