To no one’s surprise, this year’s showpiece at Churchill Downs has faced a struggle to emerge from the furore surrounding it
Four months late and with the Belmont Stakes, normally the final leg of the Triple Crown, already in the form book, the Kentucky Derby will be run at Churchill Downs on Saturday with no fans in attendance and an animal rights group advising punters to “hold all tickets” on the race, to allow them to sue for damages should the winner fail a post-race doping test.
While there will be a handful of participants inside America’s most famous track, however, a crowd of hundreds, perhaps thousands, is expected outside, joining demonstrations organised by groups campaigning for social justice and in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.
Related: Racing suspended at Southwell after eight horse fatalities since 1 July
Thirsk 1.20 Wor Willie 1.50 Alba Rose 2.20 Dream World 2.55 Diamond Haze 3.30 Archaeology 4.00 Ispahan 4.35 Our Little Pony 5.05 Mr Orange
