LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The favorite American Pharoah won the 141st running of the Kentucky Derby on a sun-filled Saturday at Churchill Downs.
American Pharoah, who was ridden by last year’s Derby-winning jockey Victor Espinoza, accomplished the feat in front of an announced crowd of 170,513, which broke the previous record of 165,307 in 2012. He completed the mile and a quarter in 2:03.02 and paid $7.80 on a $2 bet to win.
“I feel like the luckiest Mexican on earth,” a smiling Espinoza told NBC after the race.
American Pharoah and Dortmund, who came into the race undefeated in six starts and finished third, are both trained by the Hall of Famer Bob Baffert and were the most buzzed-about horses on the Derby trail.