Today marks the 134th running of the Kentucky Derby, affectionately known as the Run For the Roses and considered by many to be “the most exciting two minutes in sports.”
The classic American horse race, the Derby is the oldest consecutively run Thoroughbred race in America. It is run annually on the first Saturday in May at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Preceding the Preakness in mid-May and the Belmont in early June, it’s the first jewel of the coveted Triple Crown of Thoroughbred racing. Won by only eleven horses since 1919, Triple Crown winners include memorable names like Secretariat, Seattle Slew, Whirlaway and Affirmed.
The first Kentucky Derby was run May 17, 1875, before a crowd of 10,000 from around the city, state and surrounding areas. A field of fifteen three-year-olds ran a one and a half mile course with the race won by H.P. McGrath’s Aristides. The following year, the distance was shortened to the present mile and a quarter…
The Derby field is limited to three-year-olds; fillies carry 121 pounds and colts 126 pounds. So far, only three fillies have won the Derby: Regret in 1915, Genuine Risk in 1980, and Winning Colors in 1988. Not surprisingly, the Derby has produced myriad statistics and trivia over the course of its colorful history. The largest field, for example, was during the 100th running in 1974 when 23 horses ran. The smallest fields were in 1892 and 1905, with only three horses in each race. The fastest Derby was run by the legendary Secretariat who covered the mile and a quarter in 1:59 2/5, the only Derby winner to finish under two minutes.
Meriwether Lewis Clark Jr., who built Churchill Downs, had wanted his track to feature a race that would rival England’s Epsom Derby. So, after visiting England to study its tracks and races, he established the Kentucky Derby. But the Derby was just another regional race until 1902 when Colonel Matt J. Winn took over the track. He’d seen every Derby since its beginning and, although he knew little about horse racing or running race tracks, he was an excellent promoter.
After raising enough money to save Churchill Downs from bankruptcy, Winn began making frequent trips to New York, the center of American racing at the time, to persuade owners to enter their horses in the Kentucky Derby. His persistence paid off. By 1920 the Derby had become the best known race in North America and was attracting top three-year-olds from all over the country.
Steeped in tradition, the Derby is as much about zany hats, mint juleps and its extravagant Derby Festival as horse racing. For many, it’s the social event of the year. And while rains promise a muddy track and infield this year, they haven’t dampened attendees’ spirits. Spectators have picked their favorites, staked out their grassy viewing spots and will spend the day celebrating. That is, until the 6:04 (EST) post time when all eyes will be on the 134th Run For the Roses where history will, once again, be made.