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THE KENTUCKY DERBY

HISTORY OF THE KENTUCKY DERBY
The Kentucky Derby was started by Meriwether Lewis Clark, Jr., grandson of William Clark of the Lewis and Clark expedition, after a trip Europe.  While in Europe in 1872, Clark visited horse racing tracks in England and France.  When he returned to Kentucky, he formed the Louisville Jockey Club for the purpose of raising money to build quality horse racing facilities.

The Kentucky Derby was first run in 1875 on a 1 ½ mile track.  The field consisted of 15 three year old horses.  Under jockey Oliver Lewis a colt named Aristides won the inaugural Derby.  Later that year, Lewis and Aristides went on to place second in the Belmont Stakes. The Kentucky Derby is the second oldest thoroughbred horse race in the United States.

Thoroughbred owners began sending their successful Derby horses to compete a few weeks later in the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course, in Baltimore, Maryland, followed by the Belmont Stakes in Elmont, New York. The three races offered the largest purse and 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.

FACTS ABOUT THE KENTUCKY DERBY
Between 1875 and 1902, African-American jockeys won 15 of the 28 runnings of the Kentucky Derby.
In 1892, African-American jockey Alonzo Clayton, age 15, became the youngest rider to win the Derby.
In 1915, Regret became the first filly to win the Kentucky Derby.
In 1917, English bred colt Omar Khayyam became the first foreign-bred horse to win the race.
The fastest time ever run at the Derby was set in 1973 at 1 minute 59 2/5 seconds by Secretariat.

CHURCHILL DOWNS
The land for the track was provided by John and Henry Churchill, relatives of Meriwether Lewis Clark, Jr.  They leased 80 acres of land to Clark for the track which would eventually become known as Churchill Downs.  The track officially opened in 1875 when the first Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks were held.

In 1893, the track was sold to a syndicate which would soon institute many changes.  The new owners shortened the length of the race to 1 ¼ mile, they commissioned the construction of the famous twin spire grandstands, and adorned the winner of the derby with a garland of roses.

MORE FACTS ABOUT CHURCHILL DOWNS
Today, Churchill Downs is composed of 147 acres.
The dirt oval main track is one mile in circumference.
The turf track, inside the dirt track, is 7/8 of a mile in circumference.
From 2001 to 2005, the track underwent a $121 million renovation.
The Kentucky Derby Museum contains a number of exhibits that explore training and thoroughbred horse racing.

KENTUCKY DERBY TRADITIONS
Mint Julep – The Mint Julep is the official drink of the Kentucky Derby. It is an iced drink consisting of bourbon, mint, and a sweet syrup and is traditionally served in a commemorative Kentucky Derby glass.

Burgoo – A lamb and vegetable stew that is the traditional meal of the Kentucky Derby.
Derby Hat Parade – The derby hat parade takes place inside of Churchill Downs and refers to the sea of stylish and elegant hats worn by women and men alike during the Kentucky Derby.

Kentucky Derby Festival – The annual two-week series of events held in Louisville beginning with Thunder Over Louisville and leading up to the Kentucky Derby.