UPFRONT/GO
A Race Like No Other
The Kentucky Derby celebrates its 150th annual running at Louisville’s Churchill Downs on Saturday, May 4. Some things you may not know:
2023 Kentucky Derby
• More than 125,000 mint juleps are consumed at Churchill Downs over two days: Saturday’s Derby Day and Friday’s Kentucky Oaks day.
• Picking the winner used to be easier. The smallest field was three horses, in 1892 and 1905. In modern times, the race routinely starts with 20 in the field.
• How much money is bet on Derby Day? In 2023, a record $288.7 million was wagered across 14 races.
• The best betting payday for a winner was in 1913, when Donerail went off at 91-1.
• Horse racing is called the sport of kings, but it has attracted presidents too. Richard Nixon went to the Derby while in office. Eight former or soon-to-be presidents have also attended the race.
• The winning horse in the Run for the Roses gets a garland of red roses. It takes more than 400 flowers to make the fancy accessory. —Michael Grant