No matter what Churchill Downs does, the first Saturday in May always will be about the Run for the Roses, the world's biggest single horse race.
Trainers, owners and jockeys can be voted into Racing's Hall of Fame, win Eclipse Awards and stand in winner's circles around the globe, but winning the Kentucky Derby is the biggest check mark on the resume.
It is a majestic event that every sports fan should experience at least once, although it has become extremely expensive. Lodging and tickets can average more than $400 apiece.
Over the years, it has become hugely popular in the corporate world and as a social event, attracting people from all over the world. But for those two minutes in the late afternoon, it will be about the Kentucky Derby.
Renovations can lower the twin spires, but the race goes on.
The tradition of trying to sneak alcohol into the infield to avoid the outrageous prices -- and getting caught by security -- will live as long as horses take the track for the Kentucky Derby.
The media can be moved from the once incredibly large press box to a new press box atop the renovated grandstand, and finally to an on-site betting facility.
The public simply doesn't care, and who can blame it, as long as the Derby is run.
To become part of thoroughbred racing's rich history isn't easy.
Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs was invited in when Arkansas Derby runners started having success in the Triple Crown race. For whatever reason, the pride of those accomplishments runs not just through Oaklawn but also its fans.
Since Smarty Jones swept Oaklawn's three prep races and won this glorious event in 2004, every horse that goes from Hot Springs to Louisville is considered an adopted Arkie-bred.
At least five horses who ran at Oaklawn are expected to be entered when the 20-horse field is drawn today, and while this is considered a wide-open Derby, there are good betting interests and a strong local flavor.
Arkansas Derby winner Classic Empire will be one of the favorites; after all, he was the 2-year-old champion and seems to have gotten past some problems in Florida earlier this year.
Oaklawn's top trainer, Steve Asmussen, is expected to have three entrants -- Hence, Untrapped and Looking At Lee -- who each raced at least twice at Oaklawn. Asmussen is still searching for the Derby check mark on his resume.
Sunland Park Derby winner Hence broke his maiden at Oaklawn in January and finished seventh in the Southwest Stakes before shipping to New Mexico.
Lookin At Lee, a son of 2010 Rebel Stakes and Preakness winner Lookin At Lucky, closed to run third in the Southwest and Arkansas Derby.
Untrapped, owned by Jonesboro businessman Mike Langford, was based at Fair Grounds in New Orleans before running third in the Rebel and sixth in the Arkansas Derby.
Langford has an uncanny eye for talented horses, plus Untrapped is also being reunited with jockey Ricardo Santana Jr., who has won five consecutive Oaklawn riding titles.
Sonneteer (winless but competitive in 10 career starts) was a maiden of honor in the points standings until trainer Todd Pletcher decided not to run two of his horses.
Royal Mo could be Oaklawn's sixth runner Saturday, but he needs one of the top 20 to drop out before Friday's scratch deadline.
The favorites, and still the horses to beat, are Classic Empire and Always Dreaming, winner of the Florida Derby and a horse who has worked sharply leading into Saturday's race.
There is concern that the high-strung Always Dreaming could lose this race in the post parade during the playing of "My Old Kentucky Home."
Late Saturday afternoon, a blanket of roses will be spread over just one horse, a horse that will have run himself into racing history by winning the greatest race of them all.
Sports on 05/03/2017