American Pharoah #18, ridden by Victor Espinoza, comes out of turn 4 during the 141st running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 2, 2015 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Image source: Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
© 2026 Blaze Media LLC. All rights reserved.
Story by the Associated Press; curated by Dave Urbanski
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — American Pharoah has won the 141st Kentucky Derby before a record-setting crowd at Churchill Downs.
American Pharoah #18, ridden by Victor Espinoza, leads the field to the finish line ahead of Firing Line #10, ridden by Gary Stevens, during the 141st running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 2, 2015 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Image source: Travis Lindquist/Getty Images)
Victor Espinoza was aboard for his second straight Derby win, and third overall.
The 5-2 favorite was in contention at the top of the stretch Saturday and pulled clear at the finish for his fifth win in six starts.
American Pharoah #18, ridden by Victor Espinoza, comes out of turn 4 during the 141st running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 2, 2015 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Image source: Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert got his fourth Derby win, and also sent out third-place finisher Dortmund.
Firing Line was second.
The time was 2:03.02 for the 1 1/4 miles. The largest Derby crowd ever — 170,513 — looked on under sunny skies.
This story has been updated.
—
Follow Dave Urbanski (@DaveVUrbanski) on Twitter
Want to leave a tip?
We answer to you. Help keep our content free of advertisers and big tech censorship by leaving a tip today.
Want to join the conversation?
Already a subscriber?
