The dust from the ground blows past chaotically as the runners’ legs push past their limits to win the race. These runners aren’t human; they’re horses. Yet, they still do their best, chasing the finish line while carrying their jockey.
The Kentucky Derby has been held annually on the first Saturday of May for 152 years. The race itself is 1 ¼ miles long, and any breed of horse can participate, but they must be three years old.
This year’s Derby was historical, as Cherrie DeVaux became the first woman to win in the 152-year history of the Kentucky Derby. The horse she trained was a colt, a male horse, named Golden Tempo.
Golden Tempo and his jockey were dead last until the final 30 seconds of the 2-minute race. Golden Tempo bolted past all his competitors, his four legs pouncing on the ground explosively to catch up with first and second place. At the last second, Golden Tempo overtook both first and second place, claiming the win by only a head length.
While the race itself is short-lived, there is lots more to do at the Kentucky Derby. One of its most famous activities is its dress code. Although not official, many spectators come to view the derby in extravagant hats and suits in all different colors.
This tradition was created after Meriwether Lewis Clark Jr., the creator of the Kentucky Derby, visited horse derbies in Europe and was mesmerized by the “high society that attended these events.” In trying to mimic the events, he encouraged the spectators at the Kentucky Derby to dress in grand attire. Over the years, this “dress code” has evolved to what we see today.
The Kentucky Derby is one of three races of the Triple Crown Sequence. The other two are the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes. The Preakness Stakes takes place 2 weeks after the Kentucky Derby, and the Belmont Stakes takes place 3 weeks after the Preakness. If you want to watch some live horse racing, check out the Belmont Stakes on June 6.
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