Award winners can settle it on the track in Pegasus

Turkmenistan flouted social distancing conventions introduced across the world in the face of the coronavirus pandemic with spectators packing a hippodrome for festivities honouring its national horse. Footage broadcast by state television late on Sunday showed strongman President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov presiding over races to mark Turkmen Horse Day — an important date in the Turkmen calendar. While Berdymukhamedov, known as Turkmenistan’s Arkadag, or “Protector”, watched proceedings from a sealed box, ordinary spectators filled out the stadium and waved Turkmen flags.

Churchill Downs said the prize money will be increased from $2M to $3M, with the winner bringing home $1.86M.

Even though Maximum Security was disqualified at the Kentucky Derby, one anonymous fan still thinks the horse deserved a prize.