As fans began pouring into Churchill Downs early Saturday, May 7 for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), the early morning sunshine gave way to mostly cloudy skies and the possibility of rain.
According to the National Weather Service, an upper-level disturbance moving across Kentucky was expected to result in showers and thunderstorms by late morning or early afternoon. If a thunderstorm falls over Churchill, it may provide a brief but heavy downpour which could present difficult track conditions. The high temperature is forecast to be near 70 degrees.
Overall, it was a quiet morning at Churchill, with only a few Derby contenders going to the track to stretch their legs. Among those stepping onto the track were Florida Derby (gr. I) winner Dialed In and Santa Anita Derby (gr. I) winner Midnight Interlude.
Rain would not be welcome news to racegoers, since umbrellas are among the items prohibited from being brought into the track.
Meanwhile, in early Derby betting, Dialed In continued to be the lukewarm 5-1 favorite, followed by Pants On Fire at 7-1.