Derby Fun Facts & Traditions:

• The Race: The Derby is a Grade I stakes race for top three-year-old Thoroughbreds, run at a distance of 1 and 1/4 miles. The field is limited to 20 horses, which qualify through a points system in a series of preparatory races.

• "Run for the Roses": The winning horse is draped in a spectacular blanket of over 400 red roses, a tradition that began officially in the 1930’s.

• Fashion and Atmosphere: The event is a grand cultural and social spectacle known for its unique style. On race day, women typically wear large, ornate hats - every hat is unique and each hat is more grand than the next! Men typically wear colorful suits and bow ties. The atmosphere is electric, a lively mix of high fashion with an abundance of fancy food and drink, exciting race moments, and celebrity sightings!

• Traditions: In addition to race day fashion, a few other long-standing traditions include mint juleps and the singing of Stephen Foster's song "My Old Kentucky Home" as the horses parade to the starting gate.

• Triple Crown: The Kentucky Derby is followed by the Preakness Stakes and then the Belmont Stakes. A horse must win all three races in the same year to achieve the prestigious Triple Crown title.