内容摘要：Renate Reinsve poses for photographers at the photo call for the film ‘Sentimental Value’ at the 78th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Thursday, May 22, 2025. (Photo by Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP)

Renate Reinsve poses for photographers at the photo call for the film ‘Sentimental Value’ at the 78th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Thursday, May 22, 2025. (Photo by Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP)

Bone structure and musculature also help. The ligaments and tendons in their hind legs act like springs, Farmer said, helping propel them forward. Like other large prey animals, he added, they have “long, thin legs that are meant to run.”The adaptations that make horses faster also predispose them to injury, Reed said. Their skinny legs absorb the impact of each stride, she said, and over time the repetitive stress of racing and training can lead to deformation of tendons and ligaments.

In 2023, deaths occurred not only at Churchill Downs, but other major racing venues, affecting public perceptions of the sport and sparking changes. Reviews found no single cause for the deaths. But for 2024, Churchill Downs upgraded equipment used on its dirt surface and added an equine safety and integrity veterinarian., the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority noted the steps being taken to reduce injuries and fatalities — expanded veterinary protocols, pre-race inspections and uniform medication oversight. And, it said, the rate of deaths at authority-accredited tracks dropped in 2024, by 27%.Kentucky Derby entrant Journalism gets a bath after a workout at Churchill Downs Tuesday, April 29, 2025, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Kentucky Derby entrant Journalism gets a bath after a workout at Churchill Downs Tuesday, April 29, 2025, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)Experts say a healthy, safe environment brings out the best in a horse — but they still don’t know what makes certain horses standouts at the race track.

“That’s the million-dollar question,” Bailey said. “Every thoroughbred owner is trying to match the genetics of the parents in order to make the horse with the greatest chance of winning.”

Breeding is only part of the equation, experts said; nurture, training and the horse-rider relationship also factor in. Each time a horse emerges seemingly out of nowhere to win the Kentucky Derby, Farmer is reminded of this.Insulated BioLoco water bottles by German brand Chic.Mic are displayed at the Ambiente homewares trade fair in Frankfurt, Germany in Feb. 2025. (Kim Cook via AP)

The tech keeps evolving, says Bleyer. “I’ve seen and tested everything from filtering water bottles to the Air Up, which uses flavor pods to enhance the taste, as well as newer options that carbonate your water or track your sips.”Self-cleaning bottles could be helpful in countries or wilderness areas where water quality is questionable. Philips’ GoZero UV Self-Cleaning Smart Water Bottle got top ratings in Men’s Health magazine’s testing lab for self-cleaning bottles. Its month-long battery life might make it useful for off-grid camping or trekking. LED technology automatically sanitizes the bottle every two hours, or whenever you push the cap button.

The LARQ PureVis 2 is another self-cleaning water bottle. The company says the plant-based filter in the lid removes chlorine, forever chemicals (PFAS) and bacteria. The bottle also tracks your consumption. It’s made it into the Museum of Modern Art’s design store and is part of their spring new product collection.The HidrateSpark Pro comes with a Bluetooth tracker to keep you updated on consumption, based on your age, weight, activity level and other factors you code into the app.