The 2019 Kentucky Derby is in the books. The 145th running of “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports” took place on Saturday, May 4 to officially kickoff Triple Crown season. Entering the race, there were some last-minute mixups due to pre-race favorite Omaha Beach being a race week scratch due to a rare condition that restricted breathing. That led to the Bob Baffert trio of Game Winner (5-1), Roadster (6-1), and Improbably (6-1) being the top three thoroughbreds in the field.
Track conditions for the Derby were muddy, making it a slower track than most of the day.
Maximum Security jumped out to an early lead to set the pace for the field. Bodexpress, the long-shot and late addition to the race, was hanging with the leaders on the outside. Maximum Security continued to lead the way on the far turn while Code of Honor found a lane along the rail to make it a race down the final stretch along with War of Will. However, Maximum Security was able to pull away in the final moments to bring home the Kentucky Derby win.
With the win, Maximum Security kept his unbeaten streak alive.
If you missed out on the “Race for the Roses,” we have you covered.
Full video of the 2019 Kentucky Derby can be seen below.
The full race video of the 2019 Kentucky Derby can be seen below.
With the first leg of the Triple Crown now in the books, the fun will continue on Saturday, May 18 with the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. The Triple Crown will then come to an end with the Belmont Stakes on Saturday, June 8 at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York.
Just one year ago, the Bob Baffert-trained Justify blew away the competition in the Derby, Preakness, and Belmont to become just the fifth horse since 1950 to win the Triple Crown.
We will have to see whether any of this year’s horses can duplicate that incredible feat.
2019 Preakness Stakes viewing details
Date: Saturday, May 18, 2019
Start Time: 6:00 P.M. ET
TV Channel: NBC
Location:Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland
Live Stream: NBC Sports Live
2019 Belmont Stakes viewing details
Date: Saturday, June 8, 2019
Start Time: 6:30 P.M. ET
TV Channel: NBC
Location:Belmont Park in Elmont, New York
Live Stream: NBC Sports Live