Twenty horses stampeding 1 1/4 miles around Churchill Downs on the first Saturday in May. The Kentucky Derby turns 150 years old this year, extending its run as America’s longest continuously held sporting event.
The 2-minute race features a dash out of the starting gate, especially for the horses breaking from posts 15-20 whose jockeys want to angle them in to save ground. There’s a scramble for positioning going into the first turn before the field stretches out on the backside. The pace picks up heading into the final turn before the thrilling run through the stretch with 150,000 fans cheering.
6:57 p.m. Eastern on Saturday.
Saturday’s forecast is for 79 degrees (26 Celsius) with a 52% chance of rain. The last sloppy track for the Derby was in 2019, when Country House was declared the winner after a 22-minute review by the stewards. Maximum Security crossed the line first, but was disqualified for interference. The Churchill dirt strip has been listed as fast for the last four Derbies.
Kolkata Knight Riders limit Delhi Capitals to 153 in crushing IPL win
Director Romeo Castellucci drops out of Brussels Ring Cycle halfway through because of money, time
The US military will begin plans to withdraw troops from Niger
Maple Leafs, Jets, Oilers and Canucks carry Canada’s Stanley Cup hopes with drought now at 30 years
Canucks know the Preds in the NHL playoffs not who they swept during season
About 1,300 people from Myanmar flee into Thailand after clashes broke out in a key border town
Jordan Montgomery shines in his delayed season debut with the Diamondbacks
Councilwoman chosen as new Fort Wayne mayor, its 1st Black leader, in caucus to replace late mayor
University of Arizona student shot to death at off
Remember me? Original Real Housewives of Orange County star Jo De La Rosa returns to the show