: On race day, the Churchill Downs infield hosts approximately 80,000 people, effectively becoming the third-largest city in Kentucky for a single day. Entertainment and Spectacle

: The winner is draped in a garland of more than 400 red roses, a tradition that began in the late 19th century and became official in 1904. Historical Significance

: Before the race begins, the crowd joins in singing "My Old Kentucky Home," a tradition dating back decades.

: Founded by Meriwether Lewis Clark Jr. in 1875, it was inspired by the Epsom Derby in England.