The Kentucky Derby race is 1¼ miles long, which is equivalent to 10 furlongs or about 2,012 meters

. The race typically lasts around two minutes, which is why it is famously called "the most exciting two minutes in sports"

. Originally, the race was 1½ miles long when it started in 1875, but in 1896 the distance was shortened to the current 1¼ miles to better suit three-year- old horses running early in the spring