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The Kentucky Derby is the first of the three thoroughbred races held in the United States each year, known collectively as the Triple Crown. The derby is the first race, the Preakness Stakes is second, and the Belmont Stakes is race number three. It’s held each year at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, on the first Saturday in May, and is preceded by a 2-week festival to celebrate the derby.
Often referred to as “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports,” the Kentucky Derby is a short event, with a length of only one and a quarter miles. That it’s held in Kentucky is no surprise, considering the state’s history of horse breeding and racing. Meriwether Lew Clark, Jr. originally organized the Louisville Jockey Club, after traveling and seeing similar clubs across England and Europe.
His club was designed to raise money to build a quality track. His relatives, John and Henry Churchill, gave him the land and when the track was built in 1937 it was named Churchill Downs after those who provided the real estate. The first Kentucky Derby was held there in 1875. Then, the race was one and a half miles, just like the races Clark saw while visiting abroad. But it was later shortened to one and a quarter miles.
The race was immediately successful, but later financial difficulties saw a group of businessmen take over. It was only then that the Kentucky Derby grew to become the most important thoroughbred race in the United States. No horse over 3 years old can compete. Successful horses then go, a few weeks later, to compete in the Preakness Stakes, and then the Belmont Stakes.
1952 was the first year the Kentucky Derby was televised, and in 1968, the first horse to win the derby to later be disqualified because of the presence of drugs became Dancer’s Image. In 1973, Secretariat set the record for the fastest race, coming in at 1 minute, and 59 and two-fifths of a second.
The Kentucky Derby, though a venerable tradition, has changed with the times and other sports. Beginning in 2004, jockeys could wear corporate logos on their clothing, much like the logos painted on racing cars. And now thanks to a corporate deal, the race is officially called “The Kentucky Derby, present by Yum! Brands.”
A popular Kentucky Derby collectible is the souvenir glass printed with a list of all prior Derby winners. These are used to serve the traditional mint juleps at the race. The best way to get one is, of course, to drink a julep at the derby, but barring that you can find these cups and other race memorabilia in sports shops and places like eBay.
Pictures of winners sometimes signed by the jockeys are a fun type of derby collectible, too. The race is often called “Run for the Roses” because of the blanket of roses, exactly 554, that is draped over the winning horse. Photos of Kentucky Derby winners covered in roses are attractive and easy to display.
Originally posted 2008-12-29 05:00:10. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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