| Progression of Kentucky Derby Record Time from 1875 (Until 1896 Race was Run at a Distance of 1.5 Miles) | ||
| Time | Horse | Year |
| 2:37.75 | Aristides | 1875 |
| 2:37.25 | Day Star | 1878 |
| 2:37.00 | Lord Murphy | 1879 |
| 2:34.50 | Spokane | 1889 |
| 2:07.75 | Ben Brush | 1896 |
| 2:06.25 | Lieut. Gibson | 1900 |
| 2:05.00 | Meridian | 1911 |
| 2:04.80 | Donerail | 1913 |
| 2:03.40 | Old Rosebud | 1914 |
| 2:01.80 | Twenty Grand | 1931 |
| 2:01.40 | Whirlaway | 1941 |
| 2:00.00 | Northern Dancer | 1964 |
| 1:59.40 | Secretariat | 1973 |