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
Stellar Wind (horse) doing.'". On May 1, Stellar Wind started as the slight favorite in a fourteen-horse field for the Kentucky Oaks, which was contested over nine furlongs at Churchill Downs. She broke poorly and had to stay towards the rear of the field, but made steady progress while being forced to run nine horses wide on the final turn. She kept moving steadily, but never looked likely to win, and finished fourth, beaten 4 3/4 lengths by Lovely Maria, Shook Up, and I'm A Chatterbox. After the race, Espinoza stated: “She broke just a bit slow and that was a problem. I