Since 1875, the Kentucky Derby has been held at the beautiful Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. The 2022 race is set for 6:57pm local time on Saturday, 7th May.

The race is one and a quarter-miles (2 km) for three-year-old Thoroughbred horses and is known in the US as “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports” or “The Fastest Two Minutes in Sports” for its approximate duration. It is also called “The Run for the Roses” for the blanket of 554 roses draped over the winner.

The Kentucky Derby has been staged on the first Saturday in May every year since 1946, with two exceptions.

The 1945 Derby was held June 9 because of World War II and the 2020 Kentucky Derby was held September 5 after it was moved over fears of the coronavirus pandemic.

Fans were not allowed at Churchill Downs in 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic, and the 2021 crowd was limited because of the pandemic, with an announced attendance of 51,838.

That's a far cry from pre-pandemic numbers, as 150,729 attended the Kentucky Derby in 2019 and the record 170,000 in 2015.  According to Louisville Tourism CEO Cleo Battle the excitement approaching this year's Derby is "unparalleled." 

"Expectations are riding high for this entire Derby Festival season to be consistent with pre-pandemic levels, fetching the typical $400 million this top tourism driver generates for Louisville annually," Battle said. "Early signs look very promising for a banner Derby season."

From the disqualification of Maximum Security in 2019 to the coronavirus-delayed race in 2020 to last year's controversy surrounding trainer Bob Baffert and winner Medina Spirit, the Kentucky Derby has produced more than its fair share of drama in the past three years.

This iconic race is full of traditions, from sipping on refreshing Mint Juleps to wearing extravagant hats.

Only 3-year-old Thoroughbreds can qualify for the Kentucky Derby. Eligible horses compete in the Road to the Kentucky Derby, a series of 35 races around the world. Horses win points for finishing in the top four spots, and the 20 horses with the most points at the end of the series gain entry into the Derby.

The winner takes home $1.86 million, second place gets $600,000, third place gets $300,000, fourth place gets $150,000 and fifth place gets $90,000.

It is the first leg of the United States Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing and is followed by the Preakness Stakes then the Belmont Stakes.