Kentucky Derby

Street Sense wins the Kentucky Derby!

Hard Spun - second

Curlin - third

Imawildandcrazyguy - fourth

www.KentuckyDerby.com

Churchill Downs
In 1874 Churchill Downs was founded by a group led by Meriwether Lewis Clark, grandson of the Lewis and Clark expedition's William Clark. The racetrack was built on land owned by the Churchill family of Louisville, Kentucky.

First Kentucky Derby
Churchill Downs officially opened on May 17, 1875, to a crowd of about 10,000. On that same day the first Kentucky Derby was run with a field of 15 horses. African-American jockey Oliver Lewis rode a colt named Aristides to victory on . Aristides, trained by future Hall of Famer, Ansel Williamson, won a second-place finish in the Belmont Stakes latyer that year.

From 1875-1895 the race was modeled after the Epsom Derby and the Grand Prix de Paris, and the distance raced was one and a half miles. In 1896 the length of the Kentucky Derby was changed to 1.25 miles, which is the same distance it's still run at today.

The world-famous twin spires atop the homestretch grandstands at Churchill Downs were added in 1895.

Run for the Roses
A lush blanket of 554 red roses is awarded to the Kentucky Derby winner each year. The tradition is as a result of New York socialite E. Berry Wall presenting roses to ladies at a post-Derby party in 1883 that was attended by Churchill Downs president, Col. M. Lewis Clark. This gesture is believed to have eventually led Clark to the idea of making the rose the race's official flower. However, it was not until 1896 that any recorded account referred to roses being draped on the Derby winner. The Governor of Kentucky awards the garland and the trophy.

The Kentucky Derby was just another regional race until 1902, when Colonel Matt J. Winn took over the track after business struggled with financial difficulties. Although he had seen every single running of the Kentucky Derby, Winn knew little about horse racing or running a race course. However, he was a great promoter, and would bring the run for the roses into the prominence that has made it the world's most renowned horse race.

As part of rescuing Churchill Downs from bankruptcy, Winn made frequent trips to New York, then the center of American racing, to persuade owners to enter their horses in the Kentucky Derby.

Winn's persistence paid off. By 1920, the Derby had become the best-known race in North America and it was attracting the top three-year-olds from all over the country.

Today as the first leg in the pursuit of the Triple Crown the Kentucky Derby is viewed by many as the most exciting two minutes in sports.

History
Between 1875 and 1902, African-American jockeys won 15 of the 28 runnings of the Kentucky Derby. On May 11, 1892, African-American jockey Alonzo "Lonnie" Clayton, age 15, became the youngest rider to win the Derby. The 1904 race was won by Elwood, the first Derby starter and winner to be owned by a woman, Laska Durnell. In 1915, Regret became the first filly to win the Kentucky Derby, and in 1917, the English bred colt "Omar Khayyam" became the first foreign-bred horse to win the race.

The Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes at the Pimlico Race Course, in Baltimore, Maryland, and the Belmont Stakes in Elmont, New York offered the three largest purses. Owners of Kentucky Derby winning horses would soon pursue the other contests as well.

In 1919 Sir Barton became the first horse to win all three races. However, the term Triple Crown didn't come into use for another eleven years. In 1930, when Gallant Fox became the second horse to win all three races, sportswriter Charles Hatton brought the phrase into American usage. Fueled by the media, public interest in the possibility of a "superhorse" that could win the Triple Crown began in the weeks leading up to the Derby.

Two years after the term was coined, the race, which had been run in mid-May since inception, was changed to the first Saturday in May to allow for a specific schedule for the Triple Crown races.

Mint Julep
The Mint Julep, an iced drink consisting of bourbon, mint and a sugar syrup is the traditional beverage of the race. The historic drink is best served in an ice-frosted silver julep cup but most Churchill Downs patrons sip theirs from a souvenir glass printed with all previous Derby winners. Over 80,000 mint juleps are typically served on Derby Day and the preceding day's event, The Kentucky Oaks stakes race, which is considered by many to be "the Derby for Fillies."

Burgoo
Burgoo, a thick stew of beef, chicken, pork and vegetables, is a popular dish at the Derby.

My Old Kentucky Home
As the horses are paraded before the grandstands, Stephen Foster's "My Old Kentucky Home" is played by the University of Louisville marching band while the crowd stands and sings along.

Derby Hats
Many women will appear in fine outfits lavishly accessorized with large, elaborate hats.

Kentucky Derby Official Website
Outstanding website, with news and video replays.

Churchill Downs Official Website
Another great Churchill Downs website, covering their race course and meets.

Horse Racing
News and upcoming races on Squidoo.


Barbaro on Squidoo
Barbaro's career and recent news about his legacy.

Speak Horse Racing
A brief, subject indexed glossary about horse racing terms and definitions, here on Squidoo.