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WFMJ.com News weather sports for Youngstown-Warren OhioOwner of winning Derby horse still on cloud 9

Owner of winning Derby horse still on cloud 9

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - Valley businessman Bruce Zoldan is still on cloud nine after his horse Animal Kingdom beat the odds to win the Kentucky Derby.

The Mahoning Valley business owner couldn't be happier about what the future holds for his colt who stole the show in what's known as the "fastest two minutes in sports."

The colt was a 20 to one long-shot to win the 137th Kentucky Derby, but with 200 yards left Animal Kingdom pulled in front of the pack and crossed the finish line with ease, leaving no doubt, he's got the stamina of a winner. And as part-owner, Zoldan was there with friends and family to witness history.

Zoldan told 21 News right after the derby everywhere he went, "people were cheering and high-fiving."

Zoldan says he spoke to Eddie DeBartolo, Jr. before the race and the former owner of the San Francisco 49'ers told him if he won the Derby, it'd be like winning the Super Bowl, something DeBartolo did when he owned the team.  

Afterward, Zoldan called the win "a thrill of a lifetime for me."

He expects Animal Kingdom to run in the upcoming Preakness Race.

Zoldan admits there was a strategy to how Animal Kingdom ran the race, keeping in the middle initially, before making the move to become the leader of the pack.

Zoldan says he was "always cautiously optimistic" and knew "we had a well-built horse."

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