Monarchos - 2001 Kentucky Derby

[BIGRED224FOREVER]

he was as fast as big red, well maybe sham, however still fast as hell!

[hrhirene]

Just saw this after reading the breeder of Monarchos' book, Horse of a Different Color. This horse gives me shivers, and what a great call of the race. Thank you for posting!

[nohubcoupling]

Sorry boys,

I had Monarchos in the future book @ 25 and caught the exacta &1200 plus whun Invisable Ink nosed out Congaree

From Mr Pick 6

[Sportsguy574]

Wow a little off there...159 4/5 was not as fast as Sec. Sec. was 159 2/5...who still holds that record.

[magszags]

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand there off! in the kentucky derby

[briank4251]

Is it just me, or is Durkin the coolest announcer ever. His call puts you on the edge of your seat everytime...

[blitzinbluefish]

As excited as I was to have a 10$ WP ticket on Monarchos, I still can't get over how invisible Ink stuck his whiskers in front of Congaree at the line..cost me a 10$ exacta

[thackery12]

I agree. This was a great race. I hope the son can follow in the father's footsteps. Go WIN WILLY!!!

[BIGRED224FOREVER]

2:24

[jhracefan]

THANK YOU cf1970 for posting this video. I was such a Monarchos fan & this brought back so many fond memories of watching his Derby! That Durkin call STILL gives me goose bumps!!!

[shampton91]

if the call of this race doesnt make the hair on you arms stand up, then you must not be a racing fan...Durkin was at the top of his game that day...and Id say Monarchos was too! Nothing like getting derby fever this time of year like peeking back at race replays..gotta love it

[BBOY73]

Couldn't of said it better myself.

[blueskies123]

This is a textbook example of how to call a big race.

[AlfonsoGallegosP]

MI PRIMER KENTUCKY DERBY

[cruzer0322]

Durkin is the Best..

[nvrlose37]

I wish he would never stop calling these races.

[samynonthegreen]

Durkin is so good, the best of the best in all sports.

[bronco3250]

In most cases, the lead horse sets the pace, and it was a crazy pace that day. Who ever was riding Songandaprayer is the reason for the time. But you have to give credit to the horse. Monarchos looked great.

[Mariioss]

this race was espectacular, great horse.

[carlykaiser]

Gotta love that call form Durkin, he always knows when and how to step it up.

[vmg314]

Uhmm not quite. Monarchos was fast but not that fast. Monarchos besides being awesome had one of the best names I've ever heard for a horse. But lets get it straight... There is Secretariat and there is everyone else.

[lpvcrcd]

I remember the announcers saying the track was lightning fast that day. Packed hard not rather sandy and deep[cuppy] as usual.If Secretariat's record was gonna fall it would have that day

[vmg314]

Goes to show how AWESOME the SUPER HORSE REALLY WAS! HAIL SECRETARIAT!

[nvrlose37]

monarchos's name is really cool, but hes no super horse

[vmg314]

I agree. Monarchos was awesome but there is only one true SUPERHORSE and his name is Sercretariat!

[creepycoyote]

I love your last line. You are correct there.

[tomruff77]

what great video!!!! I hit the trifecta that day ill never forget it. 21 years old floating on air walking atta otb with 12 grand after the first horse race i ever bet!!! great memories!!!! what a day!!!!!

[EllieS1981]

Was a wonderful day. I hit the Oaks/Derby double and the exacta. I was 20 and had never bet the Derby. Pretty amazing day.

[LordxErick]

Chavez was a big part of this victory.... he also deserves some recognition!!!

[Dibsthe1]

I didn't see this one. I had a shift that day. :( I kept wondering, what if this is the Derby when the record falls? It NEARLY did. "As fast as Secretariat!"? Not quite.

[welovebecca]

come people he ran 2 tenths of a second off secretariat, thats like a head bob at the line. give this horse credit he won and he had to work to win.  So i think this is an amazing races, one to be remembered.

[mooks2k]

a little more than a head bob. Sham ran the same time( 2 tenths of a sec off Secretariat) and finished 2 and a half lengths behind Secretariat. Still an amazing race... under 2 min.

[katzpauz]

Secretariat covered the last 1/4 mile in 23 secs. That's covering 57.39 ft per sec or 11.48 ft for every 1/5 sec (over 39 mph). At 2/5 second faster than Monarchos, that's 22.96 feet or almost 3 lengths. MUCH more than a head bob at the line. But still a very fast race/horse.

[cf1970]

Katzpauz, I appreciate you doing the calculatory work and posting it here. It's very important for people to know just how fast Secretariat was really going to fully appreciate his unprecedented achievement. I still marvel at his fluid and extremely powerful stride, in the final turn and through the stretch especially. It's amazing to think that he was approaching top end speed for a thoroughbred at the END of the race. Mind-boggling is to put it mildly!

Thanks again for the very valuable input.

[katzpauz]

No problem! And I thoroughly appreciate the videos of Secretariat both you, gfn02, and others have posted. I have watched them literally dozens and dozens of times over the past year. Yet, after all those viewings, my eyes still well up every single time I watch Secretariat in the Belmont. His amazing performance coupled with Chic Anderson's call gets me everytime. Thanks again!

[cf1970]

I'm happy you've enjoyed them so much, and it's been a joy to share them, read comments (for the most part), and interact with so many fellow Secretariat fans here on YouTube. His Belmont is really the crown jewel in horse racing history. I'm still amazed that he did it all on his own, without Ronnie touching him! That's the most amazing part of all! Simply astounding.

Stop by anytime, on any video, and share your thoughts. I appreciate your involvement greatly.

Have a great weekend!

[Rodney81818]

If it was not for the blistering pace I beleive that Point Given would have won the race with a little slower pace and he would have been the Triple Crown Winner

[rock3203]

Given wouldnt have covered 1:59 4/5 under any circumstance, GO MONARCHOS !

[Rodney81818]

With a slower pace Monarchos would not have cover in 1:59 4/5. Point Given showed what would have happen in the Preakness and Belmont. Every horse in the Derby where cooked with that pace except the back of the pack, late running horses

[gunloc26]

Point Given got the best of Monarchos the 2nd time around, but NO way was he better then him at any distance. Don't get me wrong, I believe Point Given was an awesome colt, one of the best 3 yr olds ever. Him and Monarchos couldn't have been more evenly matched! And PS: Just a Hunch, "War Pass" will win the triple crown! Wait and see...

[TonyRoam24]

Pace makes the race...I handicapped this race for hrs. the night before and there was sooo much speed in the race. My buddy loved Point Given but I told him he would be too close to a very fast pace. I had $50 WinPlace on Monarchos. I haven't hit a Derby since....sigh...Although I did have Birdstone (cha-ching)in the Belmont cuz he was my Derby horse.

[aqpcayma]

Grande Jorge Chavez, así se monta!!! Viva el Perú!, aqui dando cátedra con Monarchos, ratifica la indiscutible buena escuela de los jockeys peruanos.

[BE109]

Look at the fractions in this race,44 4/5,1:09 1/5!!!! Any horse within 10 lengths seemed to be cooked! those are sprinting fractions. I was pulling for Balto Star, I knew when Durkin called the 1/2 mile time in 44 4/5 I knew Balto was cooked(he was stalking the leader). All those horses,except Congaree just stopped. I bet Chavez knew on the backside he had won the race.

[BE109]

Monarchos was the classic router(I hate the term plodder),it is apparent he needed a blazing pace to get up. The Florida Derby pace was very fast also. When things come together for a horse like Monarchos the result is exciting to say the least.

[Rodney81818]

I love the call on this race. "He was as fast as Secretariat"

[cf1970]

I loved it too. Durkin soon realized he made the mistake of thinking Secretariat ran his Derby in 1:59 4/5 when it was actually 1:59 2/5. Oh well, even the greats mess up, no shame in that. Great race by Monarchos, he did it just the way a router should.

Thanks for watching.

[Rodney81818]

Giacomo ran an excellant, but like was said before Secretariat and Bid were the fastest horses of all of the Great Horses

[ALYSHEBANDTHEBID]

bid holds the world record in the mile and a quarter, an unbelievable 1:57 4/5, that is nearly two seconds less than the secretariat mile and a quarter in the derby or 10 lengths difference, too bad Shoemaker was not Bids jockey in the triple races.

[cf1970]

The Bid was awesome, his record time was set as a 4. He's my 2nd favourite horse.

Did you know, almost 7 years previous to Bid's fine time, Secretariat (as a three) ran 1:57 4/5 while EASING through an extra furlong after his record setting time in the 1973 Marlboro Cup? Unofficial, sure, but there was more than one clocker on the track that timed him for that.

Check out my video and description of that race.

I agree, Shoe on Bid for the TC and beyond would have made him pretty much unbeatable.

[ALYSHEBANDTHEBID]

Bid's record didn't come to him easily, Relaunch set a blistering pace while the Paster was chasing him all the way, sadly he got unlucky few times in his career and everyone need a little luck sometimes, even the great ones, also secretariat Belmont's record speak for him as well, however Bid and Secretariat both lacked temperament, I think Native Dancer was more temperament and would have challenged them in the stretch if they were put in same race, I guess we will never know that.

[KidsTVFan]

If i was calling the race, I would say, "They're In The Gate. And They're Off In The Kidsongs Television Show Derby 20xx..."

[speedtherush]

Oh and yeah how can u say monarchas was even good if he hardly showed up at all? he lost his following races after the triple crown. and even before the derby he lost to congaree in the wood. so idk, monarchos wasnt even consistant. Point given was clearly the best 3 year old of 2001 [plus i think he would of smoked tiznow]

[speedtherush]

garnizzle lol u say point given will never be better than monarchos cuz monarchos after the derby he was "never the same horse"?

Um, I can challenge that. See, Monarchos beat point given when point given wasnt "the same horse" [he obviously didnt show up on derby day and plus the race was perfectly setup for monarchos]

[barbaro4ever8]

yea, only secretariat was 1:59 3/4 so he was like the same only a half off lol

never thought it could be done though, secretariat was just a super horse is wut he was...

[joeschmo03]

I had $50 on him... figured on the hot pace :) The call of the race was okay. "He's pulling away by two, he's pulling away by three..." What about 4 and 5, lol?

[garnizzle96]

Me and my dad hit about 5 tris, 6 exactas and about 1000 and 1000 on monarchos. but if the great point given could have just held fifth we would have had the super too. and im sorry but i dont think point given will ever be better than monarchos. he might have beaten him in both of the other legs of the triple crown but monarchos wasnt the same horse then

[ghostzapper2006]

Race was a complete pace setup for Monarchos. They ran the fastest opening half ever in Derby history and he was about 20 lengths off of it. Setup. In the Preakness he got introduced to Mr. Point Given under a more normal pace circumstance. LOL

[cf1970]

Fair points, to be sure, but you gotta give Monarchos credit for running his Derby, his way.

No matter how he got there, it's still a fine performance, even though the track was said to be ramped up a little bit.

Point Given, now there was a terrific horse. And huge too.

One of my favourites of the last ten years for sure.

[joeschmo03]

Point Given should've stayed further back off that hot pace in the Derby then. The only fast pace excuse can be for a speed horse that needs the lead. If a horse can rate, it's the jockey's responsibility to be in the right spot according to the pace.

[WSBT960]

I remember I was listening to this race on the radio with my prom date when I was driving her to dinner, I remember going nuts when they said Monarchos was winner. I remember yelling..."ERIKA I FINALLY PICKED A WINNER! I FINALLY PICKED A WINNER!" Oh yeah btw the prom went very well, lol.

[cf1970]

Thank you for sharing your experiences. It was fun to read. Take care.

[fhry6a]

HERE COMES MONARCHOS! I've been dying to see this race ever since I "met" Monarchos at Claiborne Farms. You know he's totally changed colors since 2001?

[cf1970]

That's terrific! He ran a strong race, and what a kick to run away at the end! Has he gotten a fair bit lighter in his advanced years? Thanks for watching and sharing. Take care.

[fhry6a]

Yeah, he's completely white now.

[cf1970]

White horses look awesome.

Enjoy the Derby.

Take care.

[ruffian01278]

Actually, Sham did run the second fastest Derby behind Secretariat. Monarchos is the third fastest Derby, second fastest winner.

[cbstve11]

Monarchos and Invisible Ink ran 1-2 in the Florida Derby as well, they were co-entrants in that race.

[zedbout]

God, Tom Durkin is by far the best caller in the game. Thanks for the upload.

[cf1970]

Yeah, Durkin is my favourite too. He has great phrasing and enthusiasm. Glad you enjoyed it. Take care.

[bon1042]

Imagine it.. watching this and realizing 159:4/5 was SHAM's time racing with Secretariat, and the poor devil couldn't win. Sham's time realy has stood as 2nd fastest Derby, right? I read that Sham's heart weighed either 17 or 18 lbs., which would account for his stamina in 1973 Triple Crown race, would it not?

[cf1970]

Yes indeed, bon. Sham had terrific stamina. SECRETARIAT was just that much better. Monarchos ran an awesome race, but Big Red was wide while passing horses for most of his Derby. That fact alone shows just how incredible SECRETARIAT really was. He sure loved to run, and mostly all on his own without prompting. Merry Christmas.

[blusterjfk]

Monarchos started last, or close to it, didn't he? Just like the king!

[cf1970]

You're absolutely right, blusterjfk. Monarchos paced himself well, but was a BULLET at the end of that race. What great memories of Secretariat I had when watching this. Take care.

[gfn02]

ONLY the big boy himself, SECRETARIAT, has ever run a faster Derby!

[cf1970]

Yes indeed, gf! Monarchos ran a wonderful race, but not QUITE as fast as Big Red! Take care.

[JSanity01]

yes he ran well, but there was alil controversy days after. many were sayin that Churchill downs had so called "souped up" the track for the derby, which led to those fast time. they sure was flyin.

[ruffian01278]

Actually, Sham ran the second fastest Kentucky Derby. Monarchos only is credited with the second fastest winning time.

[gfn02]

Cool; that '73 Derby is just an incredible anamoly; what are the odds that the 2 fastest in history will be run on the same day?

[ruffian01278]

The entire 70s were filled with anamolies.  There was something in the water that decade that gave us the best crop of racehorses ever. People that were lucky enough to be a racing fan then are the witnesses of a golden generation

[gfn02]

No doubt whatsoever; Affirmed, Seattle Slew, Spectacular Bid, Alydar, Forego, Riva Ridge, Cannonero II, Little Current and of course SECRETARIAT. Incredible!

[ruffian01278]

Don't forget the great John Henry, Tuffian, Foolish Pleasure, the Bid, and Alydar.

[gfn02]

Boy oh boy! You're exactly right. I neglected to mention them. I'm sorry; the 70's were filled with the best quality horses in history. Remarkable!