2018 Kentucky Derby Facts & History
2:31 AMPosted by: John S Kiernan
Some call it the “most exciting two minutes in sports,” in reference to the speed of good, old-fashioned horse power and the millions of dollars that ride on the outcome. Others call it the “run for the roses,” given the giant floral garnish donned by the fastest pair in the winner’s circle. But you probably know this annual celebration of hats, horses and hooch as the Kentucky Derby, or the first leg of the Triple Crown.
This year marks the 144th running of the Kentucky Derby, held each May at Louisville’s historic Churchill Downs Racetrack. Yet only 35 mounts have followed up a Derby victory with a win in the Triple Crown’s second leg, the Preakness Stakes. And a mere 12 have then sealed the deal in the Belmont Stakes. The chance to see history is nevertheless just one element of what makes the Kentucky Derby so special.
More than 120,000 Mint Juleps are served each year, for one thing. And the most fashionable headgear is on display, as roughly 90% of female attendees embrace the time-honored tradition of big hats at the race track. It’s really just a big party. And to help get you in the spirit for this year’s festivities, we analyzed all angles of the event, from betting slips and boozing to spectator fashion and stud fees, in search of the best Kentucky Derby fun facts we could find. You can check them all out in the infographic below. We also convened a panel of leading industry experts for Derby scouting reports and insights into major issues facing horseracing.
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We posed the following questions to a panel of leading horseracing experts in order to better understand both the Kentucky Derby and the equine industry more generally. You can check out their bios and responses below.
- What measures should be adopted to better protect the health and well-being of race horses?
- Would a Triple Crown winner help revive horse racing as a spectator sport in the US?
- Who do you think will win this year’s Kentucky Derby?
Amy McLean Equine Lecturer in the Department of Animal Science at the University of California Davis
Kris Hiney Assistant Professor and Extension Equine Specialist at Oklahoma State University
Rebecca Gunderson Equine and Environmental Science Coordinator at the University of Maryland
Carey A. Williams Associate Director of Outreach and Associate Professor in the Department of Animal Sciences at Rutgers University
What measures should be adopted to better protect the health and well-being of race horses?
Ultimately, I would love to see the horses grow up a little more and race at a later age, but I’m always impressed with what trainers get out of 3-year-olds. I do believe their longevity would increase though.
Would a Triple Crown winner help revive horse racing as a spectator sport in the U.S.?
The fans love the exciting Triple Crown race and we had several that came close, such as California Chrome before American Pharaoh who won in 2015 and won the Breeders' Cup. I hope to see another Triple Crown winner in my life time. But what a great horse and story behind him. It’s a huge feat for these horses, a true test of endurance, training and most of all, heart. I do think it’s the challenge that keeps people's attention to racing in May and June, but seems to wax and wane according to whether the Derby winner wins the second leg, the Preakness -- then everyone becomes a racing fan and watches the third leg, the Belmont, if not a lot of people seem to lose interest.
I think people taking a trip to a track and watching horses run live, hearing their hooves coming down the track and the excitement you experience cheering for a favorite would help the most. There is nothing like seeing a race live.
Who do you think will win this year’s Kentucky Derby?
I'm still studying the field but I’m excited to see Victor Espinoza on his new mount Bolt d'Oro. Bravazo is another one I would like to watch, great trainer, Wayne D. Lukas, bred at the world-renowned farms, Calumet, and loved watching this horse's sire years ago, Awesome again.
Kris Hiney Assistant Professor and Extension Equine Specialist at Oklahoma State University
What measures should be adopted to better protect the health and well-being of race horses?
Owners need to be realistic about the talent of their horse, and also be willing to give the horse the rest that it needs before running it back. Work with trainers that advocate for the best interest of the horse and, again, be willing to ask tough questions about medical care, treatments, etc.
Would a Triple Crown winner help revive horse racing as a spectator sport in the U.S.?
We had a Triple Crown winner American Pharaoh -- he increased viewership during his career, but I’ll admit, I was terrified that he would break down on TV with the increased audience -- and when they ran him again in the Breeders Cup after the Triple Crown. The general population still loves horses, but we have a lot to compete with.
Who do you think will win this year’s Kentucky Derby?
As for the Derby -- let’s go with Audible.
Rebecca Gunderson Equine and Environmental Science Coordinator at the University of Maryland
What measures should be adopted to better protect the health and well-being of race horses?
I feel that the industry does a very good job right now to protect the health and well-being of race horses, by making every tract the exact same in how the horses are processed in and out, and having a better sanitation process for the horse stalls to limit the number of horses that get ill.
Would a Triple Crown winner help revive horse racing as a spectator sport in the U.S.?
I think it would, for a while. But after the "excitement" of a Triple Crown winner wears off, I think it will die down again.
Who do you think will win this year’s Kentucky Derby?
Magnum Moon.
Carey A. Williams Associate Director of Outreach and Associate Professor in the Department of Animal Sciences at Rutgers University
What measures should be adopted to better protect the health and well-being of race horses?
As for the health and well-being, I think they have come a long way from even a few years back, especially with the drug testing, and getting the lower limits of some of the tests even lower than before so we are getting closer to a “no tolerance” policy. However, some things still sneak through and some things that are not being tested for yet are being abused. So, it will be a never-ending battle with science keeping up with the trainers to see what to test for next and what the threshold should be.
Would a Triple Crown winner help revive horse racing as a spectator sport in the U.S.?
We did just recently have a Triple Crown and it did help. However, if there is one every few years, it will take the hype away a little, so I don't mind if we have to wait five or even ten years between Triple Crown winners. I think the media will make what they want out of racing regardless of having a winner or not.
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