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Kentucky Derby Trivia Quiz

Call it "the most famous two minutes in sports" or "The Run for the Roses," but either way it is the most famous horse race in the world. Here are some questions to test your knowledge.

A multiple-choice quiz by catky. Estimated time: 3 mins.

Author
catky

Time
3 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
175,994

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
816

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. While he didn't actually found the Kentucky Derby, this man is credited with making it such a popular event. Hint

Oliver Lewis

Colonel Matt Winn

Colonel M. Lewis Clark

H. P. McGrath

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Question 2 of 10

2. In what year was the first Kentucky Derby run? Hint

1875

1882

1871

1873

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Question 3 of 10

3. Has the Kentucky Derby ever been cancelled?

Yes

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Question 4 of 10

4. What record was broken at the 1974 Derby? Hint

Smallest field to enter the Derby

Largest attendance

Race time record broken by the winner

Amount bet on the Derby

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Question 5 of 10

5. In which Kentucky city is the Derby run? Hint

Frankfort

Louisville

Bowling Green

Lexington

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Question 6 of 10

6. Which successful jockey finally won his first Kentucky Derby aboard Lil E. Tee in 1992? Hint

Pat Day

Jerry Bailey

Gary Stevens

Chris McCarron

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Question 7 of 10

7. Admission to the infield is free.

True

False

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Question 8 of 10

8. How many fillies ran in the Kentucky Derby during the 20th century? Hint

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Question 9 of 10

9. The sister race to the Derby, held for three year old fillies on the day prior to the Derby, is the _______ ? Hint

Kentucky Mile

Bluegrass Stakes

Kentucky Oaks

Distaff Derby

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Question 10 of 10

10. Secretariat, who won the Triple Crown in 1973, was known by what nickname? Hint

Wunderkind

The King

Big Red

Champ

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. While he didn't actually found the Kentucky Derby, this man is credited with making it such a popular event.

Answer: Colonel Matt Winn

Matt Winn was the marketing king of his time. Colonel M. Lewis Clark was the actual founder of Churchill Downs. H.P McGrath owned Aristides, the first horse to win the Derby and Oliver Lewis was the jockey.

2. In what year was the first Kentucky Derby run?

Answer: 1875

The first Derby was run on May 17, 1875; won by Aristides.

3. Has the Kentucky Derby ever been cancelled?

Answer: No

During World War II, there was some discussion of cancelling the race due to travel restrictions, but it never happened. The 1945 Derby was almost cancelled due to a ban on horse racing, but VE Day came in time to save the race. It was held in June that year instead of May.

4. What record was broken at the 1974 Derby?

Answer: Largest attendance

This was the 100th Derby, and the official attendance was 163,628. Changes to the setup at Churchill Downs mean this figure will probably never be repeated. This Derby also had the largest field ever, with 23 horses in the race.

5. In which Kentucky city is the Derby run?

Answer: Louisville

When Louisville merged its government with Jefferson County in January 2003, the local government plastered signs about its now being the "16 largest city in the USA" at every entrance to the new "metro" area.

6. Which successful jockey finally won his first Kentucky Derby aboard Lil E. Tee in 1992?

Answer: Pat Day

Pat Day had the highest winning percentage of any jockey at Churchill Downs for many years, but the Derby had eluded him for a long time. He succeeded at the age of 38 in 1992; he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1991.

7. Admission to the infield is free.

Answer: False

Even when it was first opened in 1938, admission was 50 cents. By 2004, the price was $40. The tamer crowd tends to congregate at the first turn, with the wildest parties near the third turn.

8. How many fillies ran in the Kentucky Derby during the 20th century?

Answer: 3

Regret in 1915, Genuine Risk in 1980, and Winning Colors in 1988.

9. The sister race to the Derby, held for three year old fillies on the day prior to the Derby, is the _______ ?

Answer: Kentucky Oaks

The Kentucky Oaks has also been run since 1875. The winner receives a garland of lilies, hence the tagline "the lilies for the fillies."

10. Secretariat, who won the Triple Crown in 1973, was known by what nickname?

Answer: Big Red

Man o'War, one of the most famous horses to ever race, was also known by this nickname. Though born in Kentucky, Man o' War never raced in the Derby. Phar Lap, a famous Australian horse who ran in the 1930s, was also known as "Big Red."

Source: Author catky

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor gtho4 before going online.
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