Derby History
In what year was the first Kentucky Derby run?
A) 1865
B) 1875
C) 1901
D) 1923
B) 1875
Which horse was the first to win the Triple Crown?
A) War Admiral
B) Sir Barton
C) Citation
D) Man o’ War
B) Sir Barton
In what city is Churchill Downs located?
A) Lexington
B) Frankfort
C) Louisville
D) Bowling Green
C) Louisville
Who has won the most Kentucky Derby races as a jockey?
A) Bill Shoemaker
B) Eddie Arcaro
C) Calvin Borel
D) John Velazquez
B) Eddie Arcaro (5 wins)
What flower is associated with the Kentucky Derby?
A) Roses
B) Lilies
C) Daisies
D) Tulips
A) Roses
Which horse won the Derby in 1973 with a record-breaking time of 1:59.40?
A) Secretariat
B) Seattle Slew
C) Citation
D) American Pharoah
A) Secretariat
What legendary horse lost the Kentucky Derby in 1919 but later became one of the greatest sires in history?
A) Man o’ War
B) Seabiscuit
C) Native Dancer
D) Count Fleet
A) Man o’ War
What is the iconic twin-spired building at Churchill Downs?
A) The Paddock
B) The Clubhouse
C) The Grandstand
D) The Winner’s Circle
C) The Grandstand
Which trainer has won the most Kentucky Derby races?
A) Bob Baffert
B) Ben Jones
C) Todd Pletcher
D) D. Wayne Lukas
A) Bob Baffert
What drink is traditionally associated with the Kentucky Derby?
A) Mint Julep
B) Old Fashioned
C) Manhattan
D) Kentucky Mule
A) Mint Julep
What is the longest gap between wins for a horse racing trainer in Derby history?
A) 35 years
B) 42 years
C) 50 years
D) 62 years
D) 62 years (Charlie Whittingham: 1950–1986)
Which Kentucky Derby winner was owned by the famous sports team owner Arthur Hancock?
A) Sunday Silence
B) War Emblem
C) Charismatic
D) Silver Charm
A) Sunday Silence
How many people typically attend the Kentucky Derby in person?
A) 50,000
B) 100,000
C) 150,000
D) 200,000
C) 150,000
Who was the jockey of Secretariat in the 1973 Kentucky Derby?
A) Bill Shoemaker
B) Eddie Arcaro
C) Ron Turcotte
D) Pat Day
C) Ron Turcotte
What is the official song played as the horses take the track before the race?
A) “Blue Moon of Kentucky”
B) “Run for the Roses”
C) “My Old Kentucky Home”
D) “Kentucky Rain”
C) “My Old Kentucky Home”
How many times has a filly (female horse) won the Kentucky Derby?
A) 3
B) 5
C) 7
D) 10
A) 3
What horse won the 2015 Kentucky Derby and went on to win the first Triple Crown in 37 years?
A) Justify
B) California Chrome
C) American Pharoah
D) Always Dreaming
C) American Pharoah
What is the name of the dirt track at Churchill Downs?
A) The Kentucky Loop
B) The Downs Mile
C) The Derby Oval
D) The Main Track
D) The Main Track
Which jockey won the Kentucky Derby three times in a four-year span from 2007-2010?
A) Calvin Borel
B) Mike Smith
C) Victor Espinoza
D) Gary Stevens
A) Calvin Borel
What is the nickname of the Kentucky Derby?
A) The Greatest Two Minutes in Sports
B) The Run for the Roses
C) The Most Exciting Race in the World
D) Both A and B
D) Both A and B
What is the official distance of the Kentucky Derby?
A) 1 mile
B) 1 1/8 miles
C) 1 1/4 miles
D) 1 1/2 miles
C) 1 1/4 miles
Which horse holds the record for the largest margin of victory in Kentucky Derby history?
A) Bob Baffert
B) Todd Pletcher
C) D. Wayne Lukas
D) Ben Jones
C) D. Wayne Lukas
What is the infield at Churchill Downs best known for?
A) The luxurious seating
B) The wild party atmosphere
C) The exclusive betting areas
D) The winner’s circle
B) The wild party atmosphere
What trainer was known as the “Coach” and won four Kentucky Derbies?
A) Bob Baffert
B) Todd Pletcher
C) D. Wayne Lukas
D) Ben Jones
C) D. Wayne Lukas
Which of these traditions is NOT associated with the Kentucky Derby?
A) Wearing elaborate hats
B) Drinking Mint Juleps
C) Throwing hats onto the track
D) Singing “My Old Kentucky Home”
C) Throwing hats onto the track