Street Sense came from the back of the pack to storm to victory

The Carl Nafzger-trained colt had just one horse behind him at one stage but Borel steered his charge magnificently through the 20-runner field.

Street Sense was on the shoulder of long-time leader Hard Spun entering the home stretch streaked clear.

Hard Spun dug deep to hold on for second, while Curlin ran a big race to snatch third.

Nafzger won the race for the second time following his victory on Unbridled in 1990.

He said: "He's a top horse. He's taken us everywhere we've been and he's taken us to victory here."

Street Sense became the first Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner to win the Kentucky Derby.

He was also the first two-year-old champion to win the Derby since Spectacular Bid in 1979.

It was the chance of a lifetime Winning jockey Calvin Borel

"I knew I had the ability, it's just that I needed to find the horse to get me there," said Borel.

"Once I got over to the rail it was pretty smooth. I knew I had him where I wanted. My horse has a tremendous turn of foot and he does whatever you want him to.

"I backed him up a little bit because they were going pretty good. I let them go on. I had an awesome trip.

"It was the chance of a lifetime and I'm happy to be here."

The steady rain that had fallen on historic Churchill Downs over the past two days abated overnight and allowed track officials to label the surface "fast" by mid-afternoon.

Street Sense's winning margin in America's most celebrated race was two-and-half lengths in front of a 150,000 crowd, which included The Queen who is on a state visit to America.