2010 Kentucky Derby: an American institution revisited

Now that the new year has arrived, all horse racing eyes turn toward the 2010 Kentucky Derby.

There are a few American sporting events that really help to define us as a culture. Surely, the baseball World Series is one of those, generating an exciting present day event that at the same time contains so much history and all of the emotion that surrounded those games in the past. It is the fact that succeeding generations have shared this same experience that makes it so special. Another one of those seminal events that holds a special place in the American collective consciousness is the Kentucky Derby, held each year underneath the stately twin spires of Churchill Downs in beautiful Louisville, Kentucky.

Tracing the history of the Kentucky Derby brings us all the way back to 1875, the year that Churchill Downs opened its doors--and the initial Derby was run in that opening year. There are two meetings each year at Churchill, and though the Kentucky Derby is the headline evet, there are other major races run at the track, including: the Kentucky Oaks the day before Derby day; the Grade I Humana Distaff Handicap; the Woodford Reserve Turf Classic Stakes; and the Stephen Foster Handicap.

Every true horse racing fan should make the pilgrimage to Kentucky to see the Derby. But beyond that, perhaps every American should take in the sights and sounds of Churchill Downs on the first Saturday in May, at least once, even if they don't follow racing the rest of the year.

If you have your 2010 Kentucky Derby tickets or are looking for some, prepare for your visit by keeping track of all the happenings at 2010 Kentucky Derby Online Magazine.