Kentucky Derby 2011: A Brief History of the Race in Photos

Good Job. Now Do It Twice More.
The Derby is the first leg of American horse racing's Triple Crown (the other two races are the Preakness, run in Maryland, and the Belmont, run outside of New York City). The last horse to win all three races was Affirmed, above, in 1978, just one of 11 steeds to do so. Several have come close in the 30 years since, the most recent being 2004's Smarty Jones, who missed winning the final race by a hair, and 2008's Big Brown, who finished the Belmont in last place.

• Tragedy and Triumph at the Derby