Horses move toward after First Turn at Kentucky Derby 150.JPG

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The historic 150th Kentucky Derby has come and gone, with one of the most dramatic finishes in its storied history — three noses at the wire as thousands of fans cheered on and anxiously waited for the results. 

The Run for the Roses went off just after 7 p.m. Saturday with 20 horses and a crowd of 156,710. 

IMAGES | Celebrities, sports stars arrive at Churchill Downs for the 150th Kentucky Derby

Churchill Downs attracts big names for the Run for the Roses. 

"I can't believe we're here and the tradition keeps carrying on," a woman from Minnesota told WDRB of the 150th Derby. 

Wynona Judd sang the national anthem ahead of the big race. Shortly after, Martha Stewart served as the grand marshal to give the "Riders Up" command for the jockeys to mount their horses in the paddock at Churchill Downs.

The Derby answers the perennial question of which 3-year-old can best handle running 1 1/4 miles in front of the biggest crowd they will ever see and hear.

Mystik Dan desperately fought to hang on with two challengers coming to him in the closing strides. He did, too, after a delay of several minutes while the closest three-horse photo finish since 1947 was sorted out.

That year, Jet Pilot won by a head over Phalanx, who was another head in front of Faultless.

This one was much tighter.

Mystik Dan, an 18-1 shot, edged Sierra Leone by a nose, with Forever Young another nose back in third on Saturday. Sierra Leone was the most expensive horse in the race at $2.3 million.

“A lot of times you buy an expensive horse like that and they can't run,” said Peter Brandt, one of the six owners. “We've very, very lucky he's made it this far. We're looking forward to this race but also looking forward to the future of taking care of this horse.”

IMAGES | Party begins! Infield crowd at Churchill Downs ready for Kentucky Derby 150

The most colorful characters aren't in the grandstands and suites. If you want the real flavor of Derby, head to the infield! 

Conversely, Larry Demeritte shelled out just $11,000 to buy Saratoga West. The 74-year-old Bahamas native has won 180 races and nearly $5 million in purse money since he started training in 1984. Demeritte is just the second Black trainer since 1951 to saddle a horse for the derby.

“This is truly amazing how we got to this position with this horse,” he said.

For the second straight year, Japan had two entries: Forever Young and T O Password. The country has never won the race.

IMAGES | Colorful hats, fascinators and suits highlight Kentucky Derby 150 fashions

Churchill Downs is the place to see and be seen on the first Saturday in May! 

This year's race was one for the ages, too. D. Wayne Lukas, the 88-year-old trainer with four derby wins, saddles Just Steel. Frankie Dettori, the famed Italian jockey, was back to ride Society Man at age 53 after a 24-year absence.

Trainer Todd Pletcher, who saddles Fierceness, was in the derby for the 24th year and it never gets old. He's won it twice.

“If anything, it just becomes more nerve-wracking,” he said.

There were several races at the historic track on Saturday leading up to the Kentucky Derby. 

Derby attendees enjoy the hours leading up to the 150th Kentucky Derby

The electricity on the track was felt by those thousands of fans packing Churchill Downs.

On the first Saturday in May, every square inch of Churchill Downs was filled head to toe.

"The Kentucky Derby is so special it’s like the best time to show off the State of Kentucky," Katie Durnen, who watched Derby 150, said.

Girlfriends spent the day drinking Lily's.

“This is absolutely fabulous. This is so much fun! I love the fashion and the people," Alicia Billington, who came to Louisville from Florida, said.

Men smoked cigars, and tens of thousands made a bet on their favorite horse.

“You win some. You lose some. I definitely lost some! But hopefully next year, I’ll win some," Will Lowery, who attended Derby 150 with a friend, said.

From fashion to food, everyone made sure, they had the best Derby experience.

"This is my first time!! All of it has been so fun!!! I love it all," Heather Bilyeu, who was in the stands on Saturday, said.

Even Gary Faulkner, who was sporting crutches, wasn’t going to miss the 150th Derby!

“If my doctor sees this, I’m not walking! I have my cast boot back at the hotel," Faulkner said.

Tears of joy, shouting, and laughter were the main emotions for this year's Mystik Dan.

For many, it's a day they won't forget.

Celebrities hit the red carpet ahead of Derby 150

Hundreds of celebrities from sports, movies and music, gather for the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby.

The celebrities also hit the Kentucky Derby Red Carpet in the afternoon. That includes Louisville's own Jack Harlow, Wynonna Judd, Tina Knowles, Smokey Robinson, Jimmy Fallon, JD Shelburne and more.

Each year brings tons of celebrities to the Derby City. From the big screen to the football stadium, the Derby gives horseracing fans and Louisville natives the chance to see stars.

While some went past the cameras, anxious to enjoy the day, others stopped to gush about Churchill Downs, Kentucky hospitality, the fashion and the food.

Local and state leaders were also on the red carpet, proud to boast about their home state.

Wynonna Judd gave a preview of her National Anthem performance, which she could also be heard rehearsing Saturday morning before fans began showing up.

Some stars bypassed the red carpet and mingled with the crowd, including Kansas City Chiefs' Travis Kelce, who was seen enjoying all Derby has to offer — including a winning bet.

Beyoncé's mom, Tina Knowles, gave out Derby fashion advice to her friends. They also threw out their Derby picks and what brings them to the city each year.

Churchill Downs also made special recognition Saturday for Louisville first responders, particularly thanking the firefighters who saved a woman whose semitruck was dangling off the 2nd Street Bridge after a crash earlier this year.

Bryce Carden, the firefighter who repelled down to pull the woman from the truck, got a rousing round of applause from the Kentucky Derby crowd, and a special video presentation — produced by WDRB — was played on the Churchill Downs video boards for him Saturday morning.

Betting window woes for some at Derby 150

Just like betting on the races, getting through the line takes a system or maybe a little luck.

A big part of the Kentucky Derby experience is placing a winning bet. That is, if the line is moving.

Saturday saw some slow lines and unhappy bettors, packed in line all afternoon. Some waited well over an hour in line.

While a few lines moved quickly, by the middle of the afternoon when betting really ramped up, the line started to crawl.

"We just got here, so we were gonna bet three races, the rest of the Derby," said Jeff Corbin Jr., who came to Louisville from Buffalo, New York, with his father for the Derby. But they ended up standing in line and missing three races. 

Still, the Corbins said too many people were just not prepared when they got to the bettor's window.

Meanwhile, Travis Marshall had been in line longer than he had planned. And as the line grew, the higher the anxiety.

There are ways to avoid lines, however. That includes online betting. Although it's not for everyone.

"Who wants to do technology on your phone?" one bettor asked.

Just like betting on the races, getting through the line takes a system, or maybe even a little luck. Terry and Kevin Dunn, from Utah, hit the fast lane.

"Oh I had a whole list from our grandchildren and siblings that all wanted to bet, we had two pages full of them. They had us done in seven minutes," they said. 

The Dunns spent less than 20 minutes in line and bet all the late afternoon races.

Lines to collect winnings were also long, but moved along.

Churchill Downs officials said Derby 150 produced a record $320.5 million in bets for the day, up from 2023's mark of $288.7 million. The race itself held a record of $210.7 million, beating last year's $188.7 million. Derby Week betting rose to a record $446.6 million.

More Kentucky Derby 150 Coverage: 

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