The 2009 Kentucky Derby

Last Saturday, May 2nd, the 135th running of the Kentucky Derby took place at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. In an improbable ending, Jockey Calvin Borel rode Mine That Bird - a 50-1 longshot - to a huge victory, coming from dead last to win by 6 3/4 lengths. The Kentucky Derby is often billed as "the most exciting two minutes in sports", and Borel and Mine That Bird did their best to live up to that standard. Collected here are a few photographs leading up to the Kentucky Derby, and of the race itself. (29 photos total)

Kentucky Derby hopeful General Quarters rubs his head on his stall after his early morning workout at the 135th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 2, 2009, in Louisville, Kentucky. (AP Photo/Ed Reinke)

A horse and rider train in front of the twin spires during morning workouts prior to the Kentucky Derby on April 30, 2009 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. (Jamie Squire/Getty Images) #

A horse runs in the mud as workouts continue for the 135th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs Thursday, April 30, 2009, in Louisville, Kentucky. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) #

Trainer D. Wayne Lukas sits atop his horse as he watches morning workouts against the backdrop of a large tent set up in the infield before sunrise at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, Saturday, April 25, 2009. Lukas trains Kentucky Derby hopeful Flying Private. (AP Photo/Ed Reinke) #

Kentucky Derby favorite I Want Revenge is washed down by his groom after his early morning workout at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, April 30, 2009. (REUTERS/John Sommers II) #

Double Eagle Ranch farm manager Kelly Dennington casts a shadow on the barn wall as he waits for Kentucky Derby hopeful Mine That Bird to exercise at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, Saturday, April 25, 2009. (AP Photo/Ed Reinke) #

Farrier Adam Marshall works on a horse as workouts continue for the 135th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs Friday, May 1, 2009. (AP Photo/Morry Gash) #

Calvin Borel rides Rachel Alexandra to a victory in the Kentucky Oaks race at Churchill Downs Friday, May 1, 2009, in Louisville, Kentucky. The Kentucky Oaks is held on the Friday before the Kentucky Derby each year. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) #

Jockey Calvin Borel points in celebration as he rides Rachel Alexander #6 to victory during the 135th running of the Kentucky Oaks on May 1, 2009. The Kentucky Oaks is held on the Friday before the Kentucky Derby each year. (Jamie Squire/Getty Images) #

Hot walker Jose Herra holds Kentucky Derby hopeful I Want Revenge during his bath after his morning workout for the 135th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs Friday, May 1, 2009, in Louisville, Kentucky. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) #

A rider exercises her horse at sunrise during early morning workouts for the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky April 27, 2009. (REUTERS/John Sommers II) #

A robotic hoof mechanism is shown clad with an aluminum shoe. The mechanism simulates the force, angle and impact of a racehorse hoof, and makes measurements to help detect trouble spots on tracks. Owner Mick Peterson demonstrated the machine while testing the racing surface at Churchill Downs on Saturday, April 25, 2009. (AP Photo/Garry Jones) #

Kentucky Derby hopeful Regal Ransom is washed after his workout for the 135th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs Thursday, April 30, 2009, in Louisville, Kentucky. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) #

David Lanzman, who is part owner of Kentucky Derby entrant I Want Revenge, hangs the silks in gate No. 13 during the post-position draw for the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, Wednesday, April 29, 2009. (AP Photo/Garry Jones) #

Patty Ethington of Shelbyville, Kentucky, smiles under her hat while attending the 135th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 2, 2009. (AP Photo/Patti Longmire) #

Race fans fill the grandstand ahead of the 135th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, May 2, 2009. (REUTERS/John Sommers) #

Race fans enjoy traditional mint juleps before the running of the Kentucky Derby on May 2, 2009 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Jamie Squire/Getty Images) #

Steve Buttleman, the official bugler at Churchill Downs since 1995, blows the call to post for a race ahead of the running of the Kentucky Derby, May 2, 2009. (REUTERS/Matt Sullivan) #

And they're off! The field starts the Kentucky Derby on May 2, 2009 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. (Andy Lyons/Getty Images) #

Jockey Calvin Borel, atop Mine That Bird, rounds turn one in last place during the Kentucky Derby on May 2, 2009. (Jamie Squire/Getty Images) #

Calvin Borel, atop Mine That Bird catches up to the field during Kentucky Derby, May 2, 2009, in Louisville, Kentucky. (AP Photo/Mike Fisher) #

The field rounds a turn during the Kentucky Derby on May 2, 2009. Calvin Borel, riding Mine That Bird can just be seen at the back (2nd from right). (Andy Lyons/Getty Images) #

Calvin Borel rides Mine That Bird to a victory during the 135th Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 2, 2009, in Louisville, Kentucky. (AP Photo/John Flavell) #

Calvin Borel, riding Mine That Bird reacts after winning the 135th Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 2, 2009. (AP Photo/James Crisp) #

Jockey Calvin Borel atop Mine That Bird crosses the finish line to win the 135th running of the Kentucky Derby on May 2, 2009. (Jamie Squire/Getty Images) #

Closeup of the mud-splattered face of jockey Calvin Borel riding Mine That Bird, right after winning the 135th Kentucky Derby on May 2, 2009. (Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) #

Calvin Borel takes Mine That Bird to the winner's circle after winning the 135th Kentucky Derby on Saturday, May 2, 2009. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) #

Calvin Borel celebrates with the trophy - 56 ounces of solid gold - after winning the 135th running of the Kentucky Derby horse race aboard Mine That Bird in Louisville, Kentucky on May 2, 2009. (REUTERS/Jeff Haynes) #

The day after his win, Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird peers from his stall before dawn at Churchill Downs on Sunday, May 3, 2009. (AP Photo/Ed Reinke) #

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