U.S. Census Bureau Daily Feature for May 17

SATURDAY, MAY 17: FIRST KENTUCKY DERBY

Profile America Saturday, May 17th. Each spring, one of the key sporting events is the Kentucky Derby, held on the first Saturday in May. This year's running was the 134th in the race's storied history. The first race was held on this date in 1875, won by a horse named Aristides, ridden by African-American jockey Oliver Lewis. The race was patterned after the English Derby, at a mile and a half in length. It was shortened to a mile and a quarter in 1896, where it remains. Some of the famous horses to win the derby include War Admiral, Whirlaway and Secretariat. At tracks across the U.S., less famous thoroughbred racing draws more than 6 million people each year, while harness racing attracts nearly 5 million others. You can find these and more facts about America from the U.S. Census Bureau online at www.census.gov

Profile America is produced by the Public Information Office of the U.S. Census Bureau. These daily features are available as produced segments ready to air on a monthly CD or on the Internet at http://www.census.gov (look under the "Newsroom" button). For further information, contact Rick Reed at +1-301-763-2812, fax at +1-301-457-3670, or e-mail at rreed(At)census.gov.

SOURCE U.S. Census Bureau

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Tags: National, Sports, kentucky, district of columbia

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