Undefeated Barbaro stormed into the lead at the top of the stretch on Saturday and won the Kentucky Derby convincingly after a five-week layoff.
It also was a victory in the Derby debut for trainer Michael Matz, who 17 years ago led three children to safety after their plane crashed into an cornfield.
The two brothers and their sister were in the grandstand at Churchill Downs cheering the Kentucky-bred bay colt onto his sixth consecutive win.
With Edgar Prado aboard who had been winless with six previous Kentucky Derby mounts, Barbaro rallied from fourth on the back stretch to win by six and a half lengths and beat a full field of 20 three-year-olds — considered one of the strongest in years.
With Sinister Minister and Keyed Entry setting the pace, Barbaro settled in right behind and made his move around the far turn, just as he had in winning his first five races.
The Florida Derby winner had plenty left in the tank to hold off Bluegrass Cat.
Steppenwolfer was third, and there was a dead heat for fourth between Brother Derek and Jazil.
Barbaro becomes the sixth undefeated winner, following Smarty Jones in 2004. – Sapa-AP