Millions who watched the Kentucky Derby on Saturday would agree that it lived up to its billing as the most exciting two minutes in sports. Street Sense, a 4-to1 shot at post-time, covered the distance in a little more than two minute, delivering more thrills, probably, than the last three Superbowls combined.  Jockey Calvin Borel added a touch of class in the winner’s circle that rarely obtains in the Superbowl end zone.  He not only seemed thrilled to have won the race, but genuinely surprised that he’d beaten such a strong field. Borel’s stunning, come-from-way-behind victory looked even more impressive in the replays, since, the first time around, the TV network’s cameras were too busy watching the leaders to much notice a horse that was running 19^th at the quarter mile.

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Even Carl Nafzger, the horse’s trainer, could not have foreseen the outcome with Street Sense for far behind the field for most of the race. But Borel found daylight along the rail, moving unchallenged from around twelfth place to third. When Curlin, ridden by Robby Albarado, blocked the way coming out of the final turn, Borel went to his right and Street Sense never broke stride, pouring it on in the final furlong to beat favorite Hard Spun by 2-1/4 lengths. Even the Queen of England must have been excited by the way the race turned out. 

We wish Borel and Street Sense well at the Preakness and the Belmont. It’s been nearly three decades since the last Triple Crown winner, but Street Sense has already shown that he’s got greatness in him.