Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing

Mage roared from off the pace to win the 149th Kentucky Derby on May 6, launching U.S. racing's Triple Crown campaign as two more horse deaths on cast a pall on proceedings at Churchill Downs.

Rich Strike, an 80-1 longshot who only got into the field on May 6, pulled off a stunning upset victory in the 148th Kentucky Derby on May 7.

The colt, trained by Eric Reed and ridden by Sonny Leon, gained a place in the field when Ethereal Road was scratched.

Justify won the 144th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville on May 5, becoming the first horse since Apollo in 1882 to win the "Run for the Roses" without a start as a two-year-old.