KENTUCKY DERBY

• CHURCHILL DOWNS IN LOUISVILLE

• FIRST SATURDAY IN MAY

MAY 17, 1875

• First Kentucky Derby was won by Aristides. Oliver Lewis, a black jockey won the first race.

• Admission to the first derby was only 50 cents.

RUN FOR THE ROSES

• The winning horse receives a garland of red roses and a large trophy. This trophy is worth $100,000!!!

• The garland is made by Kroger and the public is invited to watch each year.

Preparing the Red Rose Garland

The Kentucky Derby Trophy• This trophy is worth

$100,000!!!• Trophies were given

sporadically until 1924, the 50th Kentucky Derby.

• The design has been changed only twice (75th and 100th run).

• The 132nd run trophy has 300 rubies representing rose garland and a band of 12 emeralds below the nose. Just below the rim is a band of 50 rubies set in 18 karat gold!

THE RACE

• The race distance was 1 ½ miles for the first 20 years.

• The race distance is now 1 ¼ miles.

• Sometimes called the “most exciting two minutes in sports”.

THE RACE

• 3 year old horses run in the derby.

• Each colt must carry 126 pounds.

• Each filly must carry 121 pounds.

JOCKEYS• Each jockey weighs

around 110 pounds.• Equipment includes

saddle, whip, boots, safety helmet and silks.

• Each owner has a special silk design.

• Different silk patterns help people keep track of their horses as they race.

DERBY FESTIVAL

• Activities are planned for the two weeks prior to the race.

• THUNDER OVER LOUISVILLE is a fireworks display over the Ohio river.

• Steamboat races, Pegasus Parade, hot air balloon race, Governor's breakfast and an air show are other activities during the week.

HOT AIR BALOON RACE

• The hot air balloon race starts at the fair grounds.

• Balloons try to fly to a target and drop a flour sack on a bull’s eye.

• The closest one wins the race.

KENTUCKY OAKS

• On the first Friday in May the Kentucky Oaks race is held at Churchill Downs.

• This race is only for fillies (girl horses).

MORE HATS!!

AND EVEN WILDER HATS!

131st Derby Winner

Giacomo and Mike Smith with the Derby winner's roses.

132nd Derby

• May 6, 2006

• Tickets for “Millionaires Row”$3395 - $4500

• VIP Tickets $1250 - $4500

• Tickets for grandstand $395 - $995

• Infield tickets $40 - $395

Who Will Win This Year?

A.P. WarriorBarbaro

Bluegrass CatBob and JohnBrother Derek

Cause to BelieveDeputy GlittersFirst Samurai

JazilKeyed Entry

Lawyer RonLike New

Point DeterminedPrivate Vow

Sharp HumorSinister Minister

SteppenwolferSunriver

Sweetnorthernsaint

Note: The field changes constantly. This may not include EVERY horse (and some may be scratched before Derby Day!!!).

The Kentucky Derby

• First Saturday in May

• 3 year old horses

• Two week long Derby Festival precedes the race.

• Many famous people, politicians, people from around the world visit Kentucky for the Derby.

Credits

• Information and pictures taken from churchilldowns.com , kdf.org , derbymuseum.org

• http://www.horse-races.net/library/tc05/tc-sunking.htm

• http://www.ticketsquick.com/KentuckyDerby.shtm

• http://www.horse-races.net/library/derby06-contenders.htm

• http://www.kentuckyderby.info/kentuckyderby-trophy.php

• http://www.stagefronttickets.com/derby/tickets.html

• http://www.horse-races.net/library/derby05-results.htm

• http://cnnstudentnews.cnn.com/2001/TRAVEL/NEWS/05/02/kentucky.derby/vert.winnerscircle.jpg

• Presentation created by Tracy Taylor and adapted by Becky Stephens, Catherine Bright, and updated by Kathye D. Greene (with an idea from Suzannah Whitfield).