Kentucky ( CNN ) -- The Kentucky Derby is , without a doubt , America 's most iconic horse racing event . England has Royal Ascot , and Australians flock to the Melbourne Cup , but few meetings capture the spirit of a nation quite like the `` Run for the Roses . '' So named for the garland of roses that is draped over the winner , the Kentucky Derby traces its rich history back to 1875 when Colonel Meriwether Lewis Clark Junior decided to inaugurate a race in his home state of Kentucky . Clark -- grandson of William Clark of the historic 19th century Lewis and Clark transcontinental expedition -- had been influenced by a visit to England 's Epsom Derby . Indeed , the Kentucky Derby was originally run over a distance of 1.5 miles -- the same distance as the Epsom event -- before being shortened to its present 1.25 miles in 1896 . The Kentucky Derby is also the first leg in the venerable Triple Crown , the other two legs being the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes . Considered one of the sternest tests in thoroughbred racing , only 11 horses have ever completed the treble , the most recent of which was Affirmed back in 1978 . Jockey Borel 's Kentucky Derby addiction . As the years stretch to decades , the search for that elusive champion capable of following in Affirmed 's footsteps intensifies . A few have come close : in the last decade War Emblem , Funny Cide , Smarty Jones , Afleet Alex and Big Brown have all come within one victory . It 's a far cry from the 1970s , arguably the races ' heyday , when the Triple Crown was won three times -- by Affirmed , Seattle Slew and the great Secretariat . The enormous chestnut affectionately known as `` Big Red '' is probably the most famous winner of the Kentucky Derby . Secretariat was the first horse to win the race in under two minutes , and his record of 1:59.40 still stands today . He became a national celebrity , gracing the covers of Time and Newsweek , following his commanding performances in all three races . His 31-length victory in the Belmont Stakes ranks as one of the finest displays of sporting perfection by any athlete -- human or non-human -- in the 20th century . Secretariat 's dominance in 1973 eclipsed the achievements of one of the sleekest , fastest thoroughbreds ever to grace a racetrack . Had he been born in any other year , Sham would have taken his rightful place among the sport 's greats . His sub-two-minute time in defeat to Secretariat is still the second-fastest Kentucky Derby ever run . But while Secretariat has joined the ranks of the immortals , Sham is a mere footnote in history . African-Americans have played an integral role in the history of the Derby ; indeed , the very first race was won by an African-American jockey ( Oliver Lewis ) and an African-American trainer ( Ansel Williamson ) . In an era when African-Americans were still barred from participating in most mainstream sports ( it would be more than 60 years before Jackie Robinson made his ground-breaking debut for the Brooklyn Dodgers ) , African-American jockeys went on to dominate the early years of the Derby , winning 15 of the first 28 races . That very first Derby was won by Aristides in front of an estimated crowd of 10,000 . Nearly 140 years later , more than 100,000 people are expected to flock to Churchill Downs this weekend for a chance to be a part of America 's oldest continuous sporting event . These days , Kentucky shares its Derby with the world . But it remains , in essence , very local in flavor . The hulking Churchill Downs with its famous twin spires is still imposing , but is showing its age . Outside of the Derby and the Oaks ( the fillies-only race that takes place the day before the Derby ) , most of the racing here is low-grade . Louisville is not a rich town , unlike its well-heeled neighbor Lexington . If the venue feels a little frayed around the edges , that 's because racing here is not a glamorous affair . Once a year , the international racing set descends on Louisville , clogging the skies over the city with private jets . Outrageously-plumed racegoers sip Mint Juleps from air-conditioned boxes while college students on spring break pack the infield . But when the renowned `` fastest two minutes in sport '' are up , the carnival will move on and racing will return to the people of Louisville . Kentucky has been the custodian of the world 's most emblematic race for more than 100 years , and will continue to preserve its unique traditions for many years to come . It does n't get more authentic than this .
America 's first Derby horse race will take place on Saturday . Known as the ` ` Battle of the Roses '' after the variety of flowers all over it . It dates back to 1875 , where African - American jockey and trainer won the first race . Despite its international standing , the race keeps its unique local flavor .