Galloping through history at Churchill Downs: Kentucky Derby's evolution over 150 years

Jon Court, aboard Optimizer, in the 2012 Kentucky Derby.

Churchill Downs, Louisville, Ky., Derby day April 29, 1901.

May 4, 2013; Louisville, KY, USA; Jan Beaty walks through the paddock area while wearing a Derby hat before the 2013 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

Fans cheer on horses in the paddock at Churchill Downs on Derby Day in 1991

Jockey's weighing in on Kentucky Derby day at Churchill Downs in May 1940.

Actor, comedian Bob Hope is surrounded by photographers while attending the Kentucky Derby on May 6, 1950.

Jockey Ron Turcotte guides Secretariat toward the finish line to win the 1973 Kentucky Derby.

Two men show off their unusual facial and hairstyles at the Kentucky Derby on May 1, 1982.

Racing fans circle horses names in a program during the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, May 6, 2023 at Churchill Downs in Louisville.

A woman looks down on the track at Churchill Downs from Millionaires Row. By Alan Lessig, The Courier-Journal. May 7, 1992.

2019 view of the statue of the first Kentucky Derby winner Aristides before the 145th running of the Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs. Aristides, with Oliver Lewis aboard, won the first Kentucky Derby in 1875 at the new Louisville Jockey Club, covering the 1 1/2- mile course in 2:37 3/4 to defeat 14 competitors. The track, later called Churchill Downs, is a creation of Meriwether Lewis Clark, a grandson of explorer William Clark of the Lewis & Clark Expedition. A crowd of 10,000 watches the first Derby, which now draws more than 100,000 people each year.

The start of a race on Derby day at Churchill Downs using a starting gate, May 5, 1936.

Kentucky Derby fashion at Churchill Downs, May 6, 2023

Fashion models pose the starting gate at Churchill Downs, wearing the latest styles for the upcoming Kentucky Derby in 1965.

Jockey John Valazquez was all smiles as he leads 2021 Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit into the winners circle after the race. Medina Spirit, trained by Bob Baffert, is his seventh Kentucky Derby winner. Medina Spirit, trained by Bob Baffert, was disqualified as the winner of the Kentucky Derby 2021 and Mandaloun, trained by Brad Cox, was declared the winner.

Joe Meurer, 16, of Bullitt County, carried trash from the Churchill Downs infield in 1998. Saturday's crowd of 143,215 made for a giant mess, and another member of the cleanup crew, Brian Shore, 16, said, "It's all the trash in the world, I think.''

Ronald Reagan, then Governor of California waves to a fan at the Kentucky Derby. Reagan was enjoying the day with President Richard Nixon, on left, looking upward. Reagan went on to become President as well in 1980. May 3, 1969 1969 Reagan Nixon Derby Rs