Always Dreaming eases to win in 143rd Kentucky Derby

Always Dreaming eased to a convincing victory in the 143rd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.

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Jockey John Velazquez celebrates atop Always Dreaming #5 as they cross the finish line after winning the 143rd running of the Kentucky Derby

Image credit: Getty Images

Watched by almost 170,000 spectators in Louisville, Kentucky, the race favourite picked up the lead around the half-way mark on Saturday and came in ahead of Lookin at Lee and Battle of Midway to win the race by 2¾ lengths.

The victory gave trainer Todd Pletcher and jockey John Velazquez – regarded as one of the most powerful combinations in American racing – their second victories in the race but their first together.

Horse Racing