Why is it that the Kentucky Derby is more important than all other derbies in the U.S.?

Question

By this i mean the Florida Derby, American Derby, Illinois Derby, etc.

Answer 1

I have to dispute the second answerer to this question.

The KY Derby does NOT bring in the best three year olds from across the world.  90% of the runners are from North America, and it has been several years since a horse was sent over from Europe (Johannesburg is the last horse I can think of).

The KY Derby is a very prestigious race, but by no means the best "Derby" in the world.  That claim to fame belongs to the original Derby, the one run at Epsom every June.  It has been run since 1780 and I think it was all summed up when Federico Tessio (breeder of Ribot) said:  

"The thoroughbred exists because its selection has depended not on experts, technicians or zoologists but on a piece of wood: the winning post of the Epsom Derby."

In answer to your question, too many races now carry the word "Derby" in their title and in my opinion very few actually deserve to.

Update - In response to the answers who seem intent on disparaging my comments. Firstly how can you compare the Belmont to the Epsom Derby?!  The Derby is run on TURF on a switchback track, they are two entirely different races!

Secondly, so Curlin won the Dubai World Cup.  And?!  Do you want me to name the many European trained horses that have won the race previously?!

I do not dispute that the KY Derby is a good race, but I am simply saying that it is NOT the best race in the world and as long as the US regulators continue to allow horses to run on medication (or more accurately DRUGS) it never will be.

Answer 2

The Kentucky Derby is the first leg,  of three races that test 3 year old horses for durability, stamina and greatness,( if the trainer and owner should decide to enter their horse in all three races).

The Kentucky Derby is said to be the most prestigious single event in horse racing, the race brings  the top three-year-old horses in the world, with the winner assured a spot in the sport’s annals, bragging rights and assuredly a great potential of  breeding another generation of great horses.

It is considered the most exciting  2 minutes in sports.

Answer 3

kty derby begins the triple crown events!

Answer 4

in response to the 3rd ans the epsom derby does not have near the talent of the kentucky derby just look at who just won the Dubai WORLD cup Curlin who could not win the derby the greatest horse race where you only 1 chance. The chance of a lifetime in  a lifetime of chance

Answer 5

Because it is the first in the "Triple Crown" series; a three race series over different distances. The top finishers from local graded contests, such as, the FL, Arkansas, Santa Anita, IL,LA, etc. Derbies go to Kentucky on the first Saturday in May. It's something like the beginning of March madness in NCAA basketball.

In response to "MissNewm... 's" comments, above. Yes, the KY Derby and Triple Crown races do exhibit some of the best stock in the world. The Epsom Derby is prestigious and a predecessor to the KY Derby. Nonetheless, the KY Derby

can boast of being one of the best anywhere.

Did a little research. Compared  finish times of the Epsom

Derby since 1991 (10 furlongs+10 yds.) and the Belmont Stakes since 1926 (10 furlongs). The time differences shouldn't be more than one second. The best finish time for the Epsom Derby was

2:32. In comparison, at Belmont,only a half dozen horses ran slower than 2:30 over the past 81 years. And Secretariat finished in 2:24

in 1973! This should give a rough comparison of the class

of stock.

Answer 6

Because Kentucky is the Horse Capital of the World BABEE