The starting gate will once again be full with 20 horses for the 142nd Kentucky Derby. Even though the majority of horses have little chance of winning and over the half the field is typically eliminated in the opening quarter-mile, owners and trainers cannot resist the prestige of having a horse in America's greatest race.

Here's a look at some of our favorite Kentucky Derby images over the years.

See these photos on APImages.com

Text from the AP news story, Derby 2016: 5 horses to watch in 142nd Kentucky Derby, by Beth Harris.

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