KENTUCKY DERBY

one of the classic American horse races, established in 1875 and run annually on the first Saturday in May at Churchill Downs track, Louisville, Ky. With the Preakness (run in mid-May) and Belmont (early in June) stakes, it makes up U.S. racing's coveted Triple Crown. The Derby field is limited to three-year-olds; fillies carry 121 pounds and colts 126 pounds. The race distance was reduced in 1896 from 1.5 to its present 1.25 miles (about 2,000 m).