In 1939, Winston Churchill referred to the Soviet Union and its motivations as “A riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma.
The same type of phrase can be used each year to describe the complexity of the Kentucky Derby and its many story lines. So, for those who haven’t looked closely yet at this year’s race, a good starting point might be to summarize some of the key story lines.
The biggest money-winning trainer in the history of North American racing does not have great percentages in America’s greatest race.
From a record 62 entries, he has won twice, finished second twice, and been third four times. It should be noted, however, that many of these horses were longshots that didn’t have much of a chance, and the shortest-priced horse Pletcher has ever entered was his 2017 winner, Always Dreaming, who was a lukewarm favorite at $4.70-to-1.