The Kentucky Derby race is 1¼ miles (10 furlongs) long. The race typically lasts around two minutes, which is why it is often called "The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports" or "The Fastest Two Minutes in Sports"
. Originally, the race was 1½ miles long when it started in 1875, but it was shortened to the current distance of 1¼ miles in 1896 because the longer distance was considered too demanding for three-year-old horses early in the season
. The fastest time recorded for the Kentucky Derby at this distance is 1:59.40, set by Secretariat in 1973, a record that still stands today
