Street Sense returns with record breaking glory

As the horses rounded the far turn and headed for the finish line in the Tampa Bay Derby on March 17, it was narrowed down to two horses that headed home together.

But only one horse could win.

Street Sense edged out Any Given Saturday to win the Tampa Bay Derby and stamp himself as the top of the crop. He surged himself to the lead of the recorded earnings of his crop of sophomores. In a tremendous stretch drive, the two talented colts hit the wire together, with Street Sense ahead by a mere nose.

This was his first race back since winning the Bessemer Trust Breeders' Cup Juvenile last year. In perhaps the gutsiest stretch drive that many have seen from such young colts, it was reminiscent of Alydar and Affirmed as they rivaled each other through the years. Perhaps it is the start of a rivalry. Either way, these two colts performed to the best of their abilities, not giving up until they hit the wire.

It will be interesting to see how these two fair coming out of the race, as well as the rest of the road to the Kentucky Derby. Either way, it was quite a day at the Tampa Bay Downs as the record for 1 1/16 was broken by .20 seconds.

Many questions were answered, though some were still left blank. One thing is certain, these two colts have earned their right to fight in the Kentucky Derby.