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The Kentucky Derby, a race for 3-year-old thoroughbreds, is held annually in Louisville, Kentucky at Churchill Downs. Known to many as "The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports" due to its duration, the derby is full of traditions stemming back to the late 1800's. As the most anticipated horse racing event of the year, the Kentucky Derby is the first event in Horse Racing's Triple Crown in the US, and draws a an annual crowd of more than 150,000 fans.
The first Kentucky Derby was on May 17, 1875 in front of an estimated 10,000 onlookers. Under jockey Oliver Lewis, a colt name Aristides won the inaugural Derby. The race was first run at 1.5 miles (2.4 km), and was later changed in 1896 to the current 1.25 miles (2 km). The track became known as Churchill Downs, named after John and Henry Churchill, who provided land for the racetrack. The track was officially became Churchill Downs in 1937.
In May of 1952 the first nationally televised Kentucky Derby took place, with a purse exceeding $100,000. The fastest time in the Derby was set in 1973 at 1:59.25 when Secretariat broke the record set by Northern Dancer back in 1964. That record has stood in place for 35 years. The 2004 Derby was the first time that jockeys, due to a court order, were allowed to advertise corporate sponsors on their clothing. In 2005 the purse distribution was changed, so that horses finishing fifth would receive a share of the total purse. Previously, only the top four finishers shared the purse.
Aside from the race itself, many lasting traditions play a part in the exciting and fun atmosphere at Churchill Downs during the Kentucky Derby. The Mint Julep drink (a sweetened Burbon drink), and Burgoo (a thick stew), a popular Derby dish, keep the fans happy on race day. The infield, a spectator area inside the track, offers general admission tickets to fans that may be there more for the party than to see the actual race. "Millionaire's Row", the expensive box seats, attract rich and famous spectators appearing in fancy attire.
The Derby is often referred to as "The Run for the Roses," due to a blanket of red roses awarded to the winner of the race. This tradition stems from New York socialite E. Berry Wall presenting roses to ladies at a Derby after-party in 1883. The gesture is believed to have led Col. M. Lewis Clark, Churchill Downs founder and president, to make the rose the Kentucky Derby's official flower. It was not until 1896 that the roses were draped on the Derby winner after the race.
View our Kentucky Derby picks from 2007, with results.
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