Horse named after Usain Bolt is a Kentucky Derby favorite

One of the early favorites to win the 2018 Kentucky Derby is named after the fastest man in the world.

Bolt d'Oro led the Kentucky Derby media poll for four straight weeks ahead of the Santa Anita Derby on Saturday, and currently has the second-best odds to win the race at +700, according to OddsShark.

Trainer Ike Green told Nick Zaccardi of NBC Sports he coined the name Bolt d'Oro after watching Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt during the Rio Olympics. The "d'Oro" part of the name comes from the horse's sire, Medaglia d'Oro, who placed fourth at the Kentucky Derby and second at the Belmont Stakes in 2002.

"If you've ever just seen him run across the pasture, he just does it so easy and effortlessly," Green said. "You ever notice how when Usain Bolt gets in front, he just starts grinning? Any time you watch him race, as soon as he's in front, he gets a smile. The horse did everything so easy, I think it was kind of the same deal."

Bolt d'Oro's owner, Alvin "Mick" Ruis, initially wanted to name the horse after himself, though.

"I think, originally, Mick had wanted to name him Alvin after himself, and when Aidan tried to submit that, she found out that Mick had named one that just a few years ago. (Ruis) had already forgotten," Green said. "The second name she submitted for him was The Notorious One, but that was trademarked by Conor McGregor.

"I think, after the first couple got rejected, (Ruis) just said, just get him named. He didn't care, if I recall right."

This year's Kentucky Derby will also feature a horse named after another famous athlete, New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski.