The Kentucky Derby is a prestigious Grade I stakes race for three-year-old Thoroughbreds, held annually at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Known as 'The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports,' it is the first leg of the Triple Crown, followed by the Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes. The event draws significant interest from horse racing enthusiasts, bettors, and the broader sporting world, influencing wagering markets and tourism in the region.