What is a longer race, The Kentucky Derby or the Preakness?

Question

I know that Belmont is the longest. Is Big Brown a distance horse?

Answer 1

Kentucky Derby. Preakness is the shortest of the three.

Answer 2

I am pretty sure they go in order - Derby is shortest, Preakness slightly longer and then Belmont 1/4 mile longer than that???

I am answering the question and also the 1st response - the only response at posting.  

Can someone clarify this please?

***Thanks everyone!  Boy, for someone who has watched these 3 races for at least 20 years...I sure don't seem to know these basic facts, do I?  LOL!!!  Thought Preakness was longer, thought it was 2 weeks not 3.  Geeze - and I thought I paid attention to stuff like this!***

Answer 3

The Kentucky Derby.  It is a mile and a quarter.  The Preakness is a mile and 3/16th's.

Answer 4

Well, Big Brown won the Derby pretty handily, so I think he can handle the distance at the Belmont.  Although shorter, the Preakness can be tough because the track has such tight turns.

Good job today Big Brown!

Answer 5

The derby is the longer of the two.

The belmont is a mile and a half and big brown will have no trouble getting this distance. He wins the triple crown, easily.

Answer 6

Derby is 1 and a quarter; Preakness 1 and 3/16; Belmont 1 1/2.   (Derby is 110 yards longer than Preakness)

Brown should have no trouble handling the distance, but it all depends if any competition shows up that makes him have to run earlier.  There is a lot of talk about Casino Drive.

I think it use to be 2 weeks between all of them, but they changed to 3 before the Belmont. I think just because that is such an endurance race.  I've been to Belmont, got to see Seattle Slew, that is one big track. Mile and a half and no overlap.