JUSTIFY, the big winner of the 144th Running of the Kentucky Derby, led by Jockey Mike E. Smith and trained by Bob Baffert, didn’t allow the “Wettest Derby Ever” – with torrential rains in Louisville – stop him from getting the top prize, Saturday, May 5, 2018. JUSTIFY became the first horse to win the Kentucky Derby without racing as a 2-year old since Apollo in 1882. And Mike E. Smith became the second oldest Kentucky Derby winning jockey.
“What happened today is what I have been daydreaming about all afternoon,” Mike E. Smith said during the Kentucky Derby Post-Race News Conference. “I just knew he [Justify] was capable of this. My job was just to get him out of there. And I did that part, and I figured the rest is up to him. And I know Bob [the trainer] and his crew already did their part. And he’s just an amazing horse.”
As a repeat Kentucky Derby attendee (this year being my 10th Derby), I was excited to attend both THE OAKS, May 4, and “The Most Exciting 2 Minutes in Sports,” the 144th Running of THE KENTUCKY DERBY, May 5 at Churchill Downs, the world’s most legendary racetrack.
The 144th Running of the Longines Kentucky Oaks Attracted 113,510 fans and the Kentucky Derby attracted 157,813 fans.
Enjoy a Few of my Favorite Oaks and Derby Day Photos!
Sonya Jenkins
Actor Blair Underwood and his wife Desiree DaCosta at Churchill Downs – Millionaire’s Row – (Photo @BlairUnderwoodOfficial – Instagram).
Beautiful Chapeaux and outfits made by Dr. Sandy Boyd (left) of Heirloom Designs Costumes with Christina (right) – at their first Derby – from Philadelphia.
Clyde from Minnesota, Tiffany from Los Angeles, and Cornell from New York attend at Churchill Downs.
For more #KYDERBY photos, check out Sonya’s Spotlight Instagram Page Here:
CHECK BACK FOR DERBY WEEKEND VIDEO compiled by Sonya Jenkins.