A couple of thoroughbreds run along the Churchill Downs track, in this photo from Kentucky Tourism. Courtesy photo

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Mention the Kentucky Derby, and thoroughbreds will immediately come to mind.

The glistening reddish coat of maybe the greatest athlete of all time — Secretariat — leaps for the finish line in 1:59.40 for the 1 1/4 mile distance at Churchill Downs near the banks of the Ohio River, which flooded the track and infield in 1937. Secretariat’s sub-two minute time was the only instance any rangy thoroughbred ever ran the Kentucky Derby in less than two minutes.

It’s sometimes called America’s Race. The general public perks its collective ears when hearing of the Kentucky Derby. It does not do that for the Dubai World Cup or the All-America Futurity or even the Fountain of Youth held in Hallandale, Fla.

It’s all about the chestnuts, the roan-colored wonders or the numerous bays. They can be found with three “white socks” or a wide white blaze running the length of their nose or a tail that threatens to reach the ground.

No matter their stature or how many hands they stand tall, it is always about the thoroughbreds.

Count the many thousands in the infield. Have the television cameras show the sun dresses, gossamer hats, sun glasses, high heels, fancy hairdos or tinkling glasses filled with mint juleps or martinis, it will still be the crowded field of thoroughbreds that are most important.

Movie stars, business moguls, politicians, professional sports figures and noted singers can’t hold a candle to the thoroughbreds.

Graceful and long-striding. Athletic and often picture-perfect. Able to grab your attention with only a bob of their head or a look in your direction. Thoroughbreds are more spell-binding than any human being.

In Louisville, it’s not the track’s twin spires, nor its many levels of grandstand, nor its people-choked infield with young fans throwing frisbees or listening to music that make the afternoon another historic happening.

It’s not the week-long parties or back slapping greetings from people seeing each other for the first time in years or months.

It’s the gathering of a possible 20 thoroughbreds to entertain their owners, trainers and adoring public.

The Kentucky Derby. A sporting event like no other.

Where Secretariat — the 1973 Kentucky Derby champion and Triple Crown winner — easily outweighs anything with two legs or a multi-colored hat or designer’s dress or bow tie or costly sport jacket or drink in hand.

Thoroughbreds return as surely as spring charges back to the calendar. And there are no thunderstorms associated with the Kentucky Derby, even if it rains on the costly women’s hats made just for the occasion.

Early spring. Outdoors with a hint of comfort in the air.

A probable field of 20 four-legged athletes.

Whether there’s another possible Secretariat in this group won’t be of much consequence.

Thoroughbred horses with all their splendor and grace and beauty will be the most important treasures on Derby Day in 2024.