Kentucky Derby

Live 2009 Kentucky Derby Odds from Bodog Racebook

The Kentucky Derby is the most important race in the Triple Crown series. Every year in May a field of hopefuls enter the gate. A couple minutes later one horse crosses the wire first and is declared the winner. Only that horse has the ability to win the prestigious Triple Crown for the year. For the rest, the dream is over.

The Kentucky Derby is known as the "Run for the Roses." As mentioned, it's held every May - first week of the month - and it kicks of the Triple Crown series. It takes place at Churchill Downs, which is in Louisville, Kentucky.

In recent years, the purse of the Kentucky Derby has been doubled. It's now one of the most lucrative races in all of horse racing - $2 million purse. The Triple Crown races, like the Kentucky Derby, get the most media attention in horse racing. Media outlets that never talk about horse racing suddenly flock to the Kentucky Derby and the other two Triple Crown races to cover it.

Once a horse wins the Kentucky Derby, that horse, the jockey, the trainer, and the owner are vaulted into the media spotlight. Should the horse win the second leg of the Triple Crown, the media whips into a frenzy. The horse racing world is waiting for another Triple Crown winner, which is long overdue.

Perhaps the most famous Kentucky Derby winner - also a Triple Crown holder - is Secretariat. In 1973, Secretariat stole hearts across the nation. Secretariat was lightning fast. Even though it was some 34 years ago, many still remember the series of events like it was yesterday.

The Kentucky Derby is a Grade I race for 3-year-old thoroughbreds. The 2007 Kentucky Derby winner was Street Sense. He was a favorite going into the race and he didn't disappoint.