Blazing Saddles: The History of African-Americans at the Kentucky Derby

Fun facts about America's greatest race.

Off to the Races - Kevin Krigger will make history on Saturday as the first African-American jockey to race in the Kentucky Derby in 13 years, and could be the first African-American to win in more than 100 years. Keep reading to see how African-Americans have shaped the derby's history. — Britt Middleton (Photo: Mark Cornelison/Lexington Herald-Leader/ MCT /LANDOV)

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Off to the Races - Kevin Krigger will make history on Saturday as the first African-American jockey to race in the Kentucky Derby in 13 years, and could be the first African-American to win in more than 100 years. Keep reading to see how African-Americans have shaped the derby's history. — Britt Middleton (Photo: Mark Cornelison/Lexington Herald-Leader/ MCT /LANDOV)

Island in the Sun - Krigger is a native of St Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. The 29-year-old started riding at age 5, getting his bearings on his neighbor's horse in his backyard. Fellow St. Croix native Victor Lebron will join Krigger in competition on Saturday. (Photo: AP Photo/Garry Jones)

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Island in the Sun - Krigger is a native of St Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. The 29-year-old started riding at age 5, getting his bearings on his neighbor's horse in his backyard. Fellow St. Croix native Victor Lebron will join Krigger in competition on Saturday. (Photo: AP Photo/Garry Jones)

Professional Ambition - Krigger began training at age 10, and by 18, he entered competitions in Ohio before heading west to California's Golden Gate Fields and Emerald Downs in Washington state. Through his career, he has won a total of 928 races, including four graded stakes. (Photo: AP Photo/Garry Jones)

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Professional Ambition - Krigger began training at age 10, and by 18, he entered competitions in Ohio before heading west to California's Golden Gate Fields and Emerald Downs in Washington state. Through his career, he has won a total of 928 races, including four graded stakes. (Photo: AP Photo/Garry Jones)

A Special Bond - A favorite to win the race, Krigger will ride Goldencents (he is the first to ride the thoroughbred horse at the derby). They have trained together since last August and he says the two share a special bond. "It is like I am the human version of him and he's the horse version of me. We look forward to seeing each other every day," Krigger told BET.com in a phone interview Tuesday. (Photo: AP Photo/Garry Jones)

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A Special Bond - A favorite to win the race, Krigger will ride Goldencents (he is the first to ride the thoroughbred horse at the derby). They have trained together since last August and he says the two share a special bond. "It is like I am the human version of him and he's the horse version of me. We look forward to seeing each other every day," Krigger told BET.com in a phone interview Tuesday. (Photo: AP Photo/Garry Jones)

In It to Win It - "This is going to be a historic moment. We're not here to run in the derby, we're here to win it," Krigger told BET.com. (Photo: Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

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In It to Win It - "This is going to be a historic moment. We're not here to run in the derby, we're here to win it," Krigger told BET.com. (Photo: Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

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Living History - Black jockeys once dominated the legendary race. In fact, African-Americans won 15 of the first 28 titles between 1875 and 1902. (Photo: REUTERS/John Gress)

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Living History - Black jockeys once dominated the legendary race. In fact, African-Americans won 15 of the first 28 titles between 1875 and 1902. (Photo: REUTERS/John Gress)

A Divided Past - However, Jim Crow laws eventually shut out Blacks from the sports for years. Churchill Downs, where the annual derby is held, was completely segregated throughout the 1950s. (Photo: Harry How/Getty Images)

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A Divided Past - However, Jim Crow laws eventually shut out Blacks from the sports for years. Churchill Downs, where the annual derby is held, was completely segregated throughout the 1950s. (Photo: Harry How/Getty Images)

Blazing a Path - Before Krigger, Louisiana-born Marlon St. Julien was the last African-American to compete in the prestigious race in 2000. He placed seventh. (Photo: Stephen Cohen/Getty Images for Longines)

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Blazing a Path - Before Krigger, Louisiana-born Marlon St. Julien was the last African-American to compete in the prestigious race in 2000. He placed seventh. (Photo: Stephen Cohen/Getty Images for Longines)

Oliver Makes His Mark - Fellow African-American jockey Oliver Lewis won the first Kentucky Derby in 1875, riding the horse Aristides, named after an ancient Greek general. (Photo: Library of Congress)

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Oliver Makes His Mark - Fellow African-American jockey Oliver Lewis won the first Kentucky Derby in 1875, riding the horse Aristides, named after an ancient Greek general. (Photo: Library of Congress)

Lightning Fast - Only 20 thoroughbred horses compete in the legendary race, which has been nicknamed "the fastest two minutes in sports." (Photo: Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

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Lightning Fast - Only 20 thoroughbred horses compete in the legendary race, which has been nicknamed "the fastest two minutes in sports." (Photo: Jamie Squire/Getty Images)