The record crowd of 164,858 fans in attendance at Churchill Downs on the first Saturday in May for Kentucky Derby day were treated to 5 more graded stakes races on the undercard. Before the main event, there are five graded stakes contested over the main track and turf course before the record crowd of 164,858. Conditions were ideal, with overcast skies and temperatures in the mid 60's.
Kicking off the stakes action on Derby day was the $100,000 Twin Spires Turf Sprint Stakes (G3), featuring a field of 8 older horses going 5 furlongs on the turf. Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G2) winner Chamberlain Bridge was the 2-1 favorite over 5-2 Bridgetown. 29-1 longest shot Southern Region was quickest away and set early fractions of 21.89 and 44.89, before giving up the lead to Bridgetown at the 1/8 pole. However, 3-1 third choice Regally Ready, who stalked the pace in third, came out for room and drew away to a 1 1/4 length win over Bridgetown in 56.57 seconds over the firm turf. It was a long 3 1/4 lengths back to favorite Chamberlain Bridge third.
