The starting gate will once again be full with 20 horses for the 142nd Kentucky Derby.
Even though the majority of horses have little chance of winning and over the half the field is typically eliminated in the opening quarter-mile, owners and trainers cannot resist the prestige of having a horse in America’s greatest race.
Here’s a look at some of our favorite Kentucky Derby images over the years.
This is a 1919 photo of thoroughbred Sir Barton, winner of the 44th running of the Kentucky Derby, at Churhill Downs on the first Saturday in May 1919. Sir Barton, foaled at Hamburg Place, Lexington, Ky., was the first Triple Crown winner in 1916. (AP Photo)
Black Gold is lead to the winner’s circle after capturing the 50th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., on May 17, 1924. (AP Photo)
Crossing the finish line at the Kentucky Derby is Cavalcade and jockey Mack Garner, with Discovery in second place with rider John Bejshak coming up behind him, at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., May 5, 1934. (AP Photo)
Eddie Arcaro washes his face in a bucket of water after riding Whirlaway to victory in the Kentucky Derby in Louisville, Ky., May 3, 1941. (AP Photo)
A potential derby starter, fighting Don (owned by Miss Gertrude Donovan of Detroit) looks out of his stable at a sleeping dog on May 5, 1945. (AP Photo)
Seven of the jockeys scheduled to ride in today’s Kentucky Derby sit on the rail at Churchill Downs on May 3, 1947 after taking part in yesterday’s Kentucky Oaks. Left to right, with horses they’ll ride: Steve Brooks, Star Reward; Johny Longden, on trust; Eric Guerin, Jet Pilot; Shelby Clark, Cosmic Bomb; Eddie Arcaro, Phalanx; Job Jessop, Liberty road, and Will Balzaretti, Riskolater. (AP Photo)
Willie Shoemaker waves his cap from Swaps as he stands in winner’s circle after capturing the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, in Louisville, Ky., May 7, 1955. (AP Photo)
Some of the mud from rain-soaked Churchill Downs track clings to faces of Kentucky Derby winner Proud Clarion and his happy mount Bob Ussery as they enter the winners circle, May 6, 1967 in Louisville, Kentucky after the race. (AP Photo)
This is a fish-eye lens view of Secretariat, ridden by Ron Turcotte, thundering past the packed clubhouse at Churchill Downs, Louisville, Ky., to win the 1973 Kentucky Derby May 5, 1973. (AP Photo)
Jockey Ron Turcotte in Winner’s Circle at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., May 5, 1973, after Turcotte rode Secretariat to a record win in the 99th Kentucky Derby. (AP Photo)
Eddie Delahoussaye in the winner’s circle raises a trophy in victorious salute after guiding Sunny’s Halo to victory in the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on Saturday, May 7, 1983 in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo)
Unbridled, with jockey Craig Perret in the irons, passes the landmark spires at Churchill Downs on his way winning the Kentucky Derby, Saturday, May 5, 1990. (AP Photo/Bob Daugherty)
With Lil E. Tee leads the field of the 118th Kentucky Derby heads for the wire at Churchill Downs on Saturday, May 5, 1992 in Louisville, Ky. Lil E. Tee was first, followed by Casual Lies and Dance Floor. The pre-Derby favorite Arazi finished eighth. (AP Photo/John Swart)
Pat Day reacts after winning his first Kentucky Derby on Lil E. Tee Saturday, May 2, 1992 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Ed Reinke)
The field from the ninth race makes its way around the turn as revelers swim in a catch-basin in the infield at Churchill Downs after a sudden downpour flooded the track and infield during Kentucky Derby day festivities, Saturday, May 1, 2004, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Jockey Edgar Prado aboard Barbaro wins the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., Saturday , May 6, 2006. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta)
Horses run past the Churchill Downs spires in Louisville, Ky., Friday, May 4, 2007. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Jockey Earlie Fires answers a question following a horse race at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., Friday, May 4, 2007. The 133rd Kentucky Derby will be held on Saturday, May 5th. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Eric Williams of Chicago wears a hat honoring last year’s winner of the Kentucky Derby, Barbaro, at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., Saturday, May 5, 2007. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Jean McKierman, left, and Charlotte Wilson, of Hot Springs, Ark., watch the sixth race at Churchill Downs, Friday, May 2, 2008, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
In this May 3, 2008 photo, track personnel try to hold down Eight Belles after the 134th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. Eight Belles was euthanized after breaking both front ankles following a second-place finish in the Kentucky Derby. (AP Photo/Brian Bohannon)
Calvin Borel rides Mine That Bird to a victory during the 135th Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs, Saturday, May 2, 2009, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/John Flavell)
Grooms hold horses being washed after morning workouts at Churchill Downs, Wednesday, April 28, 2010, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
A horse runs through some mud during a race before the 136th Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs, Saturday, May 1, 2010, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Rob Carr)
Trainer Todd Pletcher, left, congratulates John Velazquez after Velazquez rode Animal Kingdom to victory during the 137th Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs, Saturday, May 7, 2011, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Phil Shewciw reads a racing program before the running of the 139th Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs, Friday, May 3, 2013, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
Desirae Masterson, of Indianapolis, with her hat covered in a plastic bag to protect it from the rain, shares a mint julep with her husband, Ray, before the running of the 139th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 4, 2013, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
Spectators wear colorful pants before the 140th running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs, Saturday, May 3, 2014, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
A horse is walked after a morning workout at Churchill Downs, Friday, May 1, 2015, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Fans arrive for the 141st running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs, Saturday, May 2, 2015, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Horses are paraded in a race before the 141st running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs, Saturday, May 2, 2015, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
In this Saturday, May 2, 2015, photo, jockey Victor Espinoza celebrate atop American Pharoah after they won the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Victor Espinoza celebrates after riding American Pharoah to victory in the 141st running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 2, 2015, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Garry Jones)
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AP Images is the world’s largest collection of historical andcontemporary photos. AP Images provides instant access to AP's iconic photos and adds new content every minute of every day from every corner of the world, making it an essential source of photos and graphics for professional imagebuyers and commercial customers. Whether your needs are for editorial, commercial, or personal use, AP Images has the content and the expert sales team to fulfill your image requirements. Visit apimages.com to learn more.
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