Location: Churchill Downs, Louisville, Kentucky
Significance: It’s the longest continuously held sporting event in the United States.
Nickname: “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports”
Why It Stands Out:
Prestige: It’s the first leg of the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing, followed by the Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes.
Tradition: Attendees often dress in elaborate outfits and hats, and the event features mint juleps, Southern cuisine, and the playing of “My Old Kentucky Home.”
Cultural Impact: The Derby is not just a horse race—it’s a cultural phenomenon that draws celebrities, politicians, and global media.
The Derby has become a symbol of Kentucky’s identity and heritage, blending sport, Southern tradition, and spectacle.
