Louisville, Kentucky
Trainer Todd Pletcher is not one for visiting the Winner's Circle the first Saturday in May but got a chance to return with his champion colt Always Dreaming.
The three-year-old proved best over a wet track with his solid tactical speed and jockey John Velazquez letting him roll up front and in the clear.
Velazquez sat behind State of Honor at the start, before taking the lead for good and kicking clear around the turn.
Always Dreaming took the 2017 Kentucky Derby by a clear 2 3/4 lengths over closer Lookin at Lee and even running Battle of Midway.
The derby champ returned $11.40 to win and completed the 1 1/4 mile race in a final time of 2:03.
Lookin at Lee ran to his closing style with a solid up-the-rail run to complete the exacta and is one to use in the exotics moving forward.
Always Dreaming is a reality now and has the pedigree with the talent that makes him one of the top three-year-olds in the country.