The second largest crowd in Kentucky Derby history gathered on Saturday May 3 to watch America’s best 3-year thoroughbreds race for the million dollar purse, and this Oracle reporter was present for the festivities.
The weekend consisted of Oaks Day on Friday and Derby Day on Saturday. With many stakes races and the features being the Kentucky Oaks and the Kentucky Derby, 164,906 individuals traveled either down the street or across the country for “The Fastest Two Minutes in Sports.”
From hats and fascinators to mint juleps and million dollar races, the traditions of the Kentucky Derby have prevailed for 140 years.
This year, California bred California Chrome won the Derby with jockey Victor Espinoza and filly Untapable with jockey Rosie Napravnik. Napravnik was the first female jockey to win the Kentucky Oaks in 2012.
Here is a glimpse of the weekend below in a gallery.
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Kentucky Derby Day before the start of a race. Photographer: Marcela Riddick ’16
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On the morning of Kentucky Oaks Day, the crowd sports pink to support breast cancer awareness. Photographer: Marcela Riddick ’16
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The top of the stretch of Churchill Downs on Derby Day Photographer: Marcela Riddick ’16
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Women sporting their best hats on Derby Day as part of the tradition of the Kentucky Derby. Photographer: Marcela Riddick ’16
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The crowd stands as My Old Kentucky Home plays before the 140 running of the Kentucky Derby. The emotional tradition brings many people to tears. Photographer: Marcela Riddick ’16
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The crowd at Churchill Downs in Louisville KY, watching the horses running in the Kentucky Derby come onto the track. Photographer: Marcela Riddick ’16
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The morning of Kentucky Oaks Day as a race comes down the stretch. The crowd is sporting pink to support breast cancer awareness. Photographer: Marcela Riddick ’16
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The starting gate at Churchill Downs being set up for a race on Derby Day. Photographer: Marcela Riddick ’16
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The morning of Kentucky Oaks Day as a race comes down the stretch. The crowd is sporting pink to support breast cancer awareness. Photographer: Marcela Riddick ’16
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The crowd of people on Kentucky Derby day at Churchill Downs in Louisville,KY. Photographer: Marcela Riddick ’16
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People filling in the Churchill Downs grandstand on Derby Day. Photographer: Marcela Riddick ’16
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Two women showing off their Derby Hats at Churchill Downs. Photographer: Marcela Riddick ’16
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A stakes race going off at Churchill Downs on Kentucky Oaks Day. Photographer: Marcela Riddick ’16
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The crowd at Churchill Downs for the Kentucky Derby. Photographer: Marcela Riddick ’16
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The crowd of people on Kentucky Oaks day at Churchill Downs in Louisville,KY. Photographer: Marcela Riddick ’16
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The crowd at Churchill Downs for the Kentucky Derby. Photographer: Marcela Riddick ’16
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The crowd of people on Kentucky Derby day at Churchill Downs in Louisville,KY. Photographer: Marcela Riddick ’16
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Woman dons a red and black feathered fascinator. A fascinator is a chic alternative for those who do not want to wear a hat. Photographer: Marcela Riddick ’16
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The start of the 140 Kentucky Derby. Photographer: Marcela Riddick ’16
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The morning of Kentucky Oaks Day’s race comes down the stretch. The crowd is sporting pink to support breast cancer awareness. Photographer: Marcela Riddick ’16
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A women shows off her Derby hat and fashion on Derby Day. Photographer: Marcela Riddick ’16
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Racing fan gets the scoop on the horses in the Kentucky Oaks, with her feathered fascinator in her lap. Photographer: Marcela Riddick ’16
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The morning of Kentucky Oaks Day as a race comes down the stretch. The crowd is sporting pink to support breast cancer awareness. Photographer: Marcela Riddick ’16
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Racing fan studies the program before the next race on Derby Day. Photographer: Marcela Riddick ’16
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