Reuters: Street Sense, with jockey Calvin Borel in the irons, wins the133rd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville yesterday.

LOUISVILLE, Kentucky (AP):

STREET SENSE roared from next-to-last in a 20-horse field to win the Kentucky Derby, putting trainer Carl Nafzger back in the winner's circle 17 years after his first visit yesterday.

The colt broke two Derby jinxes to score the win under jockey Calvin Borel, who was 0-for-4 in the race.

In beating Hard Spun by 2 1/2 lengths, Street Sense became the first Breeders' Cup juvenile winner to return in the spring and win on the first Saturday in May, snapping an 0-for-23 skid. He was also the first two-year-old champion to win the Derby since Spectacular Bid in 1979.

While it was Nafzger's second win in three tries, trainer Todd Pletcher, who had a record-tying five horses, was skunked again. He is now 0-for-19 in the Derby.

Nafzger, 65, who is nearly retired from training, wasn't as emotional as he was in 1990, when Unbridled won for 92-year-old Frances Genter.

failing eyesight

Because of her failing eyesight, Nafzger called the race in her ear so she could follow her colt to the finish line.

This time, Nafzger merely wrapped his arm around 83-year-old owner James Tafel, then shook hands before pumping his left fist.

"I can't believe it, I can't believe it. This is the toughest race in the world to win," the trainer said.

Street Sense was sent off as the 9-2 favorite on his hometown track. Curlin finished third, losing for the first time in his four-race career.

Imawildandcrazyguy was another half-length back in fourth and Sedgefield was fifth. Circular Quay, coming off an eight-week layoff, was sixth for the trainer's best finish.