The Kentucky Derby is an American Grade I stakes horse race held annually on the first Saturday in May at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. It is a race for three-year-old Thoroughbreds, run over a distance of 1¼ miles (10 furlongs) on a dirt track. The event is famously known as "The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports®" because the race typically lasts around two minutes
. The Kentucky Derby is the oldest continuously running sports event in the United States, having been inaugurated in 1875. It is the first leg of the prestigious Triple Crown series, followed by the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes. The winning horse is traditionally draped with a blanket of roses, earning the race the nickname "The Run for the Roses"
. The race features a field of up to 20 horses, selected through a points system called the "Road to the Kentucky Derby," which awards points based on performances in qualifying races. Colts and geldings carry 126 pounds, while fillies carry 121 pounds during the race
. The Kentucky Derby draws significant attention for both the sport and its associated traditions, including fashion and festivities. The total purse for the race is substantial, with recent winners receiving millions of dollars
. In summary, the Kentucky Derby is a historic and prestigious horse race that combines high-level Thoroughbred competition with rich cultural traditions, making it one of the most celebrated sporting events in the United States
