Encino had moved into the Derby field by winning the final qualifying points race for the Derby, the Grade 3 Stonestreet Lexington Stakes at Keeneland, on April 13. By winning that race, Encino boosted his Derby qualifying points total to 40.

USA Today wanted to know which presidents have made the trek from the Oval Office to Churchill Downs, so we checked in with our friends at the Louisville Courier-Journal about who showed up, when they showed up,

To try to hit the big payouts offered by exotics, we need to focus on horses that can withstand the pace and carry their speed the full 1¼ miles at the Derby.

No one can doubt that the horses are trained specialists. But it’s difficult not to wonder if they have any idea what’s going on. Deciphering the precise extent of any animal’s cognitive abilities is a tall order.

Fierceness, who will start from the No. 17 post, is the 5-2 favorite in the Kentucky Derby odds, while Sierra Leone is next at 3-1.

A 150-year-old horse race at historic Churchill Downs, with traditions and pageantry that haven’t changed much in a century and a half.

Trained by Victor Barboza Jr. with Emisael Jaramillo on the reins, Grand Mo the First is a true longshot according to Drew Dinsick in the Kentucky Derby.