Last year's champions -- jockey John Valazquez atop Animal Kingdom -- celebrate winning the 137th Kentucky Derby. The race is known as the "Run for the Roses," after the garland of flowers draped on the winner.
Crowd pleaser —
Last year's champions -- jockey John Valazquez atop Animal Kingdom -- celebrate winning the 137th Kentucky Derby. The race is known as the "Run for the Roses," after the garland of flowers draped on the winner.
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From demure to downright wacky, punters at the race come in all forms, with many donning a traditional rose.
Rosey characters —
From demure to downright wacky, punters at the race come in all forms, with many donning a traditional rose.
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Kentucky is the first leg in the Triple Crown, the other two legs being the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes. Only 11 horses have ever completed the treble, the most recent of which was Affirmed (pictured) in 1978.
Triple test —
Kentucky is the first leg in the Triple Crown, the other two legs being the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes. Only 11 horses have ever completed the treble, the most recent of which was Affirmed (pictured) in 1978.
Allsport
A statue of the first horse to win the derby, Aristides in 1875, now stands at Churchill Downs. African-Americans have played an integral role in the history of the race, with the first won by jockey Oliver Lewis and trainer Ansel Williamson, who was a freed slave.
History set in stone —
A statue of the first horse to win the derby, Aristides in 1875, now stands at Churchill Downs. African-Americans have played an integral role in the history of the race, with the first won by jockey Oliver Lewis and trainer Ansel Williamson, who was a freed slave.
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Aristides won in front of an estimated crowd of 10,000. Almost 140 years later, more than 100,000 people are expected to flock to Churchill Downs for a chance to be a part of America's oldest continuous sporting event.
Fans flock —
Aristides won in front of an estimated crowd of 10,000. Almost 140 years later, more than 100,000 people are expected to flock to Churchill Downs for a chance to be a part of America's oldest continuous sporting event.
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From roses to feathers, the race is just as well known for its fashion as its horses. Once a year, the international racing set descends on Louisville, clogging the skies over the city with private jets.
High fashion —
From roses to feathers, the race is just as well known for its fashion as its horses. Once a year, the international racing set descends on Louisville, clogging the skies over the city with private jets.
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While the jetset sip Mint Juleps from air-conditioned boxes, college students on spring break pack the infield.
Playful punters —
While the jetset sip Mint Juleps from air-conditioned boxes, college students on spring break pack the infield.
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The Kentucky Derby may be an international event, but it still has a very local flavor. Outside of the Derby and the Oaks -- the fillies-only race that takes place the day before -- most of the racing here is low-grade.
Two minutes that stop a nation —
The Kentucky Derby may be an international event, but it still has a very local flavor. Outside of the Derby and the Oaks -- the fillies-only race that takes place the day before -- most of the racing here is low-grade.
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