Horse Betting: History of the Kentucky Derby
The Kentucky Derby is a Grade one stakes race for three-year-old Thoroughbred horses. The event is held at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, on the first Saturday of every May. The Kentucky Derby is considered “the most exciting two minutes in sports,” and called “The Run for the Roses” for the blanket of roses draped over the winner after the race. It is the first leg of the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing, and is the oldest organized sporting event of any kind in the South, and the second oldest in the entire nation (Only Saratoga is older). The Kentucky Derby typically draws around 155,000 fans each year for those who enjoy horse races and for those who love horse betting.
From the time the region was settled in the late 18th century, Kentucky has been a major center for horse breeding and racing. The Kentucky Derby was first run at 1.5 miles (2.4KM), which is the same distance as the Epsom Derby and the Grand Prix de Paris. In 1896, the distance was changed to 1.25 miles. On May 17, 1875, a field of 15 three-year-old horses held the first Derby in front of a crowd of an estimated 10,000 onlookers. A colt named Aristides, who was trained by future Hall of Famer Ansel Williamson, won the inaugural Derby.
Although the first race proved a success, the track ran into financial difficulties, and in 1894 the New Louisville Jockey Club was incorporated with new capitalization and improved facilities. Despite this, the business floundered until 1902, when Col. Matt Winn of Louisville put a syndicate of businessmen together and acquired the facility. Under Winn, Churchill Downs prospered and the Kentucky Derby became the biggest and most well known horse race in America and one of the premier events for horse betting.
The fastest time ever run in the Kentucky Derby at its present distance was set in 1973 at one minute 59 2/5 seconds, when Secretariat broke the record set by Northern Dance in 1964.
The Kentucky Derby and other horse races offer the opportunity for online horse betting. At www.TVG.com, people can bet on their favorite horses with ease and can instantly receive their winnings!