In Louisville, Kentucky, the 150th Kentucky Derby unfolds with a dramatic start as twenty horses thunder towards the first turn, vying for prime positions. The roaring crowd of 150,000 adds to the spectacle, while the possibility of showers threatens to dampen the Churchill Downs dirt strip.
Scheduled for 6:57 p.m. EDT on Saturday, the race promises excitement beyond the early wagering favorites, presenting a wide-open field. Weather forecasts predict 81 degrees Fahrenheit (27 degrees Celsius) with a 60% chance of scattered showers and thunderstorms. Such conditions could favor six horses experienced in muddy or sloppy tracks, including top contenders Fierceness and Sierra Leone.
The race, covering 1 1/4 miles, poses a challenge for the 3-year-olds in front of the massive crowd. Fierceness, with jockey John Velazquez, will start from the No. 17 post, historically not a winning position in the derby.
Sierra Leone, the priciest colt at $2.3 million in the field, reflects the unpredictability of horse racing. Owner Peter Brandt expresses gratitude for the colt's journey to the derby and looks ahead to caring for him in the future.
On the other end of the spectrum, trainer Larry Demeritte's $11,000 purchase, Saratoga West, highlights the diversity of the derby. Demeritte, just the second Black trainer since 1951 to saddle a horse for the derby, reflects on the remarkable journey with his horse.
The stakes are high, with the derby winner earning $3.1 million from the record purse of $5 million. The race also features notable entries from Japan and seasoned participants like trainer D. Wayne Lukas and jockey Frankie Dettori.
Trainer Todd Pletcher, a two-time derby winner, acknowledges the nerve-wracking nature of the event, even after 24 years of participation.