Always Dreaming is the winner of the 2017 Kentucky Derby, winning a muddy 1-1/4-mile race at Churchill Downs by 2-3/4 lengths on Saturday. Just like he did in the Florida Derby, Always Dreaming stayed near the front of the pack for much of the race before shifting into an extra gear down the front stretch earn the win.
Always Dreaming wins the 2017 Kentucky Derby
It was a muddy race at Churchill Downs.
Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports
It’s trainer Todd Pletcher’s second Derby win. Jockey John Velazquez won his second Derby, too, the first since 2011.
Always Dreaming paid $11.40 on a $2 bet to win. For his victory he earned the $1.425 million share of a guaranteed $2 million purse. Lookin at Lee finished second, Battle of Midway third, Classic Empire fourth, and Practical Joke fifth.
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In the run-up to the race, Classic Empire was tabbed as the morning line favorite and given 4-1 odds. However, those quickly slid to 7-1 when betting opened on Saturday. He had a rough start before making a run toward the front too late to win. Always Dreaming took over as favorite at 4-1 at that time and moved up to 9-2 by race time. Irish War Cry remained at 5-1. throughout the day, then went to 9-2 odds right before the race.
The 141st running of the Preakness Stakes will be run Saturday, May 20, at Pimlico Race Course in Maryland.
In 2015, American Pharoah became the 12th horse to earn the Triple Crown, and the first in 37 years at that time.
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