Racing: It's Derby time in Kentucky

This weekend sees the running of one of the world's most famous horse races.

And it's reportedly a very even field this year for the US$2.2 million Kentucky Derby on Saturday (Sunday NZ time).

The race is the first of the elite annual treble of US thoroughbred events known as the Triple Crown.

This year's Derby is unlikely to unearth a potential Crown winner, according to news agency Reuters, with the 20-strong field featuring a "solid yet unspectacular" crop of three-year-olds.

Wood Memorial champion I Want Revenge is a 3-1 favorite to win America's most prestigious race, with Dunkirk and Pioneer of the Nile next at 4-1, and Friesan Fire a 5-1 choice.

The rest of the capacity field for the mile-and-a-quarter (2 kilometre) race at Churchill Downs have double-digit odds, perhaps signalling there are few, if any, colts capable of claiming the Triple Crown in 2009, Reuters said.

Only 11 horses have won the Derby, the Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes and none since Affirmed in 1978.

- NZHERALD STAFF