The Kentucky Derby is the longest-running sporting event in the United States, having been hosted at Louisville’s Churchill Downs racecourse since 1875. Known as the “Run for the Roses”, the 1.25-mile Derby pits twenty of the racing world’s best promising three-year-old thoroughbreds against one another. Every year on the first Saturday in May, spectators flock to see a select group of jockeys and horses compete for the Triple Crown jewel. Year after year, records are smashed in live attendance and televised viewership.
Betting is an essential component of this iconic event that adds to the excitement and fervor, attracting both seasoned bettors and beginners. The betting excitement of the Derby exudes an electrifying atmosphere akin to the pulsating energy found in a popular casino online. The exhilaration that the race brings to fans and bettors is unparalleled. It is similar to the adrenaline one gets from playing online casino games because of its live-action, unpredictable nature, and live sporting event delight.
The post below breaks down the Derby history from how it began to how it has changed through the years.
The First Kentucky Derby
Meriwether Lewis Clark Jr., the grandson of renowned explorer William Clark of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, founded the Kentucky Derby. Inspired by the European horse races, Clark secured funds to construct Churchill Downs on the property his uncles provided.
When Clark went to Europe in 1872, he saw some of the best horse racing tracks in France and England. The 1.5-mile Derby Stakes, which has been held at Epsom Downs Racecourse in England since the year 1780 and is run by the 12th Earl of Derby and his companions, served as an inspiration for him. After returning to Kentucky, Clark established the Louisville Jockey Club and secured funds to build a racetrack on property that his uncles, John and Henry Churchill, had kindly provided.
Ten thousand spectators saw the inaugural Kentucky Derby on May 17, 1875, which included a 1.5-mile race between fifteen 3-year-old thoroughbreds. Oliver Lewis, an African-American jockey, rode Aristides, the victorious horse.
Evolution of the Derby
Black riders were prominent in the event’s early years, making up 13 of the 15 jockeys in the very first horse races. 11 black jockeys rode fifteen of the victorious horses between 1875 and 1902. But, by the beginning of the twentieth century, African-American jockeys had virtually vanished from horse racing owing to the discrimination and envy of their achievements. The last black jockey who triumphed in the race was Jimmy Winkfield, who did it in 1901 and 1902.
Another modification that took place in the early days of the event was the reduction in the total distance covered. After several racers complained that the distance was too lengthy, the event was shortened from the original 1.5 miles to 1.25 miles in 1896, where it still stands today.
The Biggest Upsets
Without Americans placing huge wagers on the race, the Kentucky Derby would not be such a grandiose athletic spectacle. Every year, a lot of viewers take a chance on a longshot in the hopes of winning an enormous sum of money. It does not pay off in most years. Even if the front-runner is eliminated, the victor is usually not totally unexpected.
However, this isn’t always the case. Here’s a look at some of the biggest upsets in the history of this event:
| Year | Horse | Odds |
| 1913 | Donerail | 91-1 |
| 2022 | Rich Strike | 80-1 |
| 2019 | Country House | 65-1 |
| 2009 | Mine That Bird | 50-1 |
| 2005 | Giacomo | 50-1 |
| 1999 | Charismatic | 31-1 |
| 1995 | Thunder Gulch | 25-1 |
| 2002 | War Emblem | 21-1 |
| 2011 | Animal Kingdom | 21-1 |
| 1992 | Lil E. Tee | 17-1 |
Types of Bets You Can Make
One cannot discuss the “Run for the Roses” without delving into its betting culture. No matter your risk tolerance and bankroll, there are countless ways to wager on the race. A win-or-place wager might be appropriate for those looking for a low-risk play. Betting on the event also provides a high payout if that’s what you’re looking for.
Listed below are the main wagers offered at Churchill Downs:
- Win: Your horse only wins if it finishes first, even if you bet $2 to Win. A $2 stake yielded $26.20 when placed on Medina Spirit, the 2021 winner.
- Place: If you bet $2 on Place, your horse has to finish first or second for you to receive your winnings. But keep in mind that you only receive the Place payout, which is typically less than the Win payout. You do not receive the Win payout.
- Show: A $2 wager on Show requires your horse to come in first, second, or third. It is important to keep in mind that you will only receive the Show payout, as three separate horses receive payments. Following a 25-1 longshot Mandaloun’s $13.40 payout and Hot Rod Charlie’s $5.20 third-place payout, Medina Spirit gave back $7.60 to show.
- Exacta: The race’s top two finishers are chosen in precise order for the Exacta. Using a $2 Exacta box is a typical strategy when playing Exacta. A $2 Exacta box would cost $4 if you were fond of the No.1 and No.2 horses. Either way, you will win if those two horses finish first and second.
- Trifecta: Achieving a Trifecta becomes more complicated since it requires picking the top three finishers in precisely the correct sequence, which is tough in a field of 20 horses. Over the past 20 years, the average $1 payout for a Trifecta has been around $6,686. It costs $60 to use five horses in a $1 trifecta box. Keying one or two horses – the competitors you feel most strongly about – into the lead and spreading into the second and third places is usually a superior strategy.
- Superfecta: Accurately choosing the top four finishers in the race makes the Superfecta even more difficult. Except for the 2020 race, most venues have reduced the Superfecta wager increment to $0.10. But for the 2021 season, Churchill Downs increased it once again to $1.
This is a race where the Superfecta may result in a massive payout. Over the past 22 years, the $1 return has averaged $64,615; the highest return was $432,127 in 2005, the year Giacomo pulled off the major shock.
The “Run for the Roses” Today
The Derby, steeped in history, has developed into “the greatest two minutes in sports.” Commencing with the crowd’s rendition of “My Old Kentucky Home,” the competition concludes with the person who finishes first receiving red roses – the event’s official flower since 1904 – from the organizers.
The audiences have, of course, increased significantly over the years. Ten thousand people saw the inaugural race and enjoyed themselves. 2015 marked the largest attendance, with 170,513 people coming out to the Churchill Downs for the annual celebration. What’s more, the winning purse has increased dramatically to a whopping $3 million.
The Lasting Spectacle of the Kentucky Derby
The Kentucky Derby is an example of the timeless appeal of horse racing and its ability to endure across generations. From the loud hooves on the tracks of Churchill Downs to the stunning hats worn by the spectators, this event combines tradition, sport, and history into one exciting tapestry. Its century-long voyage represents not merely a race but a global cultural phenomenon.