The ups of the Downs: another stunning Kentucky Derby

Nyquist captured the 142nd Kentucky Derby on a splendid day in Louisville.

Nyquist made a terrific stretch run to win the Kentucky Derby over a charging Exaggerator, with Gun Runner holding onto third. Outstanding finish. (Getty photo)

Nyquist trainer Doug O'Neill, center, visited with Tom Leach and me last month at Keeneland. After Nyquist won the Florida Derby, O'Neill opted to send his undefeated horse to Lexington to prep for the Derby instead of flying him back to California. Nyquist had great runs at Keeneland and shipped over to Louisville less than a week before he would capture the roses at the Derby. — Nyquist trainer Doug O’Neill, center, visited with Tom Leach and me last month at Keeneland. We had a lengthy radio interview on horse training and O’Neill’s magnificent Derby win in 2011 with I’ll Have Another.

After Nyquist won the Florida Derby, O’Neill opted to send his undefeated horse to Lexington to prep for the Derby instead of flying him back to California. Nyquist had great runs at Keeneland and shipped over to Louisville less than a week before he would capture the roses at the Derby. Now it’s on to Baltimore for the Preakness Stakes on May 21st.

Beautiful women. Fast horses. Welcome to Kentucky. (Getty photo)

Beauty overwhelms Churchill Downs throughout Derby week. Actress Mira Sorvino told me that she felt “as though I’ve stepped into a completely elegant era from long ago.”

Even the horses understand that they're secondary to the fashion and flair of the Kentucky Derby experience. (Getty photo) — Even the horses understand that they’re secondary to the fashion and flair of the Kentucky Derby experience. (Getty photo)

Fox News host Megan Kelly tweeted this selfie with world class skier Lindsey Vonn

Kate Upton visited the paddock area prior to the Kentucky Derby race. (Getty photo)

Not everyone behaved at Churchill Downs. Drunk teens in preppy clothes tend to lose their minds in the hot sun of the Infield.

———–Can 2016 produce another Triple Crown winner like last year’s sensational American Pharoah? It’s unlikely but not impossible. Stay tuned. In case you missed it, here’s last year’s incredible launch to what would lead to legendary status for Pharoah.