• Loading stock data...
Sunday, October 5, 2025

The 25 Fastest Finishes in Kentucky Derby History

  • Secretariat holds the fastest time in Kentucky Derby history.
  • Only 2 horses have recorded times under 2 minutes.
Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports

Although horse racing isn’t the most highly viewed sport in the U.S. throughout the year, the Kentucky Derby—its pinnacle event—annually draws America’s attention to Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., on the first Saturday of May.

With a completely new field each year, the Kentucky Derby winner can quickly become a household name and just as quickly fade from the public eye. Some of the most memorable runs, however, can vault a horse into iconic status for decades.

The legendary horse Secretariat boasts the fastest finish in the history of the Kentucky Derby, with a time of 1:57.40. In 2010, the story behind the horse was adopted into a hit Disney film.

Trailing behind Secretariat is Monarchos with a time of 1:59.97. Secretariat and Monarchos are the only two horses to record times of under two minutes at the Kentucky Derby. Coming in third with a time just three-hundredths of a second behind Monarchos is Norther Dancer in a time of two minutes flat.

Rounding out the top five are Spend A Buck and Decidedly with times of 2:00.20 and 2:00.40, respectively. Since 2010, only four horses have made their way into the ranks of the top 25 times of the race’s history.

Here is the full list of the 25 fastest finishes in Kentucky Derby History. The list was compiled in April 2025 using data from Twinspires.

RankHorseTimeYear
1Secretariat1:59.401973
2Monarchos1:59.972001
3Northern Dancer2:00.001964
4Spend A Buck2:00.201985
5Decidedly2:00.401962
6Proud Clarion2:00.601967
7Authentic2:00.612020
T-8Fusaichi Pegasus2:01.002000
T-8Grindstone2:01.001996
10Mandaloun2:01.102021
11War Emblem2:01.132002
12Funny Cide2:01.192003
T-13Thunder Gulch2:01.201995
T-13Affirmed2:01.201978
T-13Lucky Debonair2:01.201965
16Nyquist2:01.312016
17Barbaro2:01.362006
18Whirlaway2:01.401941
19Mage2:01.572023
T-20Bold Forbes2:01.601976
T-20Hill Gail2:01.601952
T-20Middleground2:01.601950
T-23Riva Ridge2:01.801972
T-23Majestic Prince2:01.801969
T-23Chateaugay2:01.801963
T-23Swaps2:01.801955
T-23Twenty Grand2:01.801931

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Who Are the Richest MLB Owners?

MLB owners are among the wealthiest people in the U.S.
Aug 27, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani (17) flies out to left field in the eighth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Dodger Stadium.

The Biggest Deferred Contracts In Each Major Sports League

Shohei Ohtani will make $680 million after his contract ends.
Aug 25, 2025; Flushing, NY, USA; Venus Williams (USA)after losing to Karolina Muchova (Czech)(not pictured) on day two of the 2025 U.S. Open tennis tournament at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.

Which Tennis Players Have Made the Most US Open Appearances?

Venus Williams has the most US Open appearances of any tennis player.

Every Regular-Season NFL Exclusive-Streaming Game in 2025

Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, ESPN+, Peacock, and YouTube have exclusive games

Featured Today

Paul Cartier

Sports Organists Are Still Thriving in the Era of Raucous Arena Music

“When they walk out and they see a real organ guy, it’s like, ‘Wow.’”
Sep 27, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Jackson Chourio (11) rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the sixth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at American Family Field.
October 4, 2025

Milwaukee Moneyball: Brewers Are Beating MLB’s Deeper Pockets

Milwaukee is holding its own against big-budget competitors.
Kōloa Rum Company Rum Rusher
September 27, 2025

Panthers Bubbly, Jets Wine, Manning Whiskey: The Sports Booze Boom

A sommelier dives into the sports booze trend—and tries Jets wine.
Nov 17, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers fans wave Terrible Towels against the Baltimore Ravens during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium
September 26, 2025

Steelers’ Irish Roots Are Deeper Than NFL Dublin Game

The Steelers have history and the foundation for a future in Ireland.
Sep 27, 2025; Athens, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs running back Josh McCray (2) runs against Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Nikhai Hill-Green (41) and defensive back Keon Sabb (3) in the second half at Sanford Stadium.
exclusive

College Football Viewership Is Up Double Digits. Here’s Why

Average game viewership is up by more than 10% so far.
Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Gunner Stockton (14) throws the ball during the first half of a NCAA college football game against Alabama in Athens, Ga., on Saturday, September 27, 2025.
October 1, 2025

Alabama-Georgia Draws 10.4M Viewers, Drives Record CFB Season Pace

ABC drew 10.4 million viewers for Alabama-Georgia.
The NBC Sports broadcast team works Michigan State's football game against Boston College on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
October 2, 2025

NBC Sports, Peacock Stay on YouTube TV With Long-Term Deal

The broad-based agreement keeps NBC channels with the key distributor.
Sponsored

How Soccer Star Jozy Altidore Became a Buffalo Bills Owner

Jozy Altidore discusses building a business legacy off the field.
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson (9) pulls down a touchdown reception against Dallas Cowboys cornerback DaRon Bland (26) in the fourth quarter during their football game Sunday, November 13, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis.
September 24, 2025

Packers-Cowboys Game Is Getting Super Bowl–Like NBC Treatment

The network will bring its pregame show to Dallas.
Sep 18, 2025; College Park, Georgia, USA; Indiana Fever forward Aliyah Boston (7) reacts as the Fever defeat the Atlanta Dream during game three of round one for the 2025 WNBA Playoffs at Gateway Center Arena at College Park.
September 19, 2025

Fever Upset of Dream Brings Ratings Boost to WNBA Semis

The Indiana Fever will face the Las Vegas Aces in the semifinals.
September 17, 2025

Fever Ratings Fall Without Clark, but Rest of WNBA Game 1s Surge

The Indiana Fever game drew 47% fewer viewers this year.
Sep 14, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith (6) makes a reception defended by Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie (22) during the fourth quarter of the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
September 16, 2025

Eagles-Chiefs Super Bowl Rematch Sets Early NFL TV Ratings Mark

Several new milestones are established with the big early-season matchup.