The 151st Kentucky Derby: A Celebration of Tradition and Racing

On the first Saturday of May, the Kentucky Derby returns to Churchill Downs, marking its 151st instance as America’s longest-running sporting event. This iconic horse race promises to attract around 150,000 fans, who converge not just for the race but for a vibrant celebration steeped in tradition.

Event Details

Race Timing

The Derby is set to begin at 3:57 p.m. on Saturday.

Weather Forecast

Expect a high of approximately 65°F (18°C) accompanied by a 90% chance of rain, which may affect track conditions. The last time the Derby was held on a muddy track was in 1989, and a sloppy track last occurred in 2019.

Coverage and Viewing Options

Friday Broadcast

Coverage starts at 1 p.m. Eastern on USA Network, culminating in the highlight of the day, the 151st Kentucky Oaks, which has a post time of 5:51 p.m.

Saturday Broadcast

The full Derby Day coverage begins at noon Eastern on USA Network and streams on Peacock, with NBC joining in for the main event from 2:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Notable Traditions

A cherished pre-race tradition is the walkover, where horses are led from stables to the paddock amidst cheers from fans. Jockeys also partake in this process, emerging from their quarters to meet their horses. The Derby is renowned for its striking fashion; attendees often don elegant hats, floral dresses, and seersucker suits.

Top Contenders for the Derby

Morning Line Favorites

• Journalism: The 3-1 favorite trained by Michael McCarthy, with a successful run of four straight victories. He will start from post position No. 8.
• Sovereignty: Second favorite at 5-1, trained by Bill Mott, starting from post No. 18.
• Sandman: Listed at 6-1 odds, he won the Arkansas Derby and will start from post 17, which has no prior Derby winners.

Trainers to Watch

Bob Baffert, a six-time Derby winner, returns after a three-year suspension, entering the race with Citizen Bull, a long shot at 20-1.

Meanwhile, Hall of Famer D. Wayne Lukas, at 89 years old, is set to saddle American Promise, offering him a chance to become the oldest winning trainer in Derby history.

Field Changes

With Rodriguez scratched from the race, Baeza enters the field after a strong second-place finish in the Santa Anita Derby, trained by John Shirreffs.

Grande, an initial 20-1 contender, was also scratched due to a foot injury, leaving 19 horses eligible for the Derby.

Fun Fact

Only three fillies have ever won the Derby, highlighting its exclusivity for male and female three-year-olds, allowing eligibility for each horse just once in their racing career.

Cultural Connections

Connections to celebrities enrich the event; for instance, Dream Walkin Farms, partly owned by the late country singer Toby Keith, supports Render Judgment, listed at 30-1. Plus, former MLB star Jayson Werth co-owns Flying Mohawk, also at 30-1.

The national anthem will be performed by Grammy-nominated artist Grace Potter, with Olympic champion Simone Biles signaling the start of the races.

Prize Distribution

The Derby maintains a total purse of $5 million for the second consecutive year, with the winning owner receiving $1.3 million along with a prestigious gold trophy. Prizes extend down to fifth place, while the jockey typically earns 10% of the winnings.