Kentucky Derby hopeful Bodemeister is washed down by his grooms after galloping on the track during early morning workouts at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky May 1, 2012.
Oh yeah, there’s a race too. Sure, the dirt of the track may only fly from hooves for two minutes, but as the first leg of the Triple Crown, the field—capped each year at 20 horses—traditionally fills up with a new crop of the racing world’s most promising hopefuls each year. The ample selection of 3-year-olds allows folks to choose a favorite from the field and take in the potential of an exciting finish. There’s also a little gambling going on, too.
