1987 Kentucky Derby - Alysheba

Alysheba, a roguish colt whose misbehavior had cost him victories in the past, was almost knocked over by Bet Twice in midstretch but recovered courageously and won the 113th Kentucky Derby today at Churchill Downs.
Bet Twice, who weaved through the final furlong and would surely have been disqualified for flagrant interference had Alysheba not run him down, finished second, three-quarters of a length behind the winner. Avies Copy, a long shot who had been relegated to the mutuel field, was up for third, 2 1/4 lengths behind Bet Twice and a neck in front of Cryptoclearance.
Demons Begone, the 2-to-1 favorite, bled from the lungs shortly after the start, was pulled up by Pat Day down the backstretch and did not finish the race. He suffered no other injury and appears certain to race again.
Alysheba, a son of Alydar, who finished second to Affirmed in the 1978 Derby, paid $18.80 for $2 to win as the sixth choice in a field of 17 3-year-olds. The flashy bay-colored colt, a $500,000 yearling purchased by the Clarence Scharbauer family and trained by Jack Van Berg, earned $618,900 from a record Derby purse of $793,600.
www.nytimes.com/1987/05/03/spo...

[@Caroni100]

Alysheba (March 3, 1984 - March 27, 2009) * 26 Starts * 11 Wins * 8 Seconds * 2 Thirds * US$ 6,679,242 earned. * 1988 Eclipse Award Horse of the Year. * No. 42 in "The Bloodhorse Magazine Top 100 U.S. Racehorses of the 20th. Century List" One of the best thouroughbred horses of all time. We will never forget him! Best regards from Venezuela.

[@idubbzz7790]

slysheba from alydar

[@jacksmith8002]

Boy Alysheba could not had gotten in more trouble in the stretch, what an impressive win

[@tjstrong3607]

The voices of Sports in the days Jim McKay, Curt Gowdy, just the best

[@josephhale9198]

Dave Johnson. Etc

[@dankinsler1930]

Clipped heels at the top of stretch, knocked sideways and still wins the race going away....who knows what makes a horse want to win?...courage, heart, genes, whatever, Alysheba had it in spades.

[@jmarlow2153]

Instinct, actually.Running from predators.

[@jmarlow2153]

Alysheeba was all over the track,veered in,clipped Bet Twices heels

[@redbrian3655]

I still enjoy watching this race. I so appreciated McCarron's comment that "Alysheba is not crazy. He's just a kid, and younger in his mind than the others." What a year this ended up being with Alysheba, Bet Twice and Lost Code. BRIAN

[@Caroni100]

Only 73 days after winning Kentucky Derby, trainer Jack van Berg (17:15 to 17:57) won his 5,000th. race in Arlington Park with Art´s Chandelle. He was very emotional in Churchill Downs´ winner circle. In 1985 he was inducted to the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame. Congratulations Mister van Berg. Greetings from Venezuela.

[@Caroni100]

R. I. P. John Charles Van Berg (June 7, 1936, Columbus, Nebraska - December 27, 2017) In 1976, he sent a record for most wins in a year, with 496 and was also United States Champion Trainer by earnings ($ 2,976,196,00) Van Berg considered Alysheba (March 3, 1984 - March 27, 2009) the best racehorse he ever trained. God bless him! Regards from Venezuela and Happy New Year 2018 for everybody.

[@agustindejesus7398]

I remember this day . We did a one dollar pool at work. I was at aqueduct this Saturday. Sally the supply clerk won the pool. Damn it has rain! 35 years. If Bet Twice has won the race, he would have been disqualified.

[@jamesdio2948]

Alysheba is the greatest ever.

[@joebarr725]

Alysheba almost fell in midstretch and the race caller missed it because he had to yell "And down the stretch they come" as they were approaching the wire.

[@deana2444]

Alysheba was cut off 3 times and still handily won the race! Shea, Sheba was the horse and should have tripled crowned.

[@perryellis1423]

He stumbled in the stretch drive and still won..

[@racing747]

Loved Chris's ride on Alysheba. Despite almost falling and still winning. Must say .. Johnson was so bad an announcing he never even commented on how Alysheba nearly fell by clipping heels with Bet twice then bothered by Bet twice again at 1/16th pole. Never fan his.

[@Caroni100]

"¿El Derby de Kentucky? Aún no se ha creado un calificativo para describir su grandeza" José Gregorio Guillot, comentarista hípíco y productor radial venezolano. Saludos desde Venezuela.

[@johneddy908]

If you look closely you will see a big white and blue Ford tractor pulling the starting gate. More recently tracks have been using green and yellow John Deere tractors for that job.

[@johnhouseholder4692]

Oh he clipped the heals of Bet twice when he veered in.

[@Caroni100]

"The Kentucky Derby? There is no an adjective abel to describe its greatness" Jose Gregorio Guillot, venezuelan horse racing analyst and radio producer.

[@MIKIEEYEZ1975]

INCORRECT!! MY WIFE.. NOW THAT’S GREATNESS!! ❤️😎

[@Caroni100]

Alysheba nearly fell entering the final stretch. Only a great jockey like Chris McCarron saved the stumble and won a big race.

[@jackies2480]

I believe it was Alysheba's athletic ability that prevented a tragedy.

[@Caroni100]

R. I. P. John Charles Van Berg (June 7, 1936, Columbus, Nebraska - December 27, 2017) In 1976, he sent a record for most wins in a year, with 496 ans was also the United States Champion Trainer by earnings ($ 2,976,196,00) Van Berg considered Alysheba (March 3, 1984 - March 27, 2009) the best racehorse he ever trained. God bless him! Happy New Year 2018 to you.

[@babypenny9]

Can you do 2004 Oaklawn Breeders Cup S G3 1 1/16m thanks

[@Caroni100]

De acuerdo con la "Lista de los 100 Mejores Caballos de Carrera del Siglo XX en Estados Unidos" Alysheba (3 de Marzo 1984 - 27 de Marzo 2009) ocupa el puesto # 42. 11 victorias, 8 segundos y 2 terceros en 26 salidas a la pista para U.S. $ 6.679.642 en ganancias. Premio Eclipse "Caballo del Año" 1987; Premio Eclipse "Caballo Tresañero del Año" 1987 y Premio Eclipse "Caballo Maduro" 1988. Fue exaltado al Museo de las Carreras y Salón de la Fama del Hipismo en 1993.

[@4orrcountry]

Chris McCarron is one of the best jockeys ever: en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_McCarron

[@Caroni100]

Alysheba casi rodó entrando en la recta final. Sólo un jinete de clase mundial como Chris McCarron evitó el tropiezo para ganar una gran carrera.

[@lbmuncie]

1 of the Greats*****

[@DanielSong39]

Bet Twice probably should have been disqualified had he crossed the wire first. But then again Sunday Silence was not disqualified for interference in the Derby so you never know.

[@DanielSong39]

@Danny Hilding Yes, it was a dangerous move and Northern Wolf could have easily gone down. Sunday Silence then weaved across the track discouraging the other horses from chasing.

[@MrZiggy019]

RIP Jack Van Berg....a legend trained a legend....www.thoroughbreddailynews.com/hall-of-fame-trainer-jack-van-berg-passes-away/ REPLY

[@johnhouseholder4692]

What a bad step.

[@TheGregory99]

terrible race call, I'm sorry.

[@brendanmings624]

Greg Phillips I agree I'm really not the biggest fan of Dave Johnson's he has made some good calls but I agree this one was bad

[@4orrcountry]

I disagree. A perfectly good call of a Derby that had more than its share of mid-race developments.

[@brettwilkinson9529]

@@4orrcountry Nonesence. Watch 2007 Melbourne Cup KZbin and you will understand a decent race caller

[@racing747]

Terrible track announcer period!! Could you imagine if Tom Durkin had chance to announce that race how exciting the fans would been by hearing Tom's amazing race calling! Johnson... And down the stretch they come.. Horses were nearly at the finish line. Sucked so bad.

[@racing747]

Dave Johnson was Soo overrated! He didn't even notice nor commented while announcing that Alysheba clipped heels and checked after! The legend Tom Durkin would've been all over that. Also Hated when he'd say And down the stretch they come when horses where nearly at wire. Horrible announcer.

[@racing747]

I agree!!!! Waay overrated as track announcer. Never even noticed Alysheba nearly falling.

[@michaelyusko]

Could have been the worst call of The Derby in history.

[@4orrcountry]

??

[@4orrcountry]

I disagree, it was a perfectly good call of a Derby that had more than its share of mid-race developments.

[@racing747]

Yes!!! Agree!! Soo boring. And didn't even commented on how Alysheba nearly fell at 1/8 th pole. Worse track announcer IMO.

[@jmarlow2153]

Mine that Bird ..his call was ten times worse.

[@brettwilkinson9529]

America need to get New Zealand and Australian race callers.This was a shit race calling performance for a classic race

[@hpribot]

I never cared for Alysheba. I don't care what he won, I just couldn't get into him.

[@4orrcountry]

...in which case, WHY did you come here?

[@supernerfboy2486]

really!!! Aly was great!!

[@supernerfboy2486]

a son of Alydar,,,Sheba was fantastic!!!

[@Caroni100]

@@supernerfboy2486 According to The Bloodhorse Magazine "Top 100 U.S. Racehorses of the XX Century List" Alysheba (1984 - 2009) is ranked in number 42 position. 26 starts, 11 victories, 8 seconds, 2 thirds and U.S. $ 6.679.642 earned. U.S. Champion Three Year-old Colt 1987; U.S. Horse of the Year 1987; U.S. Champion Older Male Horse 1988 and inducted to The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 1993. What an extraordinary horse! Regards from a 56 year-old venezuelan citizen.

[@MIKIEEYEZ1975]

That’s what your WIFE SAYS ABOUT YOU!! 😂😂😂🤡🤡🤡😎