Today the race attracts thousands of attendees, fans from around the world, A-List Celebrities and is a Spring Fashion Showcase. Winn was responsible for many expansions and improvements to the track and used publicity to build the Kentucky Derby into the major racing event it is today. Winn was an amazing promoter and turned the track around to show its first profitable year in 1903, 28 years after it first opened. Clark, the Derby remained a local race without national importance for decades until new ownership headed by Col. The first Derby winner was Aristides, a chestnut colt whose statue now stands in the garden behind the clubhouse. Thus were created the Kentucky Derby, Kentucky Oaks, and Clark Handicap, all of which are still run today. He set up three major stakes races for the new track to emulate the three premier races in England: the Epsom Derby, Epson Oaks, and St. The Kentucky Derby was first run in 1875, the year Churchill Downs was opened by Col. 149 marks the 149th race, and excitement is brewing for the big race. The Kentucky Derby is the most famous horse race in the world and the prestigious prize that all horse owners dream of winning.