On this day in 1875 the first Kentucky Derby was run at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Aristides was the winner, ridden by jockey Oliver Lewis. Ansel Williamson was Aristides trainer, the owner of the winning horse was H.P. McGrath.  Aristides ran the 1.5 mile race in 2 minutes 37.75 seconds which was a record at that time for that length. 15 horses ran in the race and the winning purse was $2850. The winning purse of this years Kentucky Derby was $2, 284, 700.

The distance of the race was changed in 1896 to its current 1 1/4 miles.