Controversy in the most important race in equestrian 1:00
(CNN) --
The 148th running of the Kentucky Derby will take place this Saturday as the iconic race looks to move past last year's controversy.
Medina Spirit crossed the finish line in first place in 2021, but the horse subsequently tested positive for a banned substance, meaning the result was annulled.
The horse's trainer, Bob Baffert, was banned for two years from Churchill Downs and the initial runner-up, Mandaloun, was announced as the winner of the race.
Baffert later issued a lengthy statement claiming that an ointment used to treat dermatitis could have caused the positive result.
The episode, which took another sad turn after the unexpected death of the Medina Spirit in December, could continue to cast a shadow over the spectacle that was first held in 1875, but the Derby is keen to put the controversy behind it.
Without Baffert, who has won the race a record six times, the field is wide open for what promises to be some exciting competition.
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Medina Spirit crosses the finish line in first place during the 147th Kentucky Derby.
Dubbed "the greatest two minutes in sport" in reference to its approximate length, the Derby is the first race in the coveted Triple Crown of horse racing in the United States, which also includes the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes.
Baffert-trained Justify was the last horse to win all three races in 2018.
Who to watch
Although Baffert is banned from the race, two of his former horses have a strong chance of success.
Messier and Taiba are among the contenders after being taken over by former Baffert assistant Tim Yakteen, who has been training the horses for this weekend's show for just over a month.
Yakteen says he hasn't had any communication with Baffert in the run-up to the race, but has faced extra attention with some arguing these are the 69-year-old trainer's horses in all but name.
"I'll be honest, I didn't think it would be like this, but I never would have hesitated," Yakteen told reporters when asked if he had hesitated to bring the horses to his stable.
However, Epicenter and Zandon seem to be the two most prominent bets heading into the race, as both horses have great potential.
Epicenter trainer Steve Asmussen is the most successful in North American horse racing history, but has failed to win the Derby in his 23 attempts.
Zandon, for his part, is coming off an impressive performance in the last edition, which is why he is considered a favorite for this race.
Where to watch the competition
The Derby will be broadcast in the United States on NBC, the NBC website and its app, with coverage of all races on Saturday beginning at noon.
The iconic race is scheduled to start at 6:57 pm ET.
horse racing kentucky derby
