The Kentucky Derby is run over a distance of 1¼ miles (10 furlongs or approximately 2,012 meters) on a single lap around the Churchill Downs track in Louisville, Kentucky
. The race typically lasts around two minutes, which is why it is often called "The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports"
. The fastest time recorded at this distance was by Secretariat in 1973, who completed the race in 1 minute 59.4 seconds—a record that still stands today
