Woodford Reserve, the Presenting Sponsor of the Kentucky Derby, is honoring "The Greatest Two Minutes in Sports" with the release of its 2023 commemorative Kentucky Derby bottle. This year, we celebrate the 50th anniversary of Secretariat's stunning 1973 Derby win, still the fastest in history at 1:59 2/5.

Deep-seated in tradition, the Derby has evolved into what is known as "the greatest two minutes in sports." The race begins with the crowd singing along to "My Old Kentucky Home," and ends with the winner receiving red roses, which have been the official flower of the race since 1904.

The Derby is known as "The Run for the Roses," as the winning horse is draped in a blanket of roses. Lasting approximately two minutes, the race has also been called "The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports" or "The Fastest Two Minutes in Sports." It is preceded by the two-week-long Kentucky Derby Festival.

10 Kentucky Derby facts

• Meriwether Lewis Clark Jr.
• African American jockeys won 15 of the first 28 Kentucky Derbies.
• Horses with a name starting with the letter S have won the Kentucky Derby 19 times, more than any other letter.

When Is the Kentucky Derby?

• It's the Longest-Running Sporting Event in the U.S.
• The Trophy Is Made of Real Gold.
• The Derby Has an Official Cocktail.
• This Is the 148th Year of the Derby.
• The Hats Weren't Always a Tradition.
• The Race Has an Official Flower.
• The Rose Garland Weighs More Than 40 Pounds.

The Run for the Roses The Derby is known as "The Run for the Roses," as the winning horse is draped in a blanket of roses. Lasting approximately two minutes, the race has also been called "The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports" or "The Fastest Two Minutes in Sports." It is preceded by the two-week-long Kentucky Derby Festival.