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Justify Is Favorite in Today's Kentucky Derby

by VOA News

   Justify was the favored horse for Saturday evening's 144th annual
   Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, the legendary Thoroughbred racetrack
   in Louisville, Kentucky.

   The race is the first leg of the Triple Crown, three races for
   3-year-old horses. Following the Kentucky Derby are the Preakness
   Stakes on May 19 and the Belmont Stakes on June 9. A horse must win all
   three to capture the Triple Crown.

   The Kentucky Derby, often described as "the most exciting two minutes
   in sports," is 10 furlongs, or 1¼ miles (2 kilometers), in length.

   As of midafternoon, Justify was the 3-1 favorite to win. He'll be
   ridden by Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith.

   Weather conditions were less than ideal, as steady rain began to fall
   around midday. The National Weather Service predicted up to one-quarter
   inch (6 millimeters) of rain would fall, with a high temperature near
   68 F (20 C).

   The Kentucky Derby has been held every year since 1875.