The 150th Kentucky Derby is set to take place at Churchill Downs, with twenty horses vying for victory in front of a roaring crowd of 150,000 spectators. The race is scheduled to start at 6:57 p.m. EDT on Saturday, with a weather forecast predicting 81 degrees Fahrenheit and a 60% chance of scattered showers and thunderstorms, potentially favoring horses with experience on muddy tracks.
Six contenders in the field have previously excelled in such conditions, including early favorites Fierceness and Sierra Leone. Fierceness, ridden by jockey John Velazquez, will start from the No. 17 post, historically not a winning position. Sierra Leone, the most expensive colt in the race at $2.3 million, is owned by a group expressing gratitude for his journey to the Derby.
On the other end of the spectrum, trainer Larry Demeritte's $11,000 purchase, Saratoga West, showcases the diversity of the field. Demeritte, only the second Black trainer since 1951 to have a horse in the Derby, reflects on the remarkable journey with his horse.
The winner of the Kentucky Derby will take home a substantial $3.1 million from the record purse of $5 million. Notable entries this year include two horses from Japan, Forever Young and T O Password, aiming to secure their country's first victory in the race.
The 150th Derby also features legendary figures such as trainer D. Wayne Lukas, with four previous Derby wins, and jockey Frankie Dettori, returning at age 53 after a 24-year hiatus to ride Society Man. Trainer Todd Pletcher, a two-time Derby winner, expresses the enduring excitement and nerves that come with each year's race.
As the anticipation builds for this historic event, fans and participants alike are eagerly awaiting the thrill of the 150th Kentucky Derby.
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