Background information on the Kentucky Derby


The Kentucky Derby has a rich history which most horse racing fans admire. The races are held annually during summer so that infield revelers can soak in the brightness of the sun as they cheer their favorite horses. Kentucky Derby race is held on a yearly basis at Louisville Kentucky.

Many people all around USA have nicknamed the event as ‘race for the roses’ due to the bunch of roses the winner is usually showered with immediately after the race. These 554 red roses are blanket onto Derby Winners on a yearly basis. Long ago the derby track was 1.5 miles long but since the distance was too long for colts event organizers changed the distance to 1.25 miles. Dating back to 1875 this grade 1 racing event is used to identify the swiftest and mightiest contenders in the racing field. Most racers at this event come from horse racing family lineages that are always out to outdo one another at the racing field. However, the Kentucky Derby is not tied to them alone as any eligible contestant can participate.

Most Kentucky Derby horse racing lovers remember the legend of Secretariat. This colt was born in 1970 and three years later it won the first United States horse racing Triple Crown. However, the term thoroughbred did not come into use until 1930 when the second Triple Crown winner ‘Gallant fox’ took center stage. It is at this time that an American Sportswriter by the name Charles Hatton coined in the phrase. The Kentucky Derby is the longest running sporting event in the history of sports in the United States.

Also common at the race are ice cold drinks referred to as Mint Juleps. Before the race starts, the jubilant Louisville University matching band musicians play a song to praise the rich history and resources found in the state of Kentucky; including the Kentucky Derby. Louis Clark the event’s founder fashioned the event to represent the three main horse events in UK. The sitting capacity at the Kentucky Derby Churchill Downs field is about 150,000 fans. The Kentucky Derby race field is divided into various social class compartments. Expensive boxes are meant for millionaires while an infield houses the rowdy fans.