| 4th Kentucky Derby | |
| Class: | Grade I stakes race |
| Horse Race: | Kentucky Derby |
| Location: | Churchill Downs |
| Date: | May 21, 1878 |
| Winning Horse: | Day Star |
| Winning Jockey: | Jimmy Carter |
| Winning Trainer: | Lee Paul |
| Winning Owner: | Thomas J. Nichols |
| Surface: | Dirt |
| Previous: | 1877 |
| Next: | 1879 |
The 1878 Kentucky Derby was the 4th running of the Kentucky Derby. The race took place on May 21, 1878.[1] Winning horse Day Star set a new Kentucky Derby record with a winning time of 2:37.25.[2]
| Finished | Post | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Owner | Time / behind | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Day Star | Jimmy Carter | Lee Paul | Thomas J. Nichols | 2:37.25 | ||
| 2nd | Himyar | P. Robinson | Barak G. Thomas | ||||
| 3rd | Leveler | Robert Swim | R. H. Owens | ||||
| 4th | Solicitor | B. Edwards | L. P. Tarlton | ||||
| 5th | McHenry | W. James | Gen. Abe Buford | ||||
| 6th | Respond | Ramey | Rodes & Carr | ||||
| 7th | Burgundy | L. Jones | J. M. Wooding | ||||
| 8th | Earl of Beaconsfield | Mahoney | A. Strauss & Co. | ||||
| 9th | Charley Bush | J. Miller | Jennings & Hunt |