The 2017 Kentucky Derby marked the 143rd running of this iconic horse race, held annually at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Known as the "Run for the Roses," the Derby is a Grade I stakes race for three-year-old Thoroughbreds, and it attracts a massive audience both in person and on television. The 2017 event was no exception, drawing a crowd of 158,070 and a television audience of 16.5 million viewers, the largest since 1989. This year's
race was particularly memorable due to the performance of Always Dreaming, who emerged victorious under challenging conditions.
The Road to the Derby
The field for the 2017 Kentucky Derby was determined by the Road to the Kentucky Derby, a series of qualifying races that began in 2013. Horses earned points based on their performance in these races, with the top twenty point-earners securing a spot in the Derby. Girvin led the pack in 2017, having won the Risen Star Stakes and the Louisiana Derby. Classic Empire, the early favorite, faced several setbacks but managed to qualify by winning the Arkansas Derby. Other notable contenders included Gormley, Irap, Irish War Cry, and Always Dreaming, who won the Florida Derby.
The 2017 Derby also introduced a new element: a spot in the starting gate was reserved for a horse from Japan, through the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby. Epicharis qualified by winning the Hyacinth Stakes in Tokyo, but his connections declined the invitation, leaving the field open to other competitors.
Race Day Challenges
The 2017 Kentucky Derby was run under "Wet Fast" conditions due to persistent rain leading up to the event. Despite the weather, the race proceeded with a full field of twenty horses. Always Dreaming, trained by Todd Pletcher and ridden by John Velazquez, was the post-time favorite. The race began with a dramatic start, as Thunder Snow refused to run and several horses experienced a rough beginning due to a chain reaction caused by Irish War Cry.
Always Dreaming, starting from post position five, managed to avoid these early issues. He quickly settled into second place behind State of Honor, maintaining a strong position along the rail. As the race progressed, Always Dreaming moved to the outside and took the lead, ultimately winning by 2 3/4 lengths.
A Memorable Victory
Always Dreaming's victory was significant for several reasons. It marked the second Kentucky Derby win for both trainer Todd Pletcher and jockey John Velazquez. Pletcher, one of the most successful trainers in the sport, expressed relief at securing another Derby win. For Velazquez, it was a testament to his long-standing partnership with Pletcher.
The win was also a first for the ownership group, which included Anthony Bonomo and Vincent Viola. The horse's name, Always Dreaming, was inspired by Mary Ellen Bonomo's tendency to daydream, symbolizing the fulfillment of a lifelong dream. This victory continued a trend, as it was the fifth consecutive Derby in which the post-time favorite won, a feat not seen since the late 1890s.
