The Kentucky Derby is the most famous horse race in the sport and it is the first event to begin the Triple Crown. The race is back for its 149th running on Saturday at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky.
Much like last year, legendary trainer Bob Baffert will not be allowed at the track. Baffert is sitting out a second straight Derby because Churchill Downs Inc. banned him when his 2021 winner Medina Spirit failed a post-race drug test. The thoroughbred tested positive for an anti-inflammatory medication.
"I've just moved on," Baffert told The Associated Press in an interview before the Derby.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
"There's no more exciting moment when you have a horse that has a chance to win the Derby."
Baffert’s absence isn’t the only cloud around the event.
Churchill Downs launched an investigation into the deaths of four horses at the track. Two horses trained by Saffie Joseph Jr. collapsed on the track and died over the past week. Two others also died as a result of either racing or training. Joseph is set to run Lord Miles in Saturday’s race.
HISTORICAL AND MEMORABLE KENTUCKY DERBY RACES FROM 1875 AND ON
"While a series of events like this is highly unusual, it is completely unacceptable," Churchill Downs said in a statement. "We take this very seriously and acknowledge that these troubling incidents are alarming and must be addressed. We feel a tremendous responsibility to our fans, the participants in our sport and the entire industry to be a leader in safety and continue to make significant investments to eliminate risk to our athletes."
The Kentucky Derby has never been canceled. The event was postponed by World War II and by the coronavirus pandemic but has still gone off without a hitch since 1875.
Here’s what else you need to know about the gates drop at Churchill Downs.
--
Forte entered the Kentucky Derby as a 3-1 favorite to win. Todd Pletcher’s horse led the Derby qualifying trail and drew the No. 15 post. Forte won six of seven starts, including last month’s Florida Derby.
Last year, Sonny Leon rode Rich Strike to an improbable upset. The horse was an 80-1 long shot and pulled off one of the biggest stunners in the event’s history. The horse was bred in Kentucky by Calumet Farm and is owned by Richard Dawson’s RED TR-Racing, LLC. Eric Reed is the trainer.
