There’s plenty of noise about ponies around this time of year. The 142nd running of the Kentucky Derby is inching closer and closer as the weekend approaches. Unbeknownst to most fans is the deep-seated history of the Run for the Roses. From its humble and optimistic beginnings to the numerous records set, let’s take a look at the rich history of the Kentucky Derby and with it, the Triple Crown.
Kentucky Derby and Triple Crown History, Records and Facts
History of the Kentucky Derby
The Kentucky Derby began in 1872. Meriweather Lewis Clark travelled to Europe, where he attended the Epsom Derby in England. It was a well-known horse race run since 1780 and also partnered with the French Jockey Club, a group which developed another popular horse race event, the Grand Prix de Paris Longchamps.
Clark was inspired by what he saw in his travels and experiences. He became determined to create a premier horse racing event back stateside. With the help from his uncles, John and Henry Churchill, he acquired the land to develop a racetrack. He started formally organizing a group which ended up becoming the Louisville Jockey Club.
On May 17, 1875, a racetrack funded by the Louisville Jockey Club was built and they sponsored the very first Kentucky Derby. 15 three-year-old thoroughbred horses raced 1 ½ miles in front of approximately 10,000 spectators. Aristides was the first winner of the Derby.
The Derby has undergone various changes throughout the centuries. The distance of the race was shortened to 1 ¼ miles. The long tradition of draping the winning horse with a garland of horses was also introduced. Plenty more changed en route to the Kentucky Derby we now know today.
History of the Triple Crown
The inauguration of the Kentucky Derby in 1875 made the Triple Crown Series a possibility. The Belmont Stakes was first run in 1867 and the Preakness in 1873. Daily Racing Form writer Charles Hatton was commonly credited for originating the Triple Crown label to reference the three races in 1930 despite the term’s use as early as 1923.
Prior to 1931, the order of the Triple Crown varied. The Preakness was run before the Kentucky Derby eleven times, unlike the reverse order we are now used to today. On May 12, 1917 and May 13, 1922, the Derby and the Preakness Stakes were even run on the same day. The order of the Triple Crown was reordered in 1931; the Kentucky Derby came first, the Preakness second and the Belmont Stakes third, which stands until today.
Winning the Triple Crown has always been difficult. It was even impossible in 1917 and 1922 due to the Preakness and Derby coinciding. Only 12 horses have won the Triple Crown, most recently American Pharoah in 2015.
Kentucky Derby Records
Most wins by a Jockey
Eddie Arcaro (5) – 1938, 1941, 1945, 1948, 1952
Bill Hartack (5) – 1957, 1960, 1962, 1964, 1969
Most wins by a trainer
Ben A. Jones (6) – 1938, 1941, 1944, 1948, 1949, 1952
Donerail won the Derby as a 91-to-1 underdog in 1913
*While the odds aren’t that steep, Majesto, Trojan Nation and Oscar Nominated are the longest shots this year each at +4,000. More unlikely winners have won so why not them?
Calvin Borel is the only jockey to win three out of four consecutive Kentucky Derbys. He won with Street Sense in 2007, with Mine That Bird in 2009 and with Super Saver in 2010.
Victor Espinoza is closing in on Borel’s record winning the Derby in 2014 and 2015. He can win his third straight and fourth overall Derby this weekend riding Whitmore (+1,500).
Triple Crown Records and Some Notable Achievements
Secretariat holds the stakes record for each of the Triple Crown races. He finished the Kentucky Derby in 1:59.40, the Preakness Stakes in 1:53, and the Belmont Stakes (2:24).
Steve Cauthen became the youngest jockey to win the Triple Crown, riding Affirmed at age 18 in 1978.
Victor Espinoza became the oldest jockey to win the Triple Crown, riding American Pharoah at age 43 in 2015.
American Pharoah became the first horse to win the Triple Crown and the Breeders’ Classic Cup, a feat that came to be known as the Grand Slam.
The Triple Crown has only been won in consecutive years once in its history; 1977 by Seattle Slew and 1978 by Affirmed.
