The popular Derby nickname“Run for the Roses,” coined by sports columnist Bill Corum in 1925, is reflected in the blanket of red roses draped over the victorious horse after the race, a tradition that dates to at least 1932. The tradition of playing Stephen Foster’s “My Old Kentucky ...
Kentucky Derby timeline 1875 First Kentucky Derby Held The first Kentucky Derby race is held, and the winner completes 1.5 miles in 2 minutes and 36 seconds. 1945 First Postponement of the Derby Due to WW1, the Kentucky Derby is postponed for the first time in history as horses are being...