The Kentucky Derby not only represents perhaps the greatest spectacle in horse racing, it also is the culmination of years of effort to breed the perfect champion. And for most of this year's hopefuls, that process began in the Bluegrass.
Seventeen of the 20 contenders for the 144th Run for the Roses were born near Lexington, Ky. And Audible, though a New York-bred, was quickly shipped after birth to grow up on a Central Kentucky horse farm.
The only two other Derby contenders this year born outside Kentucky are Firenze Fire (Florida) and Flameaway (Canada). The last foreign-born horse to win the Derby was Sunny's Halo (Canada) in 1983.
Of the previous 143 winners of the Run for the Roses, 109 were born in Kentucky _ including 2017 champion Always Dreaming, who was foaled at Dromoland Farm in Lexington, Ky.
Here's a rundown of all the horse farms that fostered Saturday's runners.
