And they are finished! Glamorous race-goers and man dressed as FRED FLINTSTONE arrive at Churchill Downs for Kentucky Derby, with Tapit Trice tipped to win iconic event
- The annual horse race in Louisville, Kentucky, takes place later today and draws some 155,000 spectators
- Photos taken by race goers on the Churchill Downs course show some of the weird and wacky outfits on display
- It will be the 149th running of the popular race, the first leg of the American Triple Crown
Glamorous racegoers are pictured showing up for the Kentucky Derby ahead of the race’s 149th running later today.
While the majority of revelers went for a more traditional dress code, other individuals opted for costumes and hilarious headgear.
A man was seen wearing a Fred Flintstone outfit, as well as a large blue furry hat with horns sticking out.
Two men in purple and pink tinted suits were spotted wearing horse heads instead of hats at the racetrack.
Lewis Grant wearing a Flintstones suit in the Churchill Downs infield on Derby Day
Spectators pose for photos ahead of the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs
Breast and ovarian cancer survivors march on the turf, a tradition on the ground
Hats are an important part of the event and have become part of the history of the derby, which always takes place on the first Saturday in May every year.
As it stands, Tapit Trice and Angel of Empire remain co-favorites for tonight’s race, tied at 9-2.
Last year, Rich Strike was added to the field late and won the race with a shock 80-1 longshot.
After a few horses had to be taken out of the race, Mandarin Hero (21-1), Cyclone Mischief (31-1) and King Russell (32-1) will now run, and punters will keep a close eye on those longshots after the results of last year.
“Riders on!” is the Paddock Judge’s traditional order for jockeys to mount their horses prior to the upcoming race.
Since 2012, Churchill Downs has reserved that special honor for a dignitary or celebrity when it comes to the Kentucky Derby.
Last year, rapper Jack Harlow had the honor and earlier actor Jeff Bridges stepped in to take command in 2017.
This year Patrick Mahomes, two-time Super Bowl MVP and quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs, will receive that honor.
Garey Faulkner of Cincinnati, Ohio, arrived at the event wearing a particularly extravagant hat and outfit
Ken Smith of Eagle, Idaho was spotted wearing a particularly funny hat before the race
The rear end of a plastic horse protrudes from the back of its white hat
The race is also known as ‘The Run for the Roses’, as the winner receives a blanket of roses, which inspired this hat
Two men in colorful suits wear horse heads for hats
After the Kansas City superstar makes that call, the riders take off for the races in what has been dubbed “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports.”
The 20 horses racing in the Kentucky Derby must first complete the Road to the Kentucky Derby, a series of 35 races that take place at tracks around the country and the world.
Points are awarded to the top 4 horses finishing in each of those 35 races, and the 20 horses with the most points earn a spot in the starting gate in the Kentucky Derby race.
At the finish line, a $3 million prize awaits the winner and a place in the history books.
The race kicks off this year’s Triple Crown of races for three-year-old horses, followed by the Preakness Stakes on May 20 and the Belmont Stakes on June 10.