The 150th edition of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve will be held May 4 under the Twin Spires at Churchill Downs, a full century and a half of U.S. Thoroughbred racing history etched in the history books with the addition of the name of one more winner.

The feature race on the eve of the Kentucky Derby is the distaff counterpart to the classic race happening the next day. Similarly modeled on Epsom’s Oaks, the Kentucky Oaks has evolved from a regional contest into a beloved Grade 1 stakes almost as heavily anticipated as the Derby itself. Yet a glance at bookshelves yields a plethora of books on the run for the roses and none on the run for the lilies … until now.