What makes a Kentucky Derby among the best of all time? Secretariat’s record-setting effort? Regret’s achievement as the first filly to win the vaunted classic, or legendary jockey Bill Shoemaker’s misjudgment of the finish line that cost his horse the race? And what about the famous “Fighting Finish” or Black Gold’s “dream-come-true” victory?

A panel of racing experts selected these ten Kentucky Derbies as the all-time greatest, most exciting, and riveting first Saturdays in May.