Always Dreaming Wins Kentucky Derby in Slop

Always Dreaming has won the 143rd Kentucky Derby, pulling away from Lookin at Lee in the slop. Race officials confirmed the win minutes after Always Dreaming crossed the finish line first at Churchill Downs. The win gives trainer Todd Pletcher his second Derby win. Battle of Midway finished third in the 20-horse field. Always Dreaming covered the 1 1/4-mile track in 2:03.59. It rained on and off Saturday, making for muddy conditions on the track and puddles on the pavement. Always Dreaming was the co-favorite along with Irish War Cry at 9-2 just an hour before the race, reports the AP.

Churchill Downs officials say attendance for the Kentucky Derby was 158,070. That's the seventh-largest crowd in the race's 143-year history. Whenever there's a big crowd, politicians are sure to follow. Prominent politicians spending Saturday at Churchill Downs included members of Congress and the Kentucky General Assembly. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell was back in his hometown of Louisville, attending the Derby with his wife, Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao. (More Kentucky Derby stories.)