The Kentucky Derby
is a Grade I stakes race for three year-old thoroughbred horses, held annually in Louisville, Kentucky, on the first Saturday in May,
capping the two-week-long Kentucky Derby Festival. The race is one and a quarter miles (2 km) at Churchill Downs. Colts and geldings carry 126 pounds (57.2 kg) and fillies 121 pounds (54.9 kg). The race is known in the United States as "The Most Exciting Two Minutes
in Sports" for its approximate duration, and is also called "The Run for the Roses" for the blanket of roses
draped over the winner. It is the first leg of the United
States Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing and is followed
by the Preakness Stakes then the Belmont Stakes
