Gray horses: Gray horses look different, so they generate some excitement from people who might not care about a horse’s pedigree or speed rating. No gray horse has won the Kentucky Derby since 2005. There are three grays running this year: Sandman, Final Gambit, and Chunk of Gold.

Briley finally has made it to the Kentucky Derby with Coal Battle, who won four straight stakes races from November through February before finishing third in the Arkansas Derby in March. “It’s a good thing I don’t drink,” Briley says. “Because I’d be a drunk.”

Japan’s best showing in the Kentucky Derby came last year, when Forever Young became the first horse from Japan to finish in the money in the Run for the Roses. Forever Young finished third as part of a historic three-way photo finish at the wire to determine the Derby outcome.