The Race for the Roses is an event drowning in history and prestige, but also in unique facts and statistics. Considering that the Kentucky Derby® boasts an over-century long history, a lot of unpredictable and downright events have taken place at Churchill Downs®. 

But some facts stand above the rest, whether they're jaw-dropping or mind boggling — these are the craziest facts about the Kentucky Derby®.

The 7 Craziest Facts About the Kentucky Derby®

1. Only three horses entered the 1892 Kentucky Derby®. While this is almost unimaginable with a current field of 20 horses competing ever year, the state of the race at the time wasn't at its current prestige. The race was won by Azra, who beat out Huron and Phil Dwyer.

2. The Kentucky Derby® has never once been cancelled or postponed due to weather or unforeseen circumstances. Now that's consistency.

3. The latest on the calendar that the Kentucky Derby® has run is June 9. This outlier race took place in 1945 due to a nationwide ban on racing because of the impending conclusion of World War II.

4. A total of six women have ridden in the Derby's history: Diane Crump, Patti Cooksey, Andrea Seefeldt, Julie Krone, Rosemary Homeister and Rosie Napravnik. Napravnik's fifth-place finish in the 2013 Kentucky Derby® is the best finish for a female jockey in the race's history. 

5. You better have some energy left after claiming victory at Churchill Downs®, because the rose garland, which is comprised of over 400 roses, that is draped over the winner weighs a whopping 40 pounds! 

6. Derby Day turns Churchill Downs® into a little metropolis of its own. Due to the 80,000 onlookers packed into the infield, Churchill Downs® becomes the third-largest city in Kentucky during that special Saturday in May. 

7. They call it "The Curse of Post 17." That's right — no horse has ever won the Kentucky Derby® coming from Post 17. 

Attend the 2019 Kentucky Derby®

The Kentucky Derby® is one of the most unpredictable sporting events of the year, and you can be a part of the action with Derby Experiences! You can pick from an abundance of different offerings to make sure you craft your perfect experience at Churchill Downs® in the spring.