The Kentucky Derby is the second oldest horse race in America. The race
track was built on farmland in Louisville, Kentucky. The first race was held on
May 17, 1875, with 10 thousand people in attendance, and has run every year
since. In the first event, an African-American named Oliver Lewis rode the
winner, Aristides. See information on thoroughbred
racing tickets, VIP packages, schedules and seating chart here.
The race is held yearly in Louisville, Kentucky, United States during
the first Saturday in May. It caps off the two-week Kentucky Derby Festival.
The race is a Grade I stakes race for three-year-old Thoroughbreds with
a length of 2 kilometers at Churchill Downs. Colts and Geldings carry 57 kilograms or 126 pounds and fillies 55
kilograms or 121 pounds.
In the United States, the race is known to be “The Most Exciting Two
Minutes in Sports” or “The Fastest Two Minutes in Sports” because of its
duration. It is also known to be “The Run for the Roses” because the winner
will be draped with 554 red roses. This tradition started in 1883.
The Kentucky Derby is one event of the United States Triple Crown of
Thoroughbred Racing, and is the most prestigious of these races. The other
events are Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes. The Kentucky Derby followed
by the Preakness Stakes and then the Belmont Stakes. To win the Triple Crown,
the horse must win the three races.
Audience for the Kentucky Derby usually surpasses the attendance of all other
stakes races including the Preakness Stakes, Belmont Stakes and the Breeders’
Cup. See information on thoroughbred
racing tickets, VIP packages, schedules and seating chart here.
