The Granddaddy of Them All can come at any time. The Kentucky Derby is the most anticipated horse race in America and for good reason. The Derby is a test of both horse and rider, who must be fit and trim, but also willing to endure torturous workouts ahead of the big event. It’s also a test of endurance the horses run two miles on dirt before an eight-furlong stretch on grass. If that wasn’t enough stress, they then have to race back around again on a track with three different lanes! It’s no wonder so many jockeys retire from this race after their first attempt. After all, every great jockey walks away from the Kentucky Derby a champion.
What time does the Kentucky Derby start?
At the 2023 Kentucky Derby, the big race is set to start at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) on May 7, the first Saturday of May. This time is meant to approximate when the race would have begun in 1884, when the first Derby was run, but is adjusted for daylight savings time (DST) on the start date.
The Kentucky Derby is a two-mile race, which takes place in the afternoon on Saturday, May 7. The race begins at approximately 1:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) and finishes by 3:00 p.m. EST. The race is broadcast live on many stations and is available on pay-per-view. You can also find the race archived on many TV networks.
The Kentucky Derby route
A map of the Kentucky Derby route will appear below. You can also download a Kentucky Derby route map here. The race route is unique, as it consists of three different lanes on the track. The first portion is on dirt, where the horses run two miles and then head back on a grass track. Then, the final leg is on a dirt surface. The race route is as follows:
- Triple Bend – This is the first and only time the horses cross paths with another group, as they head through three different gates.
- Turf – The horses run past a crowd of tens of thousands of fans on this part of the track.
- Backstretch – The horses take a turn before heading back to the finish line.
The history of the Kentucky Derby
The Kentucky Derby has been around for more than 150 years. The first race was run on May 6, 1875 at the now-defunct Harrodstown Racecourse in Scotland. The race was named after Edward Smith’s son, Derby Smith, who had financed the race. The distance was four miles, and the race was won by a horse named Hyperion. The Kentucky Derby is the oldest of the American Triple Crown events, as the other two races are the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes. The Kentucky Derby was originally run on a firm clay track. Starting in 1887, the track was converted to a dirt surface, and then again in 1937.
A similar race, the Preakness Stakes, was run at Pimlico Race Course in Maryland to start. The first Kentucky Derby was won by Hyperion, who won again the following year. The two races were combined in 1891, and the Kentucky Derby’s name was officially changed to the Preakness Stakes. The Preakness Stakes was held at Pimlico until 1971, when it was moved to May. It returned to Pimlico in 2017, but will move to its permanent location in Baltimore in 2023.
How to watch the Kentucky Derby in real-time: TV, live stream, and more.
If you’re looking for a way to watch the Kentucky Derby in real-time, you’re in luck. The race is broadcast on many TV channels, including ABC, NBC, and ESPN. If you want to catch the race on a computer, you can also find the race online, on apps, and on streaming services. Here are some ways to watch the race in real-time:
- Watch ABC, NBC, or ESPN – These are the most popular channels for the Derby, so you’re likely covered. You can also find the channels on many TV service providers, like DirecTV and Spectrum.
- Watch the race on your computer – Many people use computers to watch the Derby, which can give you access to live streaming sites like ESPN3, WatchESPN, and Fox Sports Go. You can also find the race on many streaming apps, like Sling TV, YouTube TV, and Amazon.com. You’ll need to sign up for these apps ahead of time so you can watch the race without a paid subscription.
- Watch the race on your phone – An increasing number of people are watching the race on their phones, most likely through apps like Sling TV. You can also find the race on many cable and satellite TV services, like DirectTV and Verizon Fios.
Who owns a horse in the Kentucky Derby?
If you’re looking for people to root for, you’ve come to the right place. Every horse in the Kentucky Derby is given a “race card,” which lists the name of the owner and jockey. Before the Derby, owners have a couple weeks to pick a jockey for their horse. After the Derby, the jockey is the one who decides if they want to ride in the race again.
Most of the time, the jockey is the same person who owns the horse. They want to pick a horse that can win, but also one that the owner won’t be too attached to, as they’ll likely want to ride something else in the next race.
There are a few exceptions to this, though. For example, a jockey might willingly ride in the Kentucky Derby if they’ve had a really bad year and want to redeem themselves by winning with a certain horse.
Which horses have won the Kentucky Derby?
There have been 17 horses to win the Kentucky Derby, with Affirmed being the most recent winner.
Some of the biggest names in racing have competed at the Kentucky Derby, including Secretariat, Citation, Nyquist, and Seattle Slew. Nyquist is famously remembered for charging from an open gate and winning by a length, even though he was ineligible to run in the race.
Secretariat was an unlikely Derby favorite, as he was a race horse, not a racehorse. Secretariat was trained for the Derby by D. Wayne Lukas, who was told Secretariat would lose the race in a walk. The race ended up being the most famous race in history, and Secretariat became the first Triple Crown winner.
Who’s entered for the 2023 Kentucky Derby?
The 2023 Kentucky Derby field is set, but the details have not been released. The official race card will be released on January 1, but there is speculation that the 2023 Kentucky Derby card will be released in December.
The Kentucky Derby field is set through a complicated process. Owners submit the names of their horses, and the Kentucky Derby Committee, a group of horse racing experts, select the field. After the 2023 Kentucky Derby card is revealed, there will be a five-day period where owners can withdraw their horses from the field.
Winner picks for the 2023 Kentucky Derby race.
The Kentucky Derby winner will be picked at Belmont Park. You can find out the odds of the top horses before the race begins, but you can also bet on the Kentucky Derby during the race. The betting window is closed once the horses cross the finish line. Many bettors will place their bets during the last few minutes of the race, which is when the horses are at their fastest.
If you want to place a bet on a horse, you’ll need to head to a betting window, which will be open during the race. There will likely be a few windows set up at Belmont Park and at state racetracks, like Churchill Downs. You can also find out the odds of the top horses before the race begins, but you can also bet on the Kentucky Derby during the race.
