A classic image from the 1999 Derby: Charismatic jockey Chris Antley surrounded by roses and holding the Derby trophy.

The Derby, which started in 1875, is the oldest consecutive running sports event in the United States. You hear cheers at the Super Bowl and it's a great spectacle. But as far as the great sports events, it's still kind of a Johnny-come-lately. Some of us get teary-eyed when we hear "My Old Kentucky Home" on Derby Day. You don't see tears at the Super Bowl.

The World Series is different because it's the best-of-seven games. I'm just talking about one day sporting events.

I've never been able to get to Louisville early enough during Derby week to catch all the events, but I've heard plenty about the tradition that goes with them. There is a lot of private parties everywhere, which is probably the biggest thing about Derby week. Everyone wants those invitations.

But you've got to be out there on the backstretch the mornings of Derby week. It's amazing how many reporters there are, reporters that may have never seen a horse race before, talking to the trainers and maybe a jockey or two. It's more intimate in the morning. If the weather is nice, those early mornings are just great.

Although every Kentucky Derby is special, the 1987 Run for the Roses was particularly exciting.

Alysheba stumbled in the stretch while fighting for the lead with Bet Twice, and almost went to his knees. The 3-year-old almost threw jockey Chris McCarron. This potentially could have been the worst accident in the history of the Derby because there were 15 horses behind him. Instead, the horse somehow gathered himself.

Usually, when horses stumble they just gallop out and finish at the back of the pack. But not only did Alysheba get up, he passed Bet Twice and went on to win it.

Somebody congratulated McCarron on his ride, and he said: "No, the horse did it all himself."

The one quality in all Kentucky Derby winners is heart. We don't quite know why these horses try so hard. They don't know that the crowd is there, they don't know money or sentiment is involved. But they have been bred for more than 300 years to want to try as hard as they can. Only a special few get ahead in this group. It's very, very touching to see them try. A horse needs a heart of a champion to win the Derby.