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Cathy Wurzer
St. Paul, Minn.

Minnesotan breeds Kentucky Derby contender

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Derby favorite
Kentucky Derby favorite Big Brown with exercise rider Michelle Nevin runs on the track during training for the Kentucky Derby. Big Brown was bred by Gary Knapp, a Minnesota native.
Andy Lyons/Getty Images

The most famous horse race of all, the Kentucky Derby, will be run on Saturday. When the gates swing open, 20 thoroughbreds will race to the finish.

One of the favorites is named Big Brown. Big Brown was bred by Gary Knapp, who grew up in Fergus Falls, Minnesota.

Knapp started riding a pony out on his family's farm in Wilken County when he was 3 years old, but he says he decided to become a horse breeder when he went to Kentucky for graduate school in 1973.

Knapp spoke with MPR's Cathy Wurzer.

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Derby favorite
Kentucky Derby favorite Big Brown with exercise rider Michelle Nevin runs on the track during training for the Kentucky Derby. Big Brown was bred by Gary Knapp, a Minnesota native.
Andy Lyons/Getty Images