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Owner John Oxley gave all the credit to trainer John Ward and jockey Jorge Chavez.
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Outspoken earlier in the week, trainer John Ward Jr. was relieved Monarchos came through.
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Jockey Jorge Chavez felt this was going to be his first and only chance to win.
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More Features and Columns

Point Given ready despite a.m. incident
Bob Baffert was hoping for a quiet and uneventful morning, but got much more than he bargained for when a trip to the track for some light jogging almost proved disastrous for Point Given.

Sheik Mohammed: 'Watch for us'
Perhaps not this year or next, but eventually Sheik Mohammed al Maktoum plans to be in the winner's circle at the Kentucky Derby.

Pitino relieved that Hurley, not Laettner, has Derby horse
Pitino coached Kentucky and Hurley played for Duke when Laettner's last-second shot sank the Wildcats in the 1992 East Regional final. Saturday Pitino and Hurley meet again when Pitino's A P Valentine runs in the Derby against Hurley's Songandaprayer.

Dollar Bill favored in advance betting
Dollar Bill, listed in the Churchill Downs morning-line odds at 10-1 for Saturday's Run for the Roses, was the surprise 3-1 favorite at the conclusion of advance Derby betting on Friday.

Stevens back in Derby saddle
Jockey Gary Stevens will ride the favorite, Point Given, in the Kentucky Derby seven months after ending a year-long hiatus from racing.

Christine: Baffert lodging no complaints
Trainer's convenient Derby hotel treats him like a king, as do many Louisville establishments.

Is Point Given the next to wear the Crown?
It has been 23 years since the last Triple Crown winner, and the public has grown wary of worshipping false idols.

Meetyoouathebrig wins Derby Trial
Meetyouathebrig opened the Churchill Downs meet on a sunny, breezy Saturday with a solid victory in the Derby Trial.

Eddie Mac: Pincay's last chance for another Derby?
Pincay Jr has won more races than any other jockey, yet he is just 1-19 in the Kentucky Derby. Can the 54-year-old get his second this year?

Baffert takes aim with both barrels
The notion that two Kentucky Derby favorites are better than one was vividly illustrated Tuesday morning when Bob Baffert's highly regarded of Point Given and Congaree went through impressive back-to-back workouts at Churchill Downs.

Street Cry will miss Derby
Street Cry, the top Kentucky Derby hope of the Godolphin Stable, will miss the first round of the Triple Crown with an injury.

Finley: A speedy bunch
This year's 3-year-old crop is fast ... and they've got the numbers to prove it.

Eddie Mac: Origins of a Derby Superstar
Since appearing on the Derby scene in 1996, trainer Bob Baffert appears to have America's Greatest Race all figured out.

Kentucky Derby Contenders
ESPN.com's look at each of this year's Kentucky Derby contenders and their chances to win the roses

Finley: Derby 2001 a more intimate affair?
It's no secret Point Given and Congaree are set for KentuckyDerby 127, but who else will be at Churchill Downs on the firstSaturday in May? Bill Finley writes that the field for this year'sDerby will likely be small.

Congaree gives Baffert another ace in Wood
Trainer Bob Baffert already had the top-ranked Derby contender in Point Given, and now it appears the white-haired wise guy has the No. 2 colt, too.