2012 Kentucky Derby Recap: I’ll Have Another Pulls Off Upset

Despite coming into the 2012 Kentucky Derby off victories in the Grade 2 Robert B. Lewis and Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby, I’ll Have Another was sent off at betting odds of 15-1, running down the favorite Bodemeister in deep stretch to win the 138th Run for the Roses.

The colt was owned by Canadian businessman J. Paul Reddam, trained by Southern California based trainer Doug O’Neill, and ridden to victory by Derby rookie Mario Gutierrez.

Tracking the early pace from seventh, the colt came with a four-wide run coming into the stretch, got to the pacesetter Bodemeister inside the final furlong and drew clear late to win by 1 ½ lengths, returning his backers $32.40.

The $2 exacta with favorite Bodemeister returned $306.60, and the $2 trifecta with 12-1 Dullahan paid $3,065.60.

Gutierrez was riding in his first Derby, having moved his tack to Southern California after a successful stint in Canada.

Born in Mexico where he got started riding at the age of 14, the jockey moved to Canada in 2006 and won the jockey titles at Hastings Park in 2007 and 2008.

Reddam got his start in the horse racing business with standardbreds, racing at Windsor Raceway in Canada and Cal Expo in California.

In addition to his Derby and Preakness victories, Reddam campaigned Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner Wilko and Breeders’ Cup Turf winner Red Rocks.

Reddam purchased I’ll Have Another for just $35,000 at the Ocala Breeders’ Sale. The colt’s name has nothing to do with having another cocktail. Reddam stated he would say “I’ll have another” whenever his wife asked if he wanted another freshly backed cookie.

I’ll Have Another went on to win the Preakness Stakes and headed to New York to become the first Triple Crown winner since Affirmed in 1978, but a tendon injury knocked him out of the race on the Friday before the Belmont Stakes.

Several weeks after the Belmont Stakes, which was won by Union Rags, I’ll Have Another was sold to Japanese interests for $10 million and would stand the 2013 breeding season at Big Red Farm, located in Hokkaido, Japan.

I’ll Have Another Wins the 138th Running of the Kentucky Derby