NOTEBOOK Kentucky Derby

Forecast: The severe thunderstorms that soaked Churchill Downs Friday were expected to clear out well before the Kentucky Derby. “I don’t think it will be extreme enough to affect the Derby,” said meteorologist John Gordon of the National Weather Service in Louisville, Ky. A line of storms was expected to hit Friday night in Louisville, moving east to the Lexington area. Gordon said there would be a threat of tornadoes Friday night along Kentucky’s southern border. Overnight rain in Louisville should end at about 9 a.m. today, Gordon said. More rain was possible in the afternoon until about 6 p.m., just as the race is scheduled to start. Churchill Downs has a reputation for drying very quickly. If afternoon showers don’t develop, the track could be rated fast. Smarty Jones won the last Derby run in the slop in 2004.

Proud Spell takes Kentucky Oaks: Proud Spell drew away in the stretch to win the $500,000 Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs Friday, giving trainer Larry Jones a shot at pulling off an unprecedented Oaks-Kentucky Derby double. The 3-year-old filly stalked pacesetter Bsharpsonata around the far turn, then simply ran away from the rest of the 10-horse field to win by 5 lengths and set the stage for stablemate Eight Belles, who will take on the boys in the Derby. No trainer has won the Oaks and the Derby in the same year since 1952, and none have done it with two fillies.

A quiet morning: It was all quiet at Churchill Downs on the morning before the Derby. All of the serious workouts and training had already concluded for the 20 Derby runners. Friday morning was for gallops around the track to keep the runners fit and focused. The news occurred off track, with the announcements that NetJets will sponsor each of the 20 jockeys in the Derby. As part of the NetJets sponsorship, a $200,000 donation will be made to the NTRA Charities-Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund, benefiting jockeys who have become disabled during their riding careers. There are 57 permanently disabled jockeys who rely on the fund for support. NetJets is a private aviation company that sells fractional ownerships in business jets. It is part of Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway.

Associated Press