The Kentucky Derby or Run for the Roses marks the end of the Kentucky Derby Festival and is held on the first Saturday of May. Along with Preakness and Belmont Stakes, this makes up the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing or Triple Crown. The Kentucky Derby takes place on the Churchill Downs racetrack. 

How does Churchill Downs get its name? 

The foundation for Churchill Downs started in 1872 when Colonel Meriwether Lewis Clark went from Louisville, to attend the Epsom Derby in England. He decided to create a spectacular horse racing event in America.

Upon his return, Clark leased 80 acres of land from his uncles named John and Henry Churchill. Since they were well known there, the track was named Churchill Downs. 

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It opened for its first race on May 19, 1875. Today the Kentucky Derby is among the most famous in the world with its Twin Spires becoming a recognizable symbol among horseracing aficionados. 

The Winners Circle – from simple beginnings to an ornate affair

The Winners Circle is used only once a year, on the day of the derby. It is a heavily decorated area infield, where the Kentucky Derby trophy is presented to the winning owner, jockey, and trainer. 

Earlier, the Winners Circle was simply a small chalk encircled area where the prizes were given. 

What is the racetrack made of? 

The Churchill Downs racetrack uses a mixture of sand, clay, and silt. There are three big piles of dirt on the backside of the racetrack, and a carefully measured mixture is used for the surfaces. 

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With 75% sand, 23% clay, and 2% silt, the surface is safer and more cushioned, allowing horses to remain protected while running. 

The racetrack is 10 furlongs in length, which translates to a mile and a quarter since a furlong is an eighth of a mile. Horse racing is the only sport where length is measured in furlongs.