Mary Ellen Bonomo came up with the name.

Anthony Bonomo and Vincent Viola had the goal and helped with a plan.

Todd Pletcher knew how to get it done.

Always Dreaming did all the rest.

Advertisement

The lightly raced 3-year-old colt took the lead on the backstretch and seemed to have everything under control as he became the 143rd winner of the Kentucky Derby on Saturday.

He won by 2 3/4 lengths over Lookin At Lee, who could never really make a charge at him. Battle Of Midway, trained by Jerry Hollendorfer and ridden by Flavien Prat, finished five lengths behind Lookin At Lee in third.

It was trainer Pletcher’s second Derby win in 48 starts. He had two other starters in the race — Tapwrit, who finished sixth, and Patch, the one-eyed horse who finished 14th.

“I knew we had a big shot with this horse and I was hoping it would happen,” Pletcher said. “The trip unfolded not exactly the way we had planned. We knew for sure we didn’t want to be behind a wall of horses and that turned out OK.”

Advertisement

Always Dreaming, ridden by John Velazquez, broke on top but surrendered the lead to State Of Honor going into the first turn. State Of Honor kept the lead until midway down the backstretch when Always Dreaming, who had been exclusively on the rail, moved outside him and took the lead and returned to the rail.

The first quarter went in 22.70 seconds and the half mile in 46.53 as the crowd of 158,070 cheered.

Battle Of Midway and Irish War Cry went when Always Dreaming moved but never headed him. Entering the homestretch Always Dreaming found his stride and it was clear he wasn’t going to be caught on the muddy Churchill Downs surface.

Even though Always Dreaming was the favorite in the 1 1/4-mile race, the lack of a true superhorse brought better-than-average payoffs.

Always Dreaming paid $11.40 to win, $7.20 to place and $5.80 to show. Lookin At Lee paid $20.20 and $15.20. Battle Of Midway paid $20.80.

Classic Empire, the morning-line favorite, finished fourth. Another heavily bet colt, McCraken, was eighth. Second-favorite Irish War Cry was 10th.

The other California-based horses besides Battle Of Midway were Gormley (9th), Sonneteer (16th) and Irap (18th).

“This is the best horse Todd and I have ever come to the Kentucky Derby with,” Velazquez said. “Nothing against all the others, but this was the best horse. I got a good position early and then he relaxed. When we hit the quarter pole, I asked him and he responded. He did it himself from there.”

Advertisement

Always Dreaming hadn’t run a stakes race until he won the Florida Derby. In fact, he had won only in Florida, winning a race at Tampa Bay Downs and another at Gulfstream. His career started with third at Belmont and a second at Saratoga.

“Mr. Bonomo, Mr. Viola and all of us had talked about a game plan a long time ago, back before we decided to run him in a maiden race in Tampa,” Pletcher said. “We were going there with a plan of, hopefully, ending up here,”

1 / 13 A woman enters Churchill Downs for the 143rd Kentucky Derby. (Gregory Shamus / Getty Images) 2 / 13 A woman at the 143rd Kentucky Derby sports a hat that includes a traditional mint julep cup. (Patrick Smith / Getty Images) 3 / 13 Two women look toward the track from the Chuchill Downs grandstands. (Charlie Riedel / Associated Press) 4 / 13 A woman checks her phone after arriving at Churchill Downs for the 143rd running of the Kentucky Derby. (Gregory Shamus / Getty Images) 5 / 13 A man arrives for the 143rd running of the Kentucky Derby adorned in colorful hat and beard. (Gregory Shamus / Getty Images) 6 / 13 A race fan wears a twin spires hat in the grandstand area before the 143rd running of the Kentucky Derby. (Patrick Smith / Getty Images) 7 / 13 A woman strolls down a walkway toward the grandstands at Churchill Downs before the 143rd Kentucky Derby. (Matt Slocum / Associated Press) 8 / 13 A woman navigates a thoroughfare after arriving for the 143rd Run for the Roses. (Gregory Shamus / Getty Images) 9 / 13 A woman wearing a festive hat poses for a photo against a backdrop of roses before the Kentucky Derby. (Patrick Smith / Getty Images) 10 / 13 Evan Fossmeyer and Yeah Helderman use a tarp and ponchos to stay dry before the 143rd Kentucky Derby. (Michael Noble Jr. / Getty Images) 11 / 13 Two women stop to pose for a photo at Churchill Downs before the 143rd Kentucky Derby. (Andy Lyons / Getty Images) 12 / 13 Light at the end of a grandstand hallway illuminates the face of a woman arriving at the 143rd Kentucky Derby. (Matt Slocum / Associated Press) 13 / 13 Among all the colorful hats at the 143rd Kentucky Derby, a stately black-and-white ensemble stands out. (Gregory Shamus / Getty Images)

The colt was bought as a yearling by Bonomo for $350,000 at the Keeneland September sale and Viola later joined the partnership.

But the story of the guys who bought him started long before that.

Bonomo and Viola were kids from Brooklyn who liked to sneak into Aqueduct racetrack with $6 in their pocket, begging an adult to place a bet for them.

“They would ask me how old I was,” Bonomo said of when he was 15. “I told them I was 27.”

The begging and brokenness have long stopped as Bonomo owns a giant malpractice insurance company in New York. He was recently a witness in a state corruption case involving the head of the state senate.

Advertisement

Viola owns the NHL’s Florida Panthers, among other things. A former Army Ranger, he was President Trump’s first choice for Secretary of the Army, but Viola withdrew his name when he couldn’t untangle some conflicts of interest.

“We’ve won a lot of Kentucky Derbies,” Bonomo said. “But never in reality. We just knew when we got together that something special was going to happen.”

Bonomo and Viola wear their Brooklyn on their sleeves.

Entering the postrace news conference, Viola yelled, “How about that Always Dreaming?” and started clapping.

Bonomo, trailing a few feet behind, pointed at Pletcher and said: “Who is that guy?”

At one point the microphone was turned over to Mary Ellen Bonomo to explain the name, and Anthony’s wife was briefly overcome with emotion before talking.

“I just always daydreamed,” she said. “And I said, ‘Why don’t we just name it Dreaming?’ Everybody dreams of something whether it’s a big event or special day, the birth of their child, winning the Kentucky Derby. … When this horse has its first baby, we will name it Keep On Dreaming.”

The next stop on the Always Dreaming dream tour is in two weeks at the Preakness. It’s a place where in the last 20 years, the Triple Crown dream has continued for 10 of the horses. It’s also where it ended for 10 horses.

john.cherwa@latimes.com

Twitter: @jcherwa

UPDATES:

5:15 p.m.: This article has been updated with details of the race as well as quotes.

This articles was originally published at 4 p.m.</s>Always Dreaming has won the 143rd Kentucky Derby, pulling away from Lookin at Lee in the slop.

 

Race officials confirmed the win for Always Dreaming minutes after he crossed the finish line first at Churchill Downs. The win gives trainer Todd Pletcher his second Derby win.

 

Battle of Midway finished third in the 20-horse field.

 

Always Dreaming covered the 1 1/4-mile track in 2:03.59.</s>LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) - The Latest on the Kentucky Derby (all times local):

Always Dreaming has won the 143rd Kentucky Derby, pulling away from Lookin at Lee in the slop.

Race officials confirmed the win for Always Dreaming minutes after he crossed the finish line first at Churchill Downs. The win gives trainer Todd Pletcher his second Derby win.

Battle of Midway finished third in the 20-horse field.

Always Dreaming covered the 1 1/4-mile track in 2:03.59.

Always Dreaming has unofficially won the 143rd Kentucky Derby.

Always Dreaming pulled away from Lookin at Lee in the slop to give trainer Todd Pletcher his second Derby victory at Churchill Downs.

Battle of Midway was third in the 20-horse field.

Divisidero always rises to the occasion on Kentucky Derby day.

The 5-year-old completed a unique hat trick Saturday - winning a turf race on three consecutive Derby undercards.

At 3, he captured the American Turf. This time, he scored a repeat win in the $500,000 Turf Classic, edging past pacesetter Beach Patrol in the final strides.

Divisidero saves his best efforts for the biggest day at Churchill Downs, going 2 for 10 in races run on other days in the year.

Julien Leparoux was aboard for trainer Buff Bradley as Divisidero ran 1 1/8 miles in 1:52.42.

Celebrity chef Guy Fieri patiently stopped to pose for selfies with dozens of fans as he walked just 40 paces to the wagering windows in the Turf Club, Churchill Downs' exclusive club.

It was Fieri's eighth Kentucky Derby in a town he loves so much he opened a restaurant, Guy Fieri's Smokehouse, six months ago.

"Louisville is so much more than just the Derby, it's a great culture of people," he said. "The people are the best. I shot Triple-D down here, it's the best place in the world. It has such a good energy," said Fieri, referring to his Food Network show "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives."

He was interrupted again by a fan begging for a picture.

"You bet you can," he said, again and again, as people lined up to snap his photo.

Once he finally reached the window, he scrolled through this phone reading texts from a friend he called the "horse whisperer," who sent advice on the best bets.

He settled on a series of superfectas and a wager on a horse with long odds called Fast and Accurate before starting the slog back to his seat, interrupted two dozen times by picture-seekers.

He also snapped a photos with Julian Edelman, the Patriots wide receiver.

Churchill Downs officials say attendance for the Kentucky Derby is 158,070.

That's the seventh-largest crowd in the race's 143-year history.

It's rained on and off Saturday, making for muddy conditions on the track and puddles on the pavement.

The weather challenged fashionable fans to party in multiple conditions, with moments of sunshine, too.

Always Dreaming and Irish War Cry are the co-favorites for the Kentucky Derby at 9-2 with an hour to go until the race.

McCraken is the 6-1 third choice.

Morning-line favorite Classic Empire is the fourth choice, tepidly supported at 7-1.

Every other runner is in double digits, including Patch, the one-eyed horse, whose odds have dropped throughout the afternoon. He is down to 12-1.

Whenever there's a big crowd, politicians are sure to follow. And Kentucky's political leaders flock to the Kentucky Derby, when the state finds itself in the national spotlight more than any other day.

Prominent politicians spending Saturday at Churchill Downs included members of Congress and the Kentucky General Assembly. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell was back in his hometown of Louisville, attending the Derby with his wife, Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao.

Gov. Matt Bevin spent time shaking hands and posing for photos with race fans. It's also a chance for Kentucky to do some business recruiting. "We have a whole lot of folks that come in, some of whom have a significant presence here, some of whom are interested in Kentucky," the Republican governor said.

Limousine Liberal survived a sudden downpour and a stretch scramble to win the $500,000 Churchill Downs Sprint on Saturday.

It was up for grabs in the final furlong with several horses still having a shot. The 5-year-old gelding trained by Ben Colebrook pulled it out by a head over Awesome Slew for a 13-1 upset as the skies opened up again.

Jose Ortiz was aboard for his second stakes win of the day. Earlier, he rode Paulassilverlining to victory in the Humana Distaff.

Fans are breaking out their ponchos again as Churchill Downs has been soaked by another round of showers before the Kentucky Derby.

The sun broke through the clouds early in the afternoon Saturday after a gloomy morning, allowing fans to discard their rain gear and show off their best Derby outfits.

But the rain returned late in the afternoon, prompting many fans to seek whatever cover they could find at Churchill Downs. Others sat through the rain, looking over soaked programs to consider any final bets leading up to the Kentucky Derby.

Red Sox legend David Ortiz emerged from the terrace outside the exclusive Turf Club, a bourbon on the rocks in hand, and pondered which Kentucky Derby horse he should put his money on.

"I gotta make some money. Mama needs a new pair of shoes!" said Ortiz, in a pinstripe suit with a feather in his fedora. "And she likes Christian Louboutins so you know it's got to be a lot."

Big Papi rubbed shoulders on the star-studded balcony with other sports legends, like Tom Brady, Wes Welker, Aaron Rodgers and Jerry Rice.

It was his first Derby, and his first trip to Kentucky. He said he's having so much fun he hopes it's not his last.

Other celebrities in the crowd at Churchill Downs: Larry David, Kid Rock and Guy Fieri.

The colt trained by Brad Cox is 2 for 2 since shifting to turf after losing all five of his races on dirt. He posted one-length upset in the $300,000 American Turf for 3-year-olds on Saturday at Churchill Downs in a race leading up to the Kentucky Derby.

Hall of Famer Mike Smith was aboard as Arklow rallied six-wide in the stretch to beat Good Samaritan. Arklow ran 1:44.64 for 1 1/16 miles.

He paid $32 to win at 15-1 odds.

Wild Shot rebounded from a seventh-place finish in the Blue Grass Stakes to pull an 8-1 upset in the $250,000 Pat Day Mile for 3-year-olds on Saturday at Churchill Downs.

Unlike the Blue Grass where Wild Shot set the pace, jockey Corey Lanerie kept the colt in second this time as Uncontested set the pace for the race in the undercard of the Kentucky Derby. Turned loose at the top of the stretch, Wild Shot sprinted away to a four-length victory.

The colt was bred and is owned by historic Calumet Farm. Trained by Rusty Arnold, Wild Shot paid $19.40 to win.

The time was 1:35.67 in the mud.

The red carpet at the Kentucky Derby annually attracts a barrage of reality TV stars, athletes, media figures and other celebrities.

"Goodfellas" actor Paul Sorvino got the biggest applause this year as he serenaded the media crowd at Churchill Downs with a rendition of "My Old Kentucky Home" in his best operatic voice. He got a high-five from a fan and a kiss from his wife.

Bon Jovi guitarist and New Jersey native Richie Sambora shouted "Jersey in the house!" and Katie Couric went out of her way by walking into the crowds that stand behind a media row and snapping selfies with fans.

Couric says she turned 60 this year but can still rock a pink fascinator hat on Derby day.

Athletes who walked the red carpet included former Red Sox star David Ortiz, golfer Justin Rose, Louisville coach Rick Pitino and former NFL quarterback Warren Moon.

With four hours until the Kentucky Derby is run, Always Dreaming remains the 4-1 favorite in the wagering.

Irish War Cry continues to gather support. He's now the 9-2 second choice at Churchill Downs.

So far, bettors are shunning Classic Empire. The colt who was made the 4-1 morning line favorite on Wednesday is now 8-1.

Sentimental favorite Patch, the one-eyed colt, is 14-1, down from his 30-1 morning line odds.

Trainer Chad Brown won a second stakes Saturday on the Kentucky Derby undercard when Roca Rojo prevailed by a head in the $300,000 Distaff Turf Mile.

The race ended with a head-bobbing finish as the pacesetting Believe in Bertie and Roca Rojo hit the wire together. The photo awarded the victory to 6-5 favorite Roca Rojo, her sixth in eight starts.

A 5-year-old with international experience, Roca Rojo won her first two races in her native Ireland before joining Brown's U.S. stable last year.

Florent Geroux guided her over the mile in 1:37.53 on a rain-softened turf course.

A determined Paulassilverlining held off 3-2 favorite Finest City by a neck to win the $300,000 Humana Distaff, the first stakes race on the Kentucky Derby undercard Saturday at Churchill Downs.

The 5-year-old trained by Chad Brown has been a model of consistency. This was her third straight stakes victory, improving her record to 10 wins in 20 career starts.

She took charge entering the turn and was pressured in the lane by Finest City, winner of the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint last year.

Jose Ortiz guided Paulassilverlining over the seven furlongs in 1:23.68 over the sloppy track. She paid $7.60 to win.

If you've ever had mud splashed on your windshield, you know annoying it can be.

Jockeys face the same challenge on a sloppy track like at Churchill Downs on Kentucky Derby day. And they don't have the advantage of flicking on the wipers.

Mud is constantly kicked back into the faces of horses and riders when rain turns the dirt surface into a substance similar to pudding.

It's hard enough for a jockey to maintain balance on a 1,000-pound thoroughbred under ideal conditions. Riding while blinded by a coat of slop is nearly impossible.

Jockeys compensate by wearing multiple sets of goggles. When one pair gets dirtied, the rider pulls it down around his neck. The process is repeated throughout the race to keep the mud at bay.

Celebrity chef Bobby Flay has cooked up a winner on Kentucky Derby day.

His 3-year-old colt Caviar Czar won his first race on the undercard. It came on the third try for the Ireland-bred horse.

It was a satisfying victory for Flay as he was also the breeder. John Velazquez was aboard as Caviar Czar paid $8.20 to win.

The timing was perfect since Flay was already at Churchill Downs for a cooking segment on NBC's Derby telecast.

The chef known for "Iron Chef America," regular TV appearances and several restaurants is a longtime owner and breeder who has had success in the Breeders' Cup world championships.

The Churchill Downs bugler is playing hurt on Kentucky Derby day.

Steve Buttleman walked into a riser near the stage at the post-position draw on Wednesday and hit a shin, rupturing the quadriceps tendon in his left leg.

As a result, he'll be wearing a bulky brace over his white pants while he plays "Call to the Post'" at his 22nd Derby on Saturday.

He's set to have surgery on Tuesday.

Always Dreaming is the favorite in early wagering on the Kentucky Derby.

The Florida Derby winner is at 4-1 odds.

Classic Empire, the 4-1 morning-line favorite, hasn't generated much support yet. His odds have drifted up to 7-1.

The late-running Gunnevera is taking action. After opening at 15-1 on the morning line, his price is now 9-1.

The sentimental choice is Patch, the one-eyed colt. His story has captivated many fans and apparently their wallets, too. Listed at 30-1 from the outside post in the 20-horse field, Patch is 15-1.

The odds will fluctuate throughout the day as money pours in from fans at Churchill Downs and those wagering online and at simulcast locations.

Three races are in the books leading up to the Kentucky Derby, where cold and wet weather has forced spectators to bundle up and use colorful hats for function rather than fashion at Churchill Downs.

A third straight day of rain has dampened fans gathered Saturday under the Twin Spires in 48-degree weather. Track conditions are rated sloppy for horses slogging through the mud in a light but steady drizzle.

The weather is forecast to improve by the time the Derby is run around 6:46 p.m. Eastern time. Always Dreaming is the 4-1 favorite in early wagering.

Some women are covering their elaborate hats in plastic and wearing rubber boots to protect against the soggy weather.

Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.</s>(AP) — Always Dreaming has won the 143rd Kentucky Derby, pulling away from Lookin at Lee in the slop.

Race officials confirmed the win for Always Dreaming minutes after he crossed the finish line first at Churchill Downs. The win gives trainer Todd Pletcher his second Derby win.

Battle of Midway finished third in the 20-horse field.

Always Dreaming covered the 1 1/4-mile track in 2:03.59.

Always Dreaming overtook early favorite Classic Empire as the betting choice on Saturday morning, briefly sharing that status with Irish War Cry before holding on entering the gate.

Starting from the No. 5 post position, the 9-2 favorite made his push on the backstretch into the lead by the far turn.

Always Dreaming began stretching it out from there to win by 2 3/4 lengths over long shot Lookin At Lee, with Battle of Midway five lengths back.

Always Dreaming paid $11.40, $7.20 and $5.80. Lookin At Lee returned $26.60 and $15.20, while Battle of Midway paid $20.80.</s>Always Dreaming splashed through the slop to win the Kentucky Derby by 2 lengths on Saturday, giving trainer Todd Pletcher and jockey John Velazquez their second victories in the race but their first together.Pletcher and Velazquez have teamed up often over the years and are the sport's leading money winners. On their own, they were a combined 2 for 63 coming into America's greatest race.Together, they were unbeatable on a cool and rainy at Churchill Downs.Sent off at 9-2 odds, Always Dreaming made it the fifth straight year that a Derby favorite has won, the longest such stretch since the 1970s.Always Dreaming was followed across the finish line by a pair of longshots: 33-1 Lookin At Lee and 40-1 Battle of Midway.Always Dreaming ran 1 miles in 2:03.59 and paid $11.40, $7.20 and $5.80.Lookin At Lee returned $26.60 and $18.20, while Battle of Midway was another five lengths back in third and paid $20.80 to show.Pletcher won his first Derby in 2010 with Super Saver; Velazquez won the following year with Animal Kingdom.Classic Empire finished fourth, followed by Practical Joke, Tapwrit, Gunnevera, McCraken, Gormley and Irish War Cry. Hence was 11th, followed by Untrapped, Girvin, one-eyed Patch, J Boys Echo, Sonneteer, Fast And Accurate, Irap, and State of Honor.Pletcher also trains Tapwrit and Patch.Thunder Snow, the Dubai-based entry, didn't finish. He broke poorly out of the starting gate and began bucking. He was caught by the outrider and he walked back to the barn on his own.</s>A trainer and jockey accustomed to success. A headstrong horse with a mind of its own. Together, they harnessed their collective talents to win the Kentucky Derby.

Always Dreaming splashed through the slop for a 2 3/4-length victory on Saturday, giving Todd Pletcher and rider John Velazquez their second victories in the race but their first together.

The New York-based duo has teamed up often over the years and is the sport’s leading money winners. On their own, they were a combined 2 for 63 coming into America’s greatest race.

Joining forces, they were unbeatable on a cool and rainy day at Churchill Downs.

“We have had a great relationship for a long time now, and we have won a lot of races together,” Pletcher said. “This is the one we wanted to win together.”

Sent off at 9-2 odds, Always Dreaming made it the fifth straight year that a Derby favourite has won, the longest such stretch since the 1970s.

He was followed across the finish line by a pair of longshots: 33-1 Lookin At Lee and 40-1 Battle of Midway.

Always Dreaming ran 1 1/4 miles in 2:03.59 and paid $11.40, $7.20 and $5.80.

“This is the best horse Todd and I have ever come to the Kentucky Derby with,” Velazquez said. “Being behind me for 24 years together, a long time for him to still trust in me and give me the opportunity, it’s not very often it happens in this business.”

Lookin At Lee returned $26.60 and $18.20, while Battle of Midway was another five lengths back in third and paid $20.80 to show.

Pletcher won his first Derby in 2010 with Super Saver; Velazquez won the following year with Animal Kingdom.

Rarely one to show his emotions, Pletcher admitted being teary-eyed behind his sunglasses.

Going into his 17th Derby, Pletcher saddled the post-time favourite for the first time. Much had been made of his 1 for 45 Derby record.

“It’s becoming a little more respectable now,” said Pletcher, whose 48 starters tied D. Wayne Lukas for the most in Derby history. “It felt like I really needed that second one.”

Velazquez used his colt’s speed out of the gate to get good position early in a chaotic start that saw several horses, including McCraken and Classic Empire, banged around. He steered Always Dreaming into an ideal trip behind pacesetter State of Honor, with mud flying in all directions on a surface that resembled creamy peanut butter.

“We got wiped out at the start. McCraken came and nearly knocked us,” said Canadian-based Mark Casse, who trains Classic Empire. “The track is impossible.”

Casse also trains State of Honor, who is Ontario-bred and owned.

On the final turn, Always Dreaming took command as State of Honor faded. Despite chasing a quick early pace, Always Dreaming was still full of run. No other horses threatened him down the stretch and Velazquez furiously pumped his right arm as they crossed the finish line.

“I got a good position with him early and then he relaxed,” Velazquez said. “When we hit the quarter pole, I asked him and he responded. He did it himself from there.”

Pletcher had his hands full in the days leading up to the Derby when the colt’s behaviour was less than a dream.

He was fractious in the morning, refusing to relax.

“I was nervous watching him gallop,” the trainer said.

Turns out the dark brown colt knew best.

He channeled his aggression into a determined effort on a track turned into goo by on and off rain before the race.

“I think he really came in here and knew it was game time, and he was ready to go,” Pletcher said. “The most important thing to do is bring the best horse to the Derby, and that’s what we were able to do.”

Always Dreaming earned his fourth straight victory, proving that his five-length win in the Florida Derby was no fluke.

By winning the Derby, he accomplished something his sire Bodemeister couldn’t do. Bodemeister finished second in the 2012 race.

Always Dreaming’s primary ownership is comprised of Brooklyn Boyz Stables and Teresa Viola, whose Brooklyn-born husband Vincent owns the NHL’s Florida Panthers.

“There’s no feeling like this,” Vincent Viola said.

Classic Empire finished fourth, followed by Practical Joke, Tapwrit, Gunnevera, McCraken, Gormley and Irish War Cry. Hence was 11th, followed by Untrapped, Girvin, one-eyed Patch, J Boys Echo, Sonneteer, Fast And Accurate, Irap, and State of Honor.

Thunder Snow, the Dubai-based entry, didn’t finish. He broke poorly out of the starting gate and began bucking. He was caught by the outrider and walked back to the barn on his own.

Always Dreaming wasn’t going to make any dreams come true but lucky exotic players had a very nice Kentucky Derby.

The colt that gave trainer Todd Pletcher his second Derby win also became the fifth consecutive betting favourite to wear the roses. It was not such a good day for other well-regarded runners.

Classic Empire, sent off at 6-1, started poorly and was immediately hampered by other horses, forcing him to come from 14th early. The Mark Casse-trained horse made a very nice run to get to fourth but could not progress any further as the outside part of the Churchill Downs track was not kind to horses who raced over it on Saturday.

Irish War Cry, who like Always Dreaming was sent off at odds of 9-2, couldn’t handle the sloppy going and ended 10th. McCraken, who was also sent off at 6-1 could fare no better than eighth.

That allowed some generous-priced horses to hit the ticket. Lookin At Lee went off at 30-1, producing an exactor payoff of $336.20. Battle of Midway finished third as a 40-1 chance, creating a $4,659.21 triactor payoff on a minimum 60-cent bet.

Classic Empire’s fourth-place finish completed a one-dollar superfecta of $72,078.40. And whoever had those four, plus 25-1 hope Practical Joke in the fifth spot, bought mint juleps for everyone with a $493,348.70 payoff.

As for Canadian-bred State of Honor, after setting the early pace, he faded to be the last horse to finish. Godolphin runner Thunder Snow was obviously affected by the Derby hoopla as he broke very slowly and had no interest in competing thereafter. - Richard Mauntah</s>Favorite Always Dreaming won the 143rd Kentucky Derby in front-running style on Saturday, giving trainer Todd Pletcher his second victory in America’s greatest horse race.

Always Dreaming, the Florida Derby winner, contested a hot pace set by State of Honor through a blazing first quarter in 22.70 seconds and a half mile in 46.53.

But on a sloppy track that was favoring speed and the rail all day, jockey John Velazquez pushed Always Dreaming to the front after six furlongs and opened up daylight on the field turning for home. He finished two lengths in front of long-shot closer Lookin at Lee, who went off at 33-to-1. Another longshot, Battle of Midway, finished third.

Always Dreaming, who went off at 9-to-2 odds, becomes the fifth straight favorite to win the Kentucky Derby.</s>In big money race after big money race, the combination of trainer Todd Pletcher and jockey John Velazquez has been powerful across the country for nearly two decades. Now, their partnership has claimed the ultimate prize.

Always Dreaming, who didn’t break his maiden until Jan. 25 but showed his talent in Florida this spring with a series of stunning performances, delivered a powerful victory in the 143rd Kentucky Derby on Saturday, splashing through the Churchill Downs stretch 2 3/4 lengths in front of 33-to-1 longshot Lookin At Lee.

Though it was the second Derby victory for both Pletcher and Velazquez, winning it as a team was a long time coming.

“It’s very special,” said the 46-year old Velazquez, who won the 2011 Kentucky Derby on Animal Kingdom. “With all the success we’ve had in the past, winning important races, missing this one is definitely a big one. We’ve been 24 years together, something like that, and for him to still trust in me and give me an opportunity, it doesn’t happen often in this business.”

For Pletcher, this Kentucky Derby victory is a different kind of validation. Though he’s won seven Eclipse Awards as the nation’s top trainer and his barn annually leads the nation in earnings, his record in this race had become something of a burden. Before Saturday, Pletcher had sent 45 horses to the gate over 16 years, most of them regally bred and even more insanely hyped. Given all the high-priced horse flesh in his barn, it was viewed as a bit of a disappointment that his only Kentucky Derby victory came with Super Saver in 2010.

“I felt like I really needed that second one,” Pletcher said. “I don’t think I’m any better trainer than I was an hour ago, but I felt like another one would solidify it. The first was extra special and I have a tremendous respect for how difficult it is to win, but we needed another one as a team to put it together.”

Always Dreaming, who went off at 4.70-to-1, became the fifth straight betting favorite to win the Kentucky Derby. Though the final time was a relatively slow 2:03.59 on a sloppy track, Always Dreaming sat second off a fast pace through the first half mile, took the lead heading into the far turn and impressively opened up when Velazquez asked him to accelerate.

While other horses who pressed the pace faded badly in the stretch, Always Dreaming finished with authority and heads to the Preakness in two weeks looking like a strong favorite to take that race as well. If he can win in Baltimore, he’ll give his Brooklyn born-and-bred owners the thrill of a lifetime, going for the Triple Crown in front of their home crowd in New York.

“This is the greatest feeling,” said Florida Panthers owner Vincent Viola, who co-owns the horse with lifelong friend Anthony Bonomo. “We represent everybody who went to the racetrack for the first time with their dads and were astonished by the brilliance of these equine athletes and never fell out of love with the sport.”

It’s rare that a horse who started on the Kentucky Derby trail as late as Always Dreaming can get to the top so quickly. But from the moment he arrived in Pletcher’s barn from a winter freshening, he showed the talent to justify pointing him to this race. When he won the Florida Derby on April 1 by a commanding five lengths, the question wasn’t talent but whether he would have the experience to handle the 20-horse field and the fast pace.

Having Velazquez as a passenger helped significantly in that regard.

While other favorites like Irish War Cry, McCraken and Classic Empire were jostled at the start of the race and had a difficult time establishing position in the first quarter mile, Velazquez hustled Always Dreaming out of the gate and secured a favorable spot on the rail and in the clear.

“His first step, I wasn’t too happy,” Velazquez said. “The second I had to ask him to straighten up and once I got under the wire for the first time, I was happy where I was. I took a hold of him as soon as I got to the backstretch and he was really comfortable.”

Though Always Dreaming pressed longshot State of Honor through a very fast half mile of 46.53 seconds, he was moving easily. And by the time other contenders put in their bids around the far turn, it was too late, especially over a track that had been pounded by rain for the better part of two days.

Classic Empire, the morning line favorite, got up for fourth despite getting almost wiped out when the gates opened. Irish War Cry, who went off as the second choice, faded to 10th.

“It’s surreal,” Bonomo said. “I played the race in my mind all week and it came out the way I was dreaming about it. I guess dreams do come true.”</s>The Kentucky Derby has a new champion: Always Dreaming

The three-year-old thoroughbred covered the famed mile and a quarter at Churchill Downs in 2:03.59 to win by 2¾ lengths over Lookin At Lee (2nd) and Battle Of Midway (3rd).

It’s the second win for trainer Todd Pletcher, as well as jockey John Velazquez.

Under sunny skies but on a muddy track from an earlier rain, Always Dreaming went off as the co-favorite at 9/2 (along with Irish War Cry). Velazquez steered Always Dreaming to second around the first turn, then took the lead on the backstretch, and from there cruised to victory.

Irish War Cry made a move down the stretch, but faded to 10th, allowing long shots Lookin At Lee (31-1) to place and Battle of Midway (37-1) to show.

This year’s Derby was one of the most wide-open in recent memory. Famed trainer Bob Baffert, winner of four Derbies, had no horse entered into the race. And there was no consensus pre-race favorite, no American Pharaoh — the 2015 winner who captured the first Triple Crown in 37 years — to grab the betting public’s imagination.

But after dominating Saturday’s field at the Derby, Always Dreaming will head to the Preakness Stakes on May 20 as a clear favorite, seemingly with potential to become the second Triple Crown winner in three years.

As always, the Derby featured the usual eclectic band of celebrities, including David Ortiz and Tom Brady:

… and, of course, the hats:

____

 Jay Busbee is a writer for Yahoo Sports and the author of EARNHARDT NATION, on sale now at Amazon or wherever books are sold. Contact him at jay.busbee@yahoo.com or find him on Twitter or on Facebook.</s>The 2017 Kentucky Derby race, like every year, is only two minutes — and what happens after the race is sometimes unexpected. From big gold rings to having the best of the weird Kentucky Derby hats put permanently on display, there are odd things about this paramount horse race that fans may not know.

If you think that the party is over for Louisville when the Kentucky Derby winners are finished celebrating, that is hardly the case. Since most of Louisville is too busy working to celebrate with tourists for the Kentucky Derby, their celebrations come the day after.

For example, within a mile of Churchill Downs, the Monnik Beer Co., is having a Kentucky Derby “comedown” party on Sunday, May 7. Advertising on Facebook, Monnik says their post-Derby party is here to “bring you back down to earth” after the “roses have been won, your winning ticket cashed in, and post-Derby mimosas have been imbibed.”

Also within a couple of miles of Churchill Downs, Haymarket Whiskey Bar in Downtown Louisville is having their weekly Sunday Service DJ night on May 7. Instead of focusing on tourists visiting for the 2017 Kentucky Derby, Haymarket focuses on “serving the servers” (free pizza and pinball) and they promise to be “yacht rock free.”

Post-Kentucky Derby parties aside, what people might not know about are the weird things that happen with the Kentucky Derby horses, the fans, and their owners after they win the big race.

For instance, most people love NYC Fashion Week, but might not immediately imagine an event where it would be appropriate to wear something wild straight from the runway.

Alternatively, it is clear from years of social media posts that the Kentucky Derby creates the occasion for anyone that finally wants to wear that one weird outfit that was designed by an artist.

For this reason, Kentucky Derby fashion is a bigger deal than most outsiders realize, and few horse racing fans might be aware that the coolest Kentucky Derby outfits get put on display at Churchill Downs.

For example, when talking about the designer outfits and fashion involved with the Esquire Kentucky Derby party at his Downtown Louisville 21c Hotel, co-owner Steve Wilson told Courier-Journal about what happens to his own clothes after Derby Day passes.

As it appears, Steve Wilson’s stylish hats and outfits from Kentucky Derby celebrations of the past are put on display throughout the year at the Kentucky Derby Museum at Churchill Downs. The fashion display called “It’s My Derby” is open to visitors throughout the year.

Unlike other clothing displays in a museum, Steve Wilson explains that Kentucky Derby fashion is truly unique because he feels it is a time where he can step out of his “comfort zone” and “have more permission to push the envelope” with the styles he chooses.

In addition to having clothes put on display from the most fashionably dressed Kentucky Derby attendants, there are also a few surprising things going on behind-the-scenes.

For example, many horse racing fans are curious about the Kentucky Derby prize money, how much each winner gets, and how the money is divided up between owners, trainers, and the jockey. Although it says on the website that the Kentucky Derby 2017 had a $2 million prize, that is hardly what the first-place winner got in cold hard cash.

Instead, according to a CNN report from the 2016 Kentucky Derby, $1.6 million will go to the first place winner, and the rest of the $760,000 will be divided up between second and fifth place.

One weird bit of trivia most fans might not know is that the horse owners must pay to get in the Kentucky Derby. It costs $25,000 to put in the horse’s application for the Kentucky Derby and then another $25,000 when the horse runs through the gate on race day.

Sadly, jockeys only get about $350 for their work as a jockey in the Kentucky Derby after they pay their agent and valet. If their horse wins the Kentucky Derby, they get 10-percent of the prize money and five-percent for third or second-place.

One other piece of weird trivia is that the Kentucky Derby prize money is called the “purse,” and it is not the only thing the winner gets.

While the primary focus of the Kentucky Derby is getting your horse a chance to charge the highest stud fees for the rest of its life, there are glamorous prizes awarded later in the year, as well.

A good example is the huge 14K gold ring that the Kentucky Derby winning team gets each year. Made by the high school graduation class ring company Herff Jones for the past ten years, each owner, jockey and trainer that took part in winning the Kentucky Derby gets a big ring to commemorate their win. The rings are customized with the jockey’s silk colors and has the horse’s name engraved on the ring.

When Art Sherman got his Kentucky Derby ring in 2014 for his win with California Chrome, he posted a picture of the finished Herff Jones ring on Twitter.

For now, the owners, horses, trainers, and jockeys are still focused on the other Triple Crown races like the Preakness held on May 20 and the Belmont Stakes held on June 10.

Since Always Dreaming is the winner of the first of the Triple Crown races, all eyes will be on Always Dreaming to win the other two races of the Triple Crown.

Always Dreaming might end up being another Triple Crown winner like American Pharoah, but he could also go on to another career. For example, Horse Network reported in late 2016 that hundreds of thoroughbreds like the ones that compete in the Kentucky Derby went on to have a second career in equestrian dressage competitions.

In October 2016, over 300 former thoroughbred racehorses showed off at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington after being re-trained for nine months. The national symposium is a joint effort of the Retired Racehorse Project and Thoroughbred Charities of America.

Kentucky Derby owners, trainers, and jockeys are also known to use their fame to be particularly charitable in unexpected ways.

For example, CBS Sports reported in June 2015 that, after American Pharoah won the final leg of the Triple Crown after a weird 37-year drought, his jockey, Victor Espinoza, and his trainer, Bob Baffert, used their international spotlight to state they were donating their 2015 Belmont Stakes winnings to charity.

Jockey Victor Espinoza donated to an undisclosed California cancer treatment center. Famed Kentucky Derby trainer, Bob Baffert, donated $50,000 each to the California Retirement Management Account, the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund, and a retired horse facility called the Old Friends Farm.

About the importance of giving money to charities that care for older horses, Bob Baffert stated the following after winning the 2015 Belmont Stakes and the Triple Crown.

For anyone that is looking for Always Dreaming memorabilia or collectibles, stay tuned to the various charities that feature Kentucky Derby winners. For example, according to Paulick Report, it is common for Kentucky Derby winners to donate jockey silks, bridles and other personal items that were part of winning the race.

In November 2016, an auction to benefit Thoroughbred Charities of America featured Kentucky Derby 2014 winner, California Chrome. The jockey silks fetched $13,000 during a live auction and California Chrome’s Kentucky Derby bridle raised over $3,000 for the TCA charity.
Always Dreaming wins the 143rd running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. Looking at Lee finished second and Battle of Midway was third.