2017 Kentucky Derby

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143rd Kentucky Derby

The 143rd Kentucky Derby, also called the Run for the Roses, was held on May 6, 2017 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. It’s a Grade I race for three-year-old Thoroughbreds over 1¼ miles on dirt. Twenty horses competed, chosen by the Road to the Kentucky Derby series.

The weather was wet-fast with some standing water. The crowd reached 158,070, and the race was broadcast on NBC. The post time was 6:34 PM ET, with the race actually starting a bit later.

Always Dreaming, the post-time favorite, won the race. Jockey John Velazquez rode him for trainer Todd Pletcher. Always Dreaming finished in 2:03.59. Lookin At Lee finished second, Battle of Midway third, and Classic Empire fourth. Always Dreaming broke well from gate five and pulled away in the final stretch.

Thunder Snow refused to start, causing a chaotic opening when Irish War Cry veered inside, leading to some rough bumps. Despite the early trouble, Always Dreaming avoided the main traffic and surged to the front.

This victory gave trainer Todd Pletcher his second Derby win and jockey Velazquez his second Derby win as well. The winning ownership group included MeB Racing Stables, Brooklyn Boyz, Teresa Viola Racing Stable, St. Elias Stable, Siena Farm, and West Point Thoroughbreds. The horse’s name, Always Dreaming, was chosen by owner Mary Ellen Bonomo, who says the name reflects the idea that everybody dreams of something special.