The History of the Kentucky Oaks - A Timeline
1875 - The running of the first Kentucky Oaks occurs on May 19. Vinaigrette won the race in a 1 1/2 mile format.
1877 - Felicia sets the fastest time for the 1 1/2 mile race at 2:39.
1878 - Belle of Nelson ties Felicia for the fastest time.
1882 - Katie Creel ties again the 2:39 time posted by Felicia in 1877.
1891 - The race becomes 1 1/4th mile.
1849 - Selika sets the fastest time for the 1 1/4 mile race at 2:15.
1896 - The race format changes again to 1 1/16th of a mile.
1920 - The race lengthens again slightly to 1 1/8th of a mile.
1941 - Race returns once more to 1 1/16th of a mile.
1950 - Ari's Mona sets the fastest time for the 1 1/16th mile race at 1:43.75.
1952 - Wins by Real Delight and Hill Gail mark the last time the same an owner has won both Derby and Oaks in the same year.
1977 - Sweet Alliance ties Ari's Mona with a time of 1:43.75.
1982 - Race becomes the current, modern length of 1 1/8th of mile.
1989 - Oaks opens the infield, a record 67,115 people attend.
1999 - Oaks attendence tops 100,000 at the 125th running.
2003 - Fastest finish time of the modern 1 1/8th mile race is posted by Bird Town at 1:48:64.
2009 - The Oaks, like the Derby, has run ininterrupted since its inception in 1875, making them jointly the oldest continuously contested sporting events in history.
