1878 Kentucky Derby

4th Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby
Grade I stakes race
Day Star, 1878 Kentucky Derby winner.
LocationChurchill Downs
DateMay 21, 1878
Winning horseDay Star
JockeyJimmy Carter
TrainerLee Paul
OwnerThomas J. Nichols
SurfaceDirt

The 1878 Kentucky Derby was the 4th running of the Kentucky Derby. The race took place on May 21, 1878.[1] Winning horse Day Star set a new Kentucky Derby record with a winning time of 2:37.25.[2] He also led the pack from start to finish, a first for the Derby. However, the most notable horse was the heavily favored Himyar. He had a bad start at the gate and the rest of the pack was ten lengths ahead before he got started. However, he passed all of them except Day Star, who he trailed by only two lengths at the finish line.[3] This was the year that pari-mutuel betting was introduced to the Derby from France.[4]

Full results

Finished Post Horse Jockey Trainer Owner Time / behind
1st Day Star Jimmy Carter Lee Paul Thomas J. Nichols 2:37.25
2nd Himyar P. Robinson Barak G. Thomas
3rd Leveler Robert Swim R. H. Owens
4th Solicitor B. Edwards L. P. Tarlton
5th McHenry W. James Gen. Abe Buford
6th Respond Ramey Rodes & Carr
7th Burgundy L. Jones J. M. Wooding
8th Earl of Beaconsfield Mahoney A. Strauss & Co.
9th Charley Bush J. Miller Jennings & Hunt

Payout

Post Horse Win Place Show
Day Star $ 30.60[5]
  • The winner received a purse of $4,050.
  • Second place received $200.

References

  1. ^ Kentucky Derby History, 1878
  2. ^ "1878 Kentucky Derby Results Tables" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-23. Retrieved 2010-07-11.
  3. ^ Hall, Gregory A. (April 28, 2015). "Kentucky Derby Countdown | Day Star, 1878". Archived from the original on 2025-11-24.
  4. ^ "How Kentucky Derby betting traditions have changed over time since 1875". kentuckyderby.com. Archived from the original on 2025-03-23. Retrieved 2025-11-24.
  5. ^ "1878 Kentucky Derby Results Tables" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-23. Retrieved 2010-07-11.