Churchill Downs to help him run the rack was Col. Matt Winn of Louisville. Churchill Downs prospered and the Kentucky Derby then became the preeminent stakes race for three-year-old thoroughbred horses in North America. During that early period, a new clubhouse was built in order to promote social interaction, and new events such as steeplechases, automobile races, and band concerts were held at the track. The State Fair was held on the grounds, featuring the odd spectacle of two locomotives being intentionally crashed head-on in the infield. On June 5, 1907, African American jockey James Lee set a record that has never
Clark Handicap the Clark Handicap has been run at various distances: The race was run in two divisions in 1953. Speed record: (at current distance of miles) † In 2003, Evening Attire won the race but was disqualified for interference in the stretch and set back to second.‡ In 2010, Successful Dan won the race but was disqualified and placed third for interference. Clark Handicap The Clark Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually in late November at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Among the oldest races in the United States, it was first run in 1875, the year the