It’s been dubbed the “most exciting two minutes in sports,” in homage to the frenetic pace at which the half-ton racers carry their 100-pound riders around the 10 furlong (1.25 mile) track (millions in wagers probably play a role, too). It’s also referred to as the “run for the roses,” after the giant floral garnish awaiting the fastest pair in the winner’s circle. But you probably know this grand celebration of hats, horses and hooch as the Kentucky Derby, the first leg of the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing, held each May at Louisville’s historic Churchill Downs Racetrack.

This year marks the 142nd running of the grand old equine tradition, with a field of up to 20 horses vying for a $2+ million purse and a shot at immortality. Although 141 horse-jockey teams have tasted Derby victory, only 35 have gone on to win the Preakness Stakes, the second leg of the Triple Crown, and a mere 12 have then sealed the deal in the Belmont Stakes. The chance to see history is nevertheless just one element of what makes the Kentucky Derby so special, gluing 16 million viewers to their TV screens and enticing another 170,000 people to join the party in person each year.

From the 127,000 Mint Juleps that are served to the 90% hat rate for female attendees, that’s what the Kentucky Derby ultimately is: a big party. And to help get you in the spirit for this year’s festivities, we analyzed all angles of the event – from event’s purse and spectator fashion to ticket prices and betting slips – and constructed the fun, interesting infographic below.

We also convened a panel of leading horseracing experts for their scouting reports for the race and insights into major issues facing the industry.

It’s been dubbed the “most exciting two minutes in sports,” in homage to the frenetic pace at which the half-ton racers carry their 100-pound riders around the 10 furlong (1.25 mile) track (millions in wagers probably play a role, too). It’s also referred to as the “run for the roses,” after the giant floral garnish awaiting the fastest pair in the winner’s circle. But you probably know this grand celebration of hats, horses and hooch as the Kentucky Derby, the first leg of the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing, held each May at Louisville’s historic Churchill Downs Racetrack.

This year marks the 142nd running of the grand old equine tradition, with a field of up to 20 horses vying for a $2+ million purse and a shot at immortality. Although 141 horse-jockey teams have tasted Derby victory, only 35 have gone on to win the Preakness Stakes, the second leg of the Triple Crown, and a mere 12 have then sealed the deal in the Belmont Stakes. The chance to see history is nevertheless just one element of what makes the Kentucky Derby so special, gluing 16 million viewers to their TV screens and enticing another 170,000 people to join the party in person each year.

From the 127,000 Mint Juleps that are served to the 90% hat rate for female attendees, that’s what the Kentucky Derby ultimately is: a big party. And to help get you in the spirit for this year’s festivities, we analyzed all angles of the event – from event’s purse and spectator fashion to ticket prices and betting slips – and constructed the fun, interesting infographic below. We also convened a panel of leading horseracing experts for their scouting reports for the race and insights into major issues facing the industry.