The Kentucky Derby, often called “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports,” is the premier horse racing event held annually at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. First run in 1875, the race is the oldest continuously held major sporting event in the United States and the first leg of the prestigious Triple Crown of horse racing. The 2024 Kentucky Derby drew over 150,000 fans to Churchill Downs, maintaining its status as a cornerstone of American sporting tradition and a showcase of elite thoroughbred racing.