The Latest: Celebs at Kentucky Derby include Sambora, Couric

March 2024 · 5 minute read

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — The Latest on the Kentucky Derby (all times local):

2:55 p.m.

The red carpet at the Kentucky Derby annually attracts a barrage of reality TV stars, athletes, media figures and other celebrities.

"Goodfellas" actor Paul Sorvino got the biggest applause this year as he serenaded the media crowd at Churchill Downs with a rendition of "My Old Kentucky Home" in his best operatic voice. He got a high-five from a fan and a kiss from his wife.

Bon Jovi guitarist and New Jersey native Richie Sambora shouted "Jersey in the house!" and Katie Couric went out of her way by walking into the crowds that stand behind a media row and snapping selfies with fans.

Couric says she turned 60 this year but can still rock a pink fascinator hat on Derby day.

Athletes who walked the red carpet included former Red Sox star David Ortiz, golfer Justin Rose, Louisville coach Rick Pitino and former NFL quarterback Warren Moon.

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2:50 p.m.

With four hours until the Kentucky Derby is run, Always Dreaming remains the 4-1 favorite in the wagering.

Irish War Cry continues to gather support. He's now the 9-2 second choice at Churchill Downs.

So far, bettors are shunning Classic Empire. The colt who was made the 4-1 morning line favorite on Wednesday is now 8-1.

Sentimental favorite Patch, the one-eyed colt, is 14-1, down from his 30-1 morning line odds.

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2:45 p.m.

Trainer Chad Brown won a second stakes Saturday on the Kentucky Derby undercard when Roca Rojo prevailed by a head in the $300,000 Distaff Turf Mile.

The race ended with a head-bobbing finish as the pacesetting Believe in Bertie and Roca Rojo hit the wire together. The photo awarded the victory to 6-5 favorite Roca Rojo, her sixth in eight starts.

A 5-year-old with international experience, Roca Rojo won her first two races in her native Ireland before joining Brown's U.S. stable last year.

Florent Geroux guided her over the mile in 1:37.53 on a rain-softened turf course.

Roca Rojo paid $4.60 to win.

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1:55 p.m.

A determined Paulassilverlining held off 3-2 favorite Finest City by a neck to win the $300,000 Humana Distaff, the first stakes race on the Kentucky Derby undercard Saturday at Churchill Downs.

The 5-year-old trained by Chad Brown has been a model of consistency. This was her third straight stakes victory, improving her record to 10 wins in 20 career starts.

She took charge entering the turn and was pressured in the lane by Finest City, winner of the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint last year.

Jose Ortiz guided Paulassilverlining over the seven furlongs in 1:23.68 over the sloppy track. She paid $7.60 to win.

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1:40 p.m.

If you've ever had mud splashed on your windshield, you know annoying it can be.

Jockeys face the same challenge on a sloppy track like at Churchill Downs on Kentucky Derby day. And they don't have the advantage of flicking on the wipers.

Mud is constantly kicked back into the faces of horses and riders when rain turns the dirt surface into a substance similar to pudding.

It's hard enough for a jockey to maintain balance on a 1,000-pound thoroughbred under ideal conditions. Riding while blinded by a coat of slop is nearly impossible.

Jockeys compensate by wearing multiple sets of goggles. When one pair gets dirtied, the rider pulls it down around his neck. The process is repeated throughout the race to keep the mud at bay.

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12:50 p.m.

Celebrity chef Bobby Flay has cooked up a winner on Kentucky Derby day.

His 3-year-old colt Caviar Czar won his first race on the undercard. It came on the third try for the Ireland-bred horse.

It was a satisfying victory for Flay as he was also the breeder. John Velazquez was aboard as Caviar Czar paid $8.20 to win.

The timing was perfect since Flay was already at Churchill Downs for a cooking segment on NBC's Derby telecast.

The chef known for "Iron Chef America," regular TV appearances and several restaurants is a longtime owner and breeder who has had success in the Breeders' Cup world championships.

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12:25 p.m.

The Churchill Downs bugler is playing hurt on Kentucky Derby day.

Steve Buttleman walked into a riser near the stage at the post-position draw on Wednesday and hit a shin, rupturing the quadriceps tendon in his left leg.

As a result, he'll be wearing a bulky brace over his white pants while he plays "Call to the Post'" at his 22nd Derby on Saturday.

He's set to have surgery on Tuesday.

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12:05 p.m.

Always Dreaming is the favorite in early wagering on the Kentucky Derby.

The Florida Derby winner is at 4-1 odds.

Classic Empire, the 4-1 morning-line favorite, hasn't generated much support yet. His odds have drifted up to 7-1.

The late-running Gunnevera is taking action. After opening at 15-1 on the morning line, his price is now 9-1.

The sentimental choice is Patch, the one-eyed colt. His story has captivated many fans and apparently their wallets, too. Listed at 30-1 from the outside post in the 20-horse field, Patch is 15-1.

The odds will fluctuate throughout the day as money pours in from fans at Churchill Downs and those wagering online and at simulcast locations.

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12 p.m.

Three races are in the books leading up to the Kentucky Derby, where cold and wet weather has forced spectators to bundle up and use colorful hats for function rather than fashion at Churchill Downs.

A third straight day of rain has dampened fans gathered Saturday under the Twin Spires in 48-degree weather. Track conditions are rated sloppy for horses slogging through the mud in a light but steady drizzle.

The weather is forecast to improve by the time the Derby is run around 6:46 p.m. Eastern time. Always Dreaming is the 4-1 favorite in early wagering.

Some women are covering their elaborate hats in plastic and wearing rubber boots to protect against the soggy weather.

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