![The Kentucky Derby takes place at Churchill Downs on May 2, 2015 in Louisville.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/150429174959-kentucky-derby-tease.jpg?q=w_1100,h_620,x_0,y_0,c_fill/h_447)
The Kentucky Derby takes place at Churchill Downs on May 2, 2015 in Louisville.
![$1.425 million will go to this year's winner.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/150417103356-kentucky-derby-starters-gate-2014.jpg?q=w_2187,h_1458,x_0,y_0,c_fill/h_447)
$1.425 million will go to this year's winner.
![Victor Espinoza celebrates in the winner's circle after riding California Chrome (wearing a traditional victor's blanket of 554 red roses) at the 2014 Kentucky Derby. He will attempt to repeat his win this year with American Pharoah.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/150417103636-kentucky-derby-2014-winner.jpg?q=w_5022,h_3300,x_0,y_0,c_fill/h_447)
Victor Espinoza celebrates in the winner's circle after riding California Chrome (wearing a traditional victor's blanket of 554 red roses) at the 2014 Kentucky Derby. He will attempt to repeat his win this year with American Pharoah.
![Egyptian-American Ahmed Zayat, owner of favorite American Pharoah, has three horses racing in this year's Kentucky Derby. His horses have finished runner-up three times in the past.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/150417102526-kentucky-derby-ahmed-zayat.jpg?q=w_4896,h_3264,x_0,y_0,c_fill/h_447)
Egyptian-American Ahmed Zayat, owner of favorite American Pharoah, has three horses racing in this year's Kentucky Derby. His horses have finished runner-up three times in the past.
![Kentucky Derby hopeful American Pharaoh has a run over the track at Churchill Downs in Louisville.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/150428092244-american-pharaoh-horse-0428.jpg?q=w_2000,h_1125,x_0,y_0,c_fill/h_447)
Kentucky Derby hopeful American Pharaoh has a run over the track at Churchill Downs in Louisville.
![A race fan wearing a festive hat attends the 140th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 3, 2014 in Louisville, Kentucky.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/150417104140-kentucky-derby-rose-hat.jpg?q=w_2187,h_1458,x_0,y_0,c_fill/h_447)
A race fan wearing a festive hat attends the 140th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 3, 2014 in Louisville, Kentucky.
![Race fans wearing festive hats cheer prior to the 140th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 3, 2014 in Louisville, Kentucky.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/140916105825-kentucky-derby-crowds.jpg?q=w_2187,h_1458,x_0,y_0,c_fill/h_447)
Race fans wearing festive hats cheer prior to the 140th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 3, 2014 in Louisville, Kentucky.
![Race fans look out at the crowds.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/130504183845-16-ky-derby.jpg?q=w_2000,h_1125,x_0,y_0,c_fill/h_447)
Race fans look out at the crowds.
![A race fan wearing a festive hat and suit attends the 140th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 3, 2014 in Louisville, Kentucky.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/140916105218-kentucky-derby-fashion.jpg?q=w_1458,h_2187,x_0,y_0,c_fill/h_447)
A race fan wearing a festive hat and suit attends the 140th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 3, 2014 in Louisville, Kentucky.
![California Chrome, ridden by Victor Espinoza, crosses the finish line to win the 140th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 3, 2014 in Louisville, Kentucky.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/140604085416-california-chromer-kentucky-derby.jpg?q=w_4928,h_3280,x_0,y_0,c_fill/h_447)
California Chrome, ridden by Victor Espinoza, crosses the finish line to win the 140th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 3, 2014 in Louisville, Kentucky.