Did you know Chesapeake was supposed to win the first Kentucky derby? It’s true,Oliver Lewis was supposed to clear the field for W. Henry, who rode Chesapeake, but after he fell to far behind H.P McGraw, the horses owner, waved Lewis on, and Lewis ended up winning. The Derby took place on may 17, 1875, and Lewis and Aristides went down in America’s history. Th history of the track, the actual racing, and trip to the winners circle, helped build one of Americas longest lasting tradition. in 1872, Meriweather Lewis Clark Jr., Lutie, went to England to watch the Epson Derby. That is where the idea of the Kentucky Derby formed from. Lutie took thins idea back to the United States to put his plan in action. John and Henry Churchill provided the
