Today brings "The Greatest Two Minutes In Sports" with the 141st running of the Kentucky Derby. It's also likely the most profitable two minutes anywhere in the world, at least for the owner of the track that hosts it.

The 20 horses in today's Kentucky Derby are expected to run in the most profitable one in the history of "The Run for the Roses." The Derby is forecast to make an $83 million profit for Churchill Downs Incorporated. That's about $691,667 per second of the approximate two-minute race. The company owns seven casinos and tracks, but today's race will account for about 30% of their yearly profit according to Cameron McKnight, a Wells Fargo Securities analyst.

Each year, I stop whatever I'm doing on Derby Day and hustle to a television to watch the Kentucky Derby. It's always cool to see Cedar Rapids Washington graduate Steve Buttleman call the horses to the post, via his bugle. He plays before the Derby for the 20th time today. The Kentucky Derby always seems to have a great story line to follow and I'm invariably watching The Preakness as well, two weeks later. If a horse remains in the Triple Crown hunt when the Belmont Stakes arrive, I watch that too. If not, sorry horse racing, I'm out.

You can watch today's race here. Post time is approximately 5:24 Iowa time. That's another of the unique aspects of the Kentucky Derby... what other sporting event gives you an approximate starting time? Then again, no other sport has the uncertainty and unpredictability of 20 thoroughbred horses.

Today's favorites are American Pharoah and Dortmund at 3-1 and 4-1 odds, respectively. However, more often than not it seems a surprise awaits. What will today bring?

Elsa, Getty Images
Elsa, Getty Images
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