The Run for the Roses

"The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports"

History dates back to 1875 when Aristides won the first Kentucky Derby® race. Since that date, 134 consecutive Kentucky Derby® races have created many historical winners and unforgotten moments to the history of horse racing. There were no roses for Aristides, roses weren't introduced until in 1896. Between 1875 and 1902, African-American jockeys won 15 of the 28 running's of the Kentucky Derby®. On May 11, 1892, African-American jockey Alonzo "Lonnie" Clayton, age 15, became the youngest rider to win the Derby.
Thoroughbred owners began sending their successful Derby horses to compete a few weeks later in the Preakness Stakes at the 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.
On May 3, 1952, the first national television coverage of the Kentucky Derby took place. In 1954, the purse exceeded $100,000 for the first time. Secretariat won the 1973 Triple Crown, becoming the first Triple Crown winner in 25 years, and set still-standing track records in two of the three races in the Series, the Kentucky Derby (1:59 2/5), and the Belmont Stakes (2:24). The 2004 Derby marked the first time that jockeys, as a result of a court order, were allowed to wear corporate advertising logos on their clothing.
Many who attend Churchill Downs® for the Derby are unaware that the Kentucky Derby Festivals™ begin weeks before the Kentucky Derby®. Thunder Over Louisville, a multi-million dollar fireworks show, that kicks off the derby festivals 2 weeks before the big race. Chow wagons, carnivals, hot-air balloon races, marathon run, concerts and a spectacular parade that thousands of locals look forward to each year.