Always Dreaming Wins the 2017 Kentucky Derby
Always Dreaming ridden by John Velazquez staved off the competition to become the winner of the 2017 Kentucky Derby on Saturday.
The horse, trained by Todd Pletcher, came into the 143rd “Run for the Roses” at Churchill Downs in Louisville, at 9-to-2 odds.
Known as the greatest two minutes in sport, this year was no exception, as Always Dreaming completed the first stage of the Triple Crown in an attempt to follow in the hoof-steps of American Pharoah in 2015, who went on to win the Preakness and Belmont Stakes with jockey Victor Espinoza.
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Before the post time of 6:34 p.m. ET/ 3:34 p.m PT, Irish War Cry, Gunnevera, Always Dreaming and McCracken were the thoroughbreds to watch for.
Having been run every year since 1875, the 1¼ mile race offers up a winning purse of $2 million — but of course, the winning horse becomes far more valuable when sent to stud.
Among the celebrity owners competing for the Garland of Roses this year was Olympic skier Bode Miller, whose horse Fast and Accurate came in as a definitive underdog with odds of 33-1.
Also Read: Nyquist Comes From Behind to Win Thrilling Kentucky Derby
Harry Connick Jr. sang the national anthem before the crowd of 167,000 beautifully-dressed spectators, and NBC gave blanket coverage throughout the day.
The next race in the Triple Crown is the Preakness Stakes, at the Pimlico racetrack in Baltimore, Maryland, on May 20.
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