What Makes the Kentucky Derby the Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports?
The Kentucky Derby is widely regarded as the most exciting two minutes in sports. It holds the distinction of being the oldest continuous sporting event in the U.S., somehow enduring the Great Depression, two world wars, and even a pandemic. Steeped in tradition, it is a celebration of pageantry and features a plethora of wagers. Let’s delve into the history of the Kentucky Derby, hosted at Churchill Downs.
The Birth of Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby
In 1872, Colonel Meriwether Lewis Clark, the grandson of William Clark of the famed Lewis and Clark expedition, traveled across Europe observing horse racing. During his travels, he contributed to organizing a prestigious race in Paris. Inspired by these experiences, he envisioned creating a similar racing culture in the United States.
How the Kentucky Derby Became an American Icon
Upon his return to Kentucky, Clark played a pivotal role in raising funds to construct what would become Churchill Downs, named after the men who donated the land for its establishment. The inaugural Derby took place in May 1875, featuring 15 horses and an audience of 10,000 spectators.
After some difficult years, Colonel Matt Winn acquired Churchill Downs in 1902 and ushered it into an era of prosperity. Under his stewardship, the Kentucky Derby became the premier stakes race for three-year-old thoroughbred horses in the U.S. The event gained popularity and gradually evolved into a grand spectacle. Winn invited celebrities, transforming race day into the pinnacle of social events.
In 1925, the Derby was broadcast on the radio for the first time via WGN in Chicago and WHAS in Louisville, expanding its audience significantly. By May 1952, the first national television broadcast aired, drawing an estimated 10 to 15 million viewers.
As per tradition, on the first Saturday of May in Louisville, Kentucky, the sports world collectively holds its breath for “the fastest two minutes in sports”—1.25 miles of thunderous, mud-flinging drama.
Timeless Derby Traditions: Mint Juleps, Roses, and Fashion
Over the years, the Kentucky Derby has retained much of its original charm. While the prize purses and crowds have grown significantly, its traditions remain cherished. These include sipping mint juleps, singing “My Old Kentucky Home,” hearing the command “Riders up,” and witnessing the thrill of the race. The winner is adorned with a lush blanket of roses, a tradition that earned the race the nickname “The Run for the Roses.”
Fashion has also become a defining element of Derby day. Clark originally envisioned lavish gatherings to complement the race, and by the 1960s, the presence of TV cameras amplified the tradition of wearing fancy hats.
Secretariat and Other Legends of the Derby
The Kentucky Derby marks the first leg of the American Triple Crown, followed by the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes. Winning the Triple Crown is a prestigious and grueling feat, with races spaced just weeks apart. To date, only 13 horses have achieved this honor, beginning with Sir Barton in 1919.
Other Triple Crown winners include Gallant Fox, Omaha, War Admiral, Whirlaway, Count Fleet, Assault, Citation, and the legendary Secretariat in 1973. The 20th century closed with victories by Seattle Slew and Affirmed. In more recent years, American Pharoah won in 2015, and Justify accomplished the feat in 2018.
Secretariat is often hailed as the greatest racehorse in history. Alongside winning the Triple Crown, he set multiple records during his 16-month racing career, including a sub-two-minute finish at the Kentucky Derby—a record that still stands today. Notably, Secretariat’s heart was more than twice the size of an average racehorse’s, a fact that further underscores his exceptional nature.
Other memorable moments include Diane Crump becoming the first female jockey to ride in the Derby in 1970. She placed 15th out of 18 horses that year. In 1984, the Derby was simulcast at 24 racetracks nationwide, generating record-breaking wagers of nearly $19 million on a single race.
The Kentucky Derby Museum: Preserving the Legacy
The following year, the Kentucky Derby Museum opened at Churchill Downs. In 1986, the racetrack itself was designated a National Historic Landmark. Visitors today can take guided tours and explore an interactive museum that celebrates the Derby’s legacy.
Some Derby moments resonate more deeply with the public than others. Barbaro’s victory in the 2006 Derby, with a commanding six-and-a-half-length lead, captured the nation’s imagination. Tragically, he shattered his leg during the Preakness Stakes, and complications from the injury ultimately led to his death. Today, a bronze statue of Barbaro stands at the entrance of Churchill Downs, honoring his spirit.
For many, the first weekend of May signals the arrival of spring as all eyes turn to Churchill Downs. The Kentucky Derby remains a beloved celebration of tradition and pageantry.
