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The 136th Kentucky Derby is set to be run at venerable Churchill Downs on May 1, 2010. As the first leg of the prestigious Triple Crown of American racing, The Run for the Roses is rich in tradition and history. With that in mind, you may want to get to know some interesting Kentucky Derby facts as you get yourself ready to watch the 2010 Kentucky Derby.

The first Kentucky Derby was won by a horse named Aristides way back in 1875. Churchill Downs features a statue of the horse, which is located in the paddock area for the public to view.

Ben Jones is the winningest trainer in Kentucky Derby history, having been at the helm for no less than six Derby winners, two of them Triple Crown winners: Lawrin (1938), Whirlaway (1941 and Triple Crown), Pensive (1944), Citation (1948 and Triple Crown), Ponder (1949), Hill Gail (1952)

To date, there have been a total of only 37 fillies to start the Kentucky Derby, with the most recent example the tragic filly Eight Belles, who sustained two broken legs immediately following finishing second in the 2008 Kentucky Derby behind Big Brown.

In the 135 runnings of the Derby thus far, only 3 fillies have ever won The Run For the Roses. The first one was Regret way back in 1915. After that a filly wouldn't win the Derby again until Genuine Risk in 1980. The third and last filly to win the Kentucky Derby was Winning Colors in 1988.

The Kentucky Derby is run at 10 furlongs, or a mile and a quarter, which for the three year olds competing in the race is the farthest distance they have ever run to that point in their racing careers.

There have only been two horses disqualified in the long history of the Kentucky Derby. The first time was in 1968, when winner Dancer's Image was found to have medication in his system that was not allowed. Forward Pass was declared the official winner. The second time was Gate Dancer in 1984. After finishing fourth in the race, he was cited for interference and placed fifth. This is the only time in Derby history interference has ever been declared.

The fastest Kentucky Derby ever recorded was by 1973 Triple Crown winner Secretariat, who finished in a time of 1:59 2/5. Interestingly, only three horses have ever completed the Derby in less than two minutes: Secretariat in 1973, Monarchos in 2001 at 1:59.97 and, in an example of bad luck, Sham in 1973, who finished second behind Secretariat.

To date, 49 bay horses have won the Kentucky Derby, making bay the winningest color. Chestnut is the second most, with 43 wins to date.

The track at Churchill Downs has only been listed as sloppy five times in history, remarkable considering the race takes place in Louisville, Kentucky on the first Saturday in May.

The 1st or 5th post position is the most popular winning post, with 12 winners each coming from those spots.