Arkansas Derby : Proper Reality Wins, Gets Berth in Kentucky Derby

Jim Winn has been in the thoroughbred racing business for almost 20 years, but he has never been to the Kentucky Derby.

“I didn’t want to go until now,” he said Saturday. That was moments after Proper Reality, owned by his wife, shot through along the rail and won the $500,000 Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park.

Today, the son of Proper Reality will be on his way to Kentucky and the May 7 Run for the Roses.

Trainer Bob Holthus had nominated Proper Reality to the Twin Spires race at Churchill Downs in case the colt didn’t have enough earnings to qualify for the Kentucky Derby. “We don’t have to worry about that,” Holthus said after the colt earned $300,000.

Proper Reality was behind the leaders when the field turned for home. Jockey Jerry Bailey started to the outside, but Primal was rolling down the middle, so Bailey took the colt back to the inside.

“I followed the horse I thought would carry me the longest,” Bailey said, referring to even-money favorite Mi Preferido. I was worried, but I could see Mi Preferido coming back.

Gary Stevens, on Mi Preferido, said: “He broke a little bad and he didn’t fire. He just wasn’t himself today.”

Proper Reality, who paid $8.40, $5.20 and $4.20 as the third choice in the field of eight 3-year-olds, finished the 1 1/8 miles in 1:48 2/5. He was more than a length in front of Primal, who paid $10 and $5.80. Sea Trek paid $4 to show.

Notebook, the second choice, finished fourth after he and Mi Preferido, who faded to fifth, battled through the first six furlongs.