Roses and Spires? Must be time for the Kentucky Derby.
Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt
Rains overnight left the track sloppy and closed to training.
Photo: Mathea Kelley
Photo: Rick Samuels
Track Superintendent Butch Lehr worked his magic once again, the track was fast by race 4.
Photo: Crawford Ifland
This was Lehr's last Kentucky Derby as track superintendent, as he is retiring. Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear (right) wished him well.
Trying for the perfect shot.
Waiting to join the party.
Photo: Rick Schmitt
Hey, look what we found.
The first race of the day - the dash for the infield.
Nobody gets my spot.
Nothing like a brass band on a warm spring day.
Photo: Skip Dickstein
Mary J. Blige mesmorized the crowd with her singing of the National Anthem,
Photo: Chad Harmon
and her outfit wasn't bad either.
However, Derby fashion takes many forms.
A colorful derby outfit at Churchill Downs on May 5, 2012.
A custom derby jacket at Churchill Downs on May 5, 2012.
Red is obviously their color.
A couple of well-dressed Bafferts.
Of course, the most important Derby accessory is the right hat
Photo: Courtney V. Bearse
Derby hats in front of the Churchill Downs Spires.
Derby fashion.
This is what happens when Derby Day falls on Cinco de Mayo.
Some unique derby outfits in the infield at Churchill Downs on May 5, 2012.
Only one word to describe this,
Photo: Dave Harmon
and this:
YUM
The games of the Derby.
Time for a little cornhole.
A different kind of 'game.'
fit for the whole family,
and even the governor.
Great Attack started the stakes action with an off the pace victory in the Twin Spires Sprint Stakes (gr. III).
The Churchill Downs Stakes (gr. II) was a battle between Shackleford (right) and Amazombie.
Photo: Kevin Thompson
It was Shackleford and Jesus Castanon that took the win, as Shackleford won his first race since last year's Preakness (gr. I).
Hungry Island went by Tapitsfly to take the Churchill Distaff Turf Mile (gr, IIT).
Thumbs up from John Velazquez after Hungry Island's run.
Groupie Doll dominated the Humana Distaff Stakes (gr. I), establishing a new track record for 7 furlongs.
Rajiv Maragh and Groupie Doll after their win.
Little Mike and Joe Bravo could not be caught in the Woodford Reserve Turf Classic (gr. I).
The happy connections of Little Mike
The starting crew is ready to handle the 20 horses of the Derby.
The trophies have been shined.
Bob Costas is making his entrance.
The horses are called to the post.
The roses are ready, and
the finish is in sight.
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