Storms making for wet and wild Kentucky Derby
May 1, 2010LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) -It's looking like a soggy - and windy - Kentucky Derby.
A steady rain fell Saturday afternoon at Churchill Downs and turned the dirt into a muddy soup. Well over an inch fell by 4 p.m. EDT and was joined by a steady wind that included gusts over 20 mph.
The weather forced officials to move some of the turf races to the dirt track, leading to numerous scratches. There were no defections from the 20-horse Derby field, which is set for a 6:28 p.m. EDT. There's a chance the storms could cease by post time.
The weather did little to deter fans. Over 155,000 braved the elements, an actual uptick from last year's race.
A tent city popped up on infield as spectators fought to stay dry.