American Pharoah wins 141st Kentucky Derby

American Pharoah
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Pre-race favorite American Pharoah proved a safe choice on Saturday night at Churchill Downs in Louisville, winning the 141st Kentucky Derby in impressive, down-to-the-wire fashion. Firing Line finished second, followed by Dortmund.

American Pharoah was guided by jockey Victor Espinoza, who also won the Derby last year, atop California Chrome. Next up is the Preakness Stakes on May 16, the second stop in the quest for a Triple Crown, which was last won by Affirmed in 1978.

Editor's note: This article originally misidentified the second-place finisher. It has since been corrected. We regret the error.

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Sarah Eberspacher

Sarah Eberspacher is an associate editor at TheWeek.com. She has previously worked as a sports reporter at The Livingston County Daily Press & Argus and The Arizona Republic. She graduated from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism.