The Pennsylvania-bred colt "Smarty Jones" has won the Kentucky Derby, the first jewel in U.S. horse racing's Triple Crown, on a sloppy track in Churchill Downs, Kentucky.
Smarty Jones splashed his way past "Lion Heart", who had the lead most of the race, in the final stretch. "Imperialism" finished third. The track was muddy after a violent thunderstorm struck Churchill Downs about an hour before the race.
Smarty Jones earned the Kentucky Derby winner's share of $854,800 plus a $5 million bonus because he was undefeated when he won the Kentucky Derby. This is the first time an undefeated horse has won the Kentucky Derby since Seattle Slew in 1977.
The Kentucky Derby is the first leg of U.S. horse racing's Triple Crown series. The second race, the Preakness, is in two weeks in Baltimore, Maryland. The third leg, the Belmont,is June 5 in New York. No horse has won all three races since "Affirmed" in 1978.
Some information for this report provided by AP.