A year ago J B Holmes was present in Louisville for the running of the 2013 Kentucky Derby.

This year Holmes holds the leading reins in the Wells Fargo Championship with a third round 66 to head the Quail Hollow field by a neck at 13-under par.

And Holmes managed to end his round about 45 minutes before the start of the 2014 Kentucky Derby.

“It’s been a big change for me since last year, as last year I broke my ankle and I was at the Derby and then a couple of weeks after that I ended up having arm surgery, too,” he said.

“It was kind of the beginning of a long come-back, so it’s a big chance coming back, but I worked really hard in the off-season and the year off that I had and tried to improve my game and where I could, middle game and short game and, you know, when I came back I really felt good, this whole year and been playing really well lately.”

And when asked if he had a favourite for this year’s running of the Derby, Holmes singled out Harry’s Holiday.

“I’m probably going to hit the range and won’t see the running of the race but Harry’s Holiday,” he said.

“I read the names of the horses and I liked that one, so I didn’t get much information on that.  I don’t know if he’s a favourite but that’s one I think I like.”

FOOTNOTE –

Just minutes before the start of the race and Harry’s Holiday was odds of 50-1.