(Cyberknife / All Photos by Holly M. Smith)

Editor’s Note:

The Kentucky Derby horse crowd is fashionably late-arriving this year, but some of the best and the brightest are already on the grounds and tuning up for the biggest and best Thoroughbred race in the history of the sport on the First Saturday this coming May.

Here’s a few looks from our very own Holly M. Smith, who braves the chill of the morn and the mud of the rain to capture the essence and the presence, altogether.

Here’s our looks:

Cyberknife, winner of the G1 Arkansas Derby:

Set Piece, an older horse and Stakes winner in the barn of trainer Brad Cox

Color red is well coordinated in morning fashion:

Graded Stakes winner Bonny South:

Japan’s KY Derby Hopeful Crown Pride:

 

Morning looks: