The 1902 Kentucky Derby was the 28th running of the Kentucky Derby. The race took place on May 3, 1902.[1] This marked the first year in which the race was held on its now-traditional day of Saturday; all prior races had taken place anywhere from Monday through Friday.[2] Alan-a-Dale won by a nose after going lame while he was well in front of the other horses; jockey Jimmy Winkfield held him together as the colt barely won. Inventor finished second. The Rival was third, 1⁄2 length behind Inventor.[3] Winkfield's win in the 1902 Kentucky Derby was the last time that an African American jockey rode a winning horse in the Kentucky Derby.[4]
| Kentucky Derby | |
| Grade I stakes race | |
Jimmy Winkfield aboard Alan-a-Dale in 1902
| |
| Location | Churchill Downs |
|---|---|
| Date | May 3, 1902 |
| Winning horse | Alan-a-Dale |
| Jockey | Jimmy Winkfield |
| Trainer | Thomas Clay McDowell |
| Owner | Thomas Clay McDowell |
| Surface | Dirt |
← 1901
1903 →
| |
| Finished | Post | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Owner | Time / behind |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Alan-a-Dale | Jimmy Winkfield | Thomas Clay McDowell | Thomas Clay McDowell | 2:08.75 | |
| 2nd | Inventor | Robert "Tiny" Williams | T. W. Moore | Nose | ||
| 3rd | The Rival | Nash Turner | Thomas Clay McDowell | Thomas Clay McDowell | 1⁄2 | |
| 4th | Abe Frank | Monk Coburn | Henry McDaniel | George C. Bennett & Co. | Nose |