Kentucky Derby preparation at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky.

Published: May 1, 2024, 2:07 p.m.
As jockey Sophie Doyle holds him, Kentucky Derby contender Epic Ride gets bathed on the backside at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. May 1, 2024. Trainer is John Ennis. Owner is Welch Racing LLC
Polo wraps are removed from Candied after training on the track on Wednesday, May 1, 2024 at Churchill Downs
Exercise riders head over to the track to train on Wednesday, May 1, 2024 at Churchill Downs
Movement around D Wayne Lukas’ barn in the morning of Wednesday, May 1, 2024 at Churchill Downs
Sierra Leone sticks his tongue out as he is cleaned after morning training on Wednesday, May 1, 2024 at Churchill Downs
Kentucky Oaks contender Candied is cleaned after training on the track at Churchill Downs on Wednesday, May 1, 2024
An exercise rider cleans off equipment on Wednesday, May 1, 2024 at the backside of Churchill Downs
Steam comes off of a horse as they are cleaned off after training on Wednesday, May 1, 2024
Kentucky Derby and Oaks contenders Fierceness, Candied and Leslie’s Rose are cleaned up after running around the track at Churchill Downs on Wednesday, May 1, 2024
Trainer John Ennis talks to the media about Kentucky Derby contender Epic Ride on the backside at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. May 1, 2024
Trainer John Ennis talks to the media about Kentucky Derby contender Epic Ride on the backside at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. May 1, 2024
Kentucky Derby contender Mugatu on the works out at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. May 1, 2024
Kentucky Derby contender Grand Mo The First gets bathed on the backside at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. May 1, 2024. Trainer is Victor Barboza Jr., his first Derby. Owner is Granpollo Stable
Kentucky Derby contender Mugatu works out at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. May 1, 2024. The jockey is Joe Talamo
Kentucky Derby contender Mugatu works out at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. May 1, 2024. The jockey is Joe Talamo
Kentucky Derby contender Mugatu works out at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. May 1, 2024. The jockey is Joe Talamo
Kentucky Derby contender Mugatu works out at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. May 1, 2024. The jockey is Joe Talamo
As jockey Sophie Doyle holds him, Kentucky Derby contender Epic Ride gets bathed on the backside at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. May 1, 2024. Trainer is John Ennis. Owner is Welch Racing LLC
Each year, a local group of Louisville women gather on the backside near the third turn every Wednesday before the first Saturday in May. They bring a morning feast of champagne, muffins, cheeses, fruits as well as a few watered down jello shots Wednesday morning to watch the horses train at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. May 1, 2024