Kentucky Derby 1.0: How far do the horses run?
New to the Kentucky Derby? Here is what you need to know.
For one thing, it's more than just a two-minute (or so) race. Louisville, Ky., home to Churchill Downs, host weeks of activities surrounding the race, most of them part of the Kentucky Derby Festival. We're talking marathons, balloon races, even a steamboat race on the Ohio River.
But as for the race itself, we'll try to answer your questions (with help from Churchill Downs).
How far is the Kentucky Derby distance?
For the last 125 years, the Derby has been run at 1 1/4 miles. You might also hear the distance referred to as 10 furlongs – a furlong is 1/8 of a mile.
For its first 21 runnings, the Derby was 1 1/2 miles. The distance changed in 1896.
In case you're wondering, 1 1/4 miles is equivalent to 2,011.68 meters, 2,200 yards, 6,600 feet or 79,200 inches.
What time is the Kentucky Derby?
Post time is 6:57 p.m. EDT.
What about the other races in the Triple Crown?
The Preakness Stakes at Pimlico, typically held two weeks after the Kentucky Derby, is run at 1 3/16 miles.
The Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park, typically held three weeks after the Preakness, is 1 1/2 miles.
Is the Kentucky Derby always on the first Saturday in May?
It was for 73 straight years until 2020, when it was postponed to the first Saturday in September because of the COVID pandemic. No fans were allowed, though they will be this year.
Before 1946, it was held on the first Saturday in May 15 times, but not consecutively.
The Derby was staged outside of May on two other occasions: Monday, April 29, 1901, and Saturday, June 9, 1945.
What's the deal with the Twin Spires?
The iconic spires were designed for ornamental purposes by 24-year-old Joseph Baldez and built in 1894-95. They are 120 feet high.
What is the Kentucky Oaks?
This race, typically run on the Friday before the Derby, is sort of the equivalent for 3-year-old fillies. (The Derby is for 3-year-old colts and fillies, but fillies rarely enter.) It is run at 1 1/8 miles.