2010 Kentucky Derby: First-Ever Rainout A Possibility

The 2010 Kentucky Derby will be broadcast on NBC at 5:00 Eastern Saturday. Provided it happens, that is.

The Weather Channel speculates on the possibility that for the first time ever, the Kentucky Derby will be rained out:

While it’s difficult to pinpoint exactly where this band of heavy rain will park, several inches of rain may soak the Louisville metro through Saturday!
The heaviest rain on “Derby Day” was a 2.31” deluge that accumulated both in the morning and evening of May 11, 1918. Therefore, it’s possible Saturday could be the wettest race day on record! Perhaps the odds-on favorite isn’t really “Lookin At Lucky” but rather “Heavy Rain”.

But... Heavy Rain isn’t the name of a horse! Oh, wait, is The Weather Channel making a joke? Oh okay, cool, good job guys.

Personally, I don’t see a rainout. A few months ago, overhead lights were installed at Churchill Downs to allow for night races. The city of Louisville puts far too much stock into this race for it to be canceled outright. If they have to race at 10:00 at night, they will.

It will be interesting to see how the race organizers weigh the race itself against the health of the horses. Churchill Downs still uses a natural dirt track, rather than the synthetic stuff that’s more accommodating to weather. The dirt will be wet, making things dangerous for the horses.

These are physically one-dimensional creatures. As a consequence of selective breeding, their relatively brittle legs are especially prone to fractures. In many cases, if a racehorse breaks a leg, he has to be euthanized. If you’ve followed the Derby over the last few years, you know this.

So hopefully, the Kentucky Derby will be run, and they won’t have to euthanize any horses for its sake. Stay tuned to this StoryStream for weather updates, race results, and other news. Also, be sure to check in with SB Nation’s horse racing blog, And Down The Stretch They Come.