What time is the 2024 Kentucky Derby?

By Jayson Panganiban March 12, 2024 21:30

Photo by Imagn Content Services, LLC

The 2024 Kentucky Derby, the 150th edition of the annual horse race, is set to take place on Saturday, May 4, 2024, at approximately 6:45 p.m. ET. This prestigious event is the first leg of horse racing's Triple Crown, followed by the Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes.

How to Watch the 2024 Kentucky Derby

Date and Time:

Date: Saturday, May 4, 2024
Time: Around 6:45 p.m. ET

Viewing Options:

Cable TV: NBC
Streaming: Peacock; YouTube TV; fuboTV

To watch the 150th Kentucky Derby, viewers can subscribe to Fubo for live coverage of the event.

Key Event Dates

Post-Position Draw

The post-position draw, where the starting post position of each horse is decided, will occur on Saturday, April 27, 2024, a full week before the race day. This draw is a crucial event that sets the stage for the race.

Kentucky Oaks 2024

The Kentucky Oaks, the Derby's sister race for three-year-old Thoroughbred fillies, is set to take place on Friday, May 3, 2024, the day before the Kentucky Derby. The drawing for post position for the Oaks will occur before the drawing for the Derby on April 27.

Contenders for the 2024 Kentucky Derby

The Kentucky Derby's official website features a leaderboard of the top contenders to participate in the race, listed by points scored in designated "Road to the Derby" races. The top horse contenders from the United States include Fierceness, Track Phantom, Locked, Timberlake, Liberal Arts, Nash, West Saratoga, Honor Marie, Otto the Conqueror, and Dornoch, among others.

Additional Event Details

Number of Horses in the Race

Each year's Kentucky Derby features 20 horses, including qualifiers from the United States as well as the "Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby" and "European Road to the Kentucky Derby".

Race Length

The annual Kentucky Derby is 1 1/4 miles of racing, equivalent to 10 furlongs, covering approximately two kilometers.

Kentucky Derby Record

The current record for the Kentucky Derby is held by Secretariat, who set the record at Churchill Downs in 1973 with a time of 1:59.4.

Road to the Kentucky Derby

The Road to the Kentucky Derby includes championship series races that offer the most points and interest to horse racing fans. It features races like the U.S. championship series races, the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby, and the Europe Road to the Kentucky Derby. The winners of these races earn points to qualify for the 20-horse field in the Kentucky Derby.

Kentucky Derby Festivities

In addition to the main race, the Kentucky Derby is surrounded by a series of events and festivities, making it a highly anticipated occasion. Here are some of the notable events leading up to the 2024 Kentucky Derby:

Taste of Derby Party

When: Thursday, May 2, 7 p.m.
Where: Kentucky International Convention Center
Cost: $399

Derby Eve at Kentucky Derby Museum

When: Friday, May 3
Where: Kentucky Derby Museum
Cost: $599

Kentucky Minority Scholarship Fund Derby Dinner

When: Friday, May 3
Where: Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts
Cost: $175 advance, $200 at the door

First Turn Club at Churchill Downs

When: Friday, April 26, starting at 6 p.m.
Where: First Turn Club at Churchill Downs
Cost: Single tickets to the gala are $650, with an after-party-only ticket available for $150

These events provide a variety of experiences for attendees, from culinary delights to live performances and fundraising opportunities.

Betting on the Kentucky Derby

Betting on the Kentucky Derby is an integral part of the event. Parimutuel wagering, where players wager against each other, is a popular form of betting. The post-time favorite has historically won the race 40 times, and bettors can follow the fixed odds to win the 2024 Kentucky Derby from various sources, including Circa Sports in Las Vegas. Additionally, fans of horse racing can engage with betting platforms such as FanDuel Racing for updated coverage, odds, picks, and racing insight leading up to and during the 2024 Kentucky Derby.

Notable Race Moments

The Kentucky Derby has seen its fair share of memorable moments, including surprising victories of longshot horses such as Mage at 15/1 odds in 2023 and Rich Strike at 80/1 odds in 2022. These unexpected wins add an element of excitement and unpredictability to the race.

The 2024 Kentucky Derby promises to be a captivating event, steeped in tradition and excitement. From the main race itself to the surrounding festivities and betting opportunities, there is something for everyone to enjoy and engage with, making it a must-see event for horse racing enthusiasts and spectators alike.