The 151st running of the Kentucky Derby had at least two direct connections to music: Render Judgment was co-owned by late country singer Toby Keith and Sandman was named by a pair of Metallica superfans, who welcomed “Enter Sandman” howler James Hetfield to Churchill Downs to meet the Thoroughbred on Friday.

Toby Keith's dream is coming true at the Kentucky Derby. The country legend's Dream Walkin' Farms has a horse that's racing on Saturday. Keith died in February 2024 after battling stomach cancer.

Toby Keith 's family was in the stands to root on his horse at the Kentucky Derby on Saturday (May 3). The late singer's wife Tricia Lucas walked the red carpet at Lexington's Churchill Downs before the big race, alongside her daughter Shelley and son Stelen.