<P> The fastest time ever run in the Derby was set in 1973 at 1 : 59.4 minutes when Secretariat broke the record set by Northern Dancer in 1964 . Not only has Secretariat 's record time yet to be topped , in the race itself , he did something unique in Triple Crown races : each successive quarter , his times were faster . Though times for non-winners were not recorded , in 1973 Sham finished second , two and a half lengths behind Secretariat in the same race . Using the thoroughbred racing convention of one length equaling one - fifth of a second to calculate Sham 's time , he also finished in under two minutes . Another sub-two - minute finish , only the third , was set in 2001 by Monarchos at 1 : 59.97 . </P>
<P> The fastest time ever run in the Derby was set in 1973 at 1 : 59.4 minutes when Secretariat broke the record set by Northern Dancer in 1964 . Not only has Secretariat 's record time yet to be topped , in the race itself , he did something unique in Triple Crown races : each successive quarter , his times were faster . Though times for non-winners were not recorded , in 1973 Sham finished second , two and a half lengths behind Secretariat in the same race . Using the thoroughbred racing convention of one length equaling one - fifth of a second to calculate Sham 's time , he also finished in under two minutes . Another sub-two - minute finish , only the third , was set in 2001 by Monarchos at 1 : 59.97 . </P>
what is the fastest horse to win the kentucky derby
what is the fastest horse to win the kentucky derby
Secretariat
Secretariat