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Galloping through history at Churchill Downs: Kentucky Derby's evolution over 150 years

This 1933 photograph, showing the furious stretch battle between jockeys Don Meade on Brokers Tip (right) and Herb Fisher on Head Play, at the finish of the 1933 Kentucky Derby, was almost an accident. Courier-Journal photographer Wallace Lowery lay on the ground, stuck his camera under the rail and shot. This picture is the result. It is probably the most widely circulated picture in the history of the Derby.
This 1933 photograph, showing the furious stretch battle between jockeys Don Meade on Brokers Tip (right) and Herb Fisher on Head Play, at the finish of the 1933 Kentucky Derby, was almost an accident. Courier-Journal photographer Wallace Lowery lay on the ground, stuck his camera under the rail and shot. This picture is the result. It is probably the most widely circulated picture in the history of the Derby.
Wallace Lowery, Courier Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK
Jon Court, aboard Optimizer, in the 2012 Kentucky Derby.
Jon Court, aboard Optimizer, in the 2012 Kentucky Derby.
Michael Clevenger, Courier Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK
Churchill Downs, Louisville, Ky., Derby day April 29, 1901.
Churchill Downs, Louisville, Ky., Derby day April 29, 1901.
Library Of Congress
May 4, 2013; Louisville, KY, USA; Jan Beaty walks through the paddock area while wearing a Derby hat before the 2013 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
May 4, 2013; Louisville, KY, USA; Jan Beaty walks through the paddock area while wearing a Derby hat before the 2013 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Jerry Lai, USA TODAY Sports
Fans cheer on horses in the paddock at Churchill Downs on Derby Day in 1991
Fans cheer on horses in the paddock at Churchill Downs on Derby Day in 1991
Courier Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK
Jockey's weighing in on Kentucky Derby day at Churchill Downs in May 1940.
Jockey's weighing in on Kentucky Derby day at Churchill Downs in May 1940.
H. Harold Davis, Courier Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK
Actor, comedian Bob Hope is surrounded by photographers while attending the Kentucky Derby on May 6, 1950.
Actor, comedian Bob Hope is surrounded by photographers while attending the Kentucky Derby on May 6, 1950.
Robert Steinau, Courier Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK
Jockey Ron Turcotte guides Secretariat toward the finish line to win the 1973 Kentucky Derby.
Jockey Ron Turcotte guides Secretariat toward the finish line to win the 1973 Kentucky Derby.
Rich Nugent, Courier Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK
Two men show off their unusual facial and hairstyles at the Kentucky Derby on May 1, 1982.
Two men show off their unusual facial and hairstyles at the Kentucky Derby on May 1, 1982.
Scott Goldsmith, Courier Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK
Racing fans circle horses names in a program during the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, May 6, 2023 at Churchill Downs in Louisville.
Racing fans circle horses names in a program during the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, May 6, 2023 at Churchill Downs in Louisville.
Grace Hollars, IndyStar/USA TODAY Network
A woman looks down on the track at Churchill Downs from Millionaires Row. By Alan Lessig, The Courier-Journal. May 7, 1992.
A woman looks down on the track at Churchill Downs from Millionaires Row. By Alan Lessig, The Courier-Journal. May 7, 1992.
Alan Lessig, Courier Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK
2019 view of the statue of the first Kentucky Derby winner Aristides before the 145th running of the Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs. Aristides, with Oliver Lewis aboard, won the first Kentucky Derby in 1875 at the new Louisville Jockey Club, covering the 1 1/2- mile course in 2:37 3/4 to defeat 14 competitors. The track, later called Churchill Downs, is a creation of Meriwether Lewis Clark, a grandson of explorer William Clark of the Lewis & Clark Expedition. A crowd of 10,000 watches the first Derby, which now draws more than 100,000 people each year.
2019 view of the statue of the first Kentucky Derby winner Aristides before the 145th running of the Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs. Aristides, with Oliver Lewis aboard, won the first Kentucky Derby in 1875 at the new Louisville Jockey Club, covering the 1 1/2- mile course in 2:37 3/4 to defeat 14 competitors. The track, later called Churchill Downs, is a creation of Meriwether Lewis Clark, a grandson of explorer William Clark of the Lewis & Clark Expedition. A crowd of 10,000 watches the first Derby, which now draws more than 100,000 people each year.
Jim Owens, USA TODAY Sports
The start of a race on Derby day at Churchill Downs using a starting gate, May 5, 1936.
The start of a race on Derby day at Churchill Downs using a starting gate, May 5, 1936.
Courier Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK
Kentucky Derby fashion at Churchill Downs, May 6, 2023
Kentucky Derby fashion at Churchill Downs, May 6, 2023
Jeff Faughender, Courier Journal/USA TODAY Network
Fashion models pose the starting gate at Churchill Downs, wearing the latest styles for the upcoming Kentucky Derby in 1965.
Fashion models pose the starting gate at Churchill Downs, wearing the latest styles for the upcoming Kentucky Derby in 1965.
Larry Spitzer, Courier Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK
Jockey John Valazquez was all smiles as he leads 2021 Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit into the winners circle after the race. Medina Spirit, trained by Bob Baffert, is his seventh Kentucky Derby winner. Medina Spirit, trained by Bob Baffert, was disqualified as the winner of the Kentucky Derby 2021 and Mandaloun, trained by Brad Cox, was declared the winner.
Jockey John Valazquez was all smiles as he leads 2021 Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit into the winners circle after the race. Medina Spirit, trained by Bob Baffert, is his seventh Kentucky Derby winner. Medina Spirit, trained by Bob Baffert, was disqualified as the winner of the Kentucky Derby 2021 and Mandaloun, trained by Brad Cox, was declared the winner.
Pat McDonogh, Courier Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK
Joe Meurer, 16, of Bullitt County, carried trash from the Churchill Downs infield in 1998. Saturday's crowd of 143,215 made for a giant mess, and another member of the cleanup crew, Brian Shore, 16, said, "It's all the trash in the world, I think.''
Joe Meurer, 16, of Bullitt County, carried trash from the Churchill Downs infield in 1998. Saturday's crowd of 143,215 made for a giant mess, and another member of the cleanup crew, Brian Shore, 16, said, "It's all the trash in the world, I think.''
Pat McDonogh, Courier Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK
Ronald Reagan, then Governor of California waves to a fan at the Kentucky Derby. Reagan was enjoying the day with President Richard Nixon, on left, looking upward. Reagan went on to become President as well in 1980. May 3, 1969 1969 Reagan Nixon Derby Rs
Ronald Reagan, then Governor of California waves to a fan at the Kentucky Derby. Reagan was enjoying the day with President Richard Nixon, on left, looking upward. Reagan went on to become President as well in 1980. May 3, 1969 1969 Reagan Nixon Derby Rs
By Robert Steinau, By Robert Steinau, The Courier-Journal., Louisville Courier Journal Via Imagn Content Services, LLC
(L-R). Meg Wilson, Lily Verlaine and Ashley Ellerman wore pink and green on Oaks Day at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. on May 5, 2023.
(L-R). Meg Wilson, Lily Verlaine and Ashley Ellerman wore pink and green on Oaks Day at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. on May 5, 2023.
Sam Upshaw Jr., Courier Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK