LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WEATHERPLUS/AP) – The state of Kentucky was being battered by a line of severe thunderstorms moving through central and western Kentucky Friday, bringing rain and high winds. The storms could have an impact on the Kentucky Derby Saturday.

Some race fans at Churchill Downs sought shelter on Friday when the storms arrived in Louisville.

Meteorologist John Gordon of the National Weather Service in Louisville said two more waves of storms were expected Friday night and Saturday afternoon.

A line of storms was expected to hit Louisville Friday night at approximately 9 EDT, and move east to the Lexington area.

Predictions of thunderstorms on Saturday might have Kentucky Derby handicappers scrambling to figure out who runs well in the mud.

The National Weather Service records indicate rain is not uncommon on racing day. Out of 133 Derby Days, 45% percent of them experienced precipitation at some point during the day,

The longest stretch of consecutive wet Derby Days was between 1989 and 1994.

Related Links:
National Weather Service Historical Database