The Kentucky Derby has a surprise connection to a forgotten Dodgers OF

Jayson Werth's time with the Los Angeles Dodgers was defined by injuries more so than success. Werth spent three years in LA, but only appeared in 191 games. A strained oblique, fractured wrist, bursitis, and multiple setbacks kept Werth from reaching his full potential with the Dodgers. The outfielder eventually found success during a four-year stint with the Philadelphia Phillies, earning an All-Star appearance and a World Series championship.

But Werth will be looking for a championship in a different sport on Saturday. He has become quite fond of Thoroughbred racing and formed an ownership group called Icon Racing. Werth, 45, got his first taste of the Kentucky Derby last year with his entrant Dornoch. The three-year colt finished a distant 10th in the 20-horse field, but did win the third leg of the Triple Crown with a victory in the Belmont Stakes.

Werth will be looking to win the big one this year with his Kentucky Derby participant Flying Mohawk. The dark bay colt will break from the No. 8 hole at the starting gate, and the early morning odds have the horse going off at 30-1. That's quite the long shot for Werth, but if his tenure in LA taught him anything, it's that long odds mean very little once the game begins.

Kentucky Derby has a surprise connection to forgotten Dodgers OF Jayson Werth

Flying Mohawk placed second in the highly-coveted Jeff Ruby Steaks race early this year. The three-year-old is trained by D. Whitworth Beckman and has two wins and two second-place finishes in his young racing career. Werth and his ownership group will be hoping for win number three on Saturday. A lot of racing experts are calling Flying Mohawk a wild card in the Kentucky Derby, which ironically encapsulates Werth's major league career.

After his injury-riddled career with the Dodgers, Werth latched on with the Phillies. After battling another injury in 2007, Werth became a regular in the Phillies lineup by the end of the season. During the next three seasons in Philly, Werth proved he could stay healthy and hit a robust .279/.376/.513. His performance with the Phillies allowed Werth to secure a massive seven-year, $126 million deal with the Washington Nationals after the 2010 season, but he never achieved the same level of success with the Nats.

Werth is now all-in on horse racing, and will be the owner's box ahead of the post time for the 151st Kentucky Derby. The former Dodger hopes to be standing alongside Flying Mohawk in the winner's circle later today, but it's going to take a gargantuan effort to pull that off. Best of luck to Jayson and Flying Mohawk this evening in Louisville.

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