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
Arlington Classic 1929–1973, 1977–1987, 1989-1993. Since its inception, the Arlington Classic has been contested over a variety of distances: Speed record: (at current miles distance) Largest margin of victory: Most wins by an owner: Most wins by a jockey: Most wins by a trainer: Legend: Notes: ¶ Filly † Held at Washington Park Race Track Arlington Classic The Arlington Classic Stakes is a Grade III American Thoroughbred horse race for three year old horses over a distance of miles on the turf held annually in late May at Arlington Park race track near Chicago, Illinois. The event was inaugurated in 1929 as