The Greatest Two Minutes In Sports. The Run for the Roses.
Whatever you call it, Kentucky Derby 148 is happening Saturday and after a couple of strange years, it’s mostly back to normal.
So what do you need to know to prepare for Louisville’s big day?
The races
The Kentucky Derby is always the first Saturday in May, which this year is May 7. There are 14 races, which start at 10:30 a.m., with the actual Kentucky Derby race at 6:57 p.m.
Just prior to the big race, the contenders walk from the barn to the Paddock around 6:09 p.m. The “Riders Up” call, which will be performed by Louisville rapper Jack Harlow, signals the jockeys to mount their horses, and that happens around 6:37 p.m.
To see the full schedule, click here.
The horses
Zandon was the morning line favorite as of the pill pull.
- Mo Donegal, Irad Ortiz Jr.
- Happy Jack, Rafael Bejarano
- Epicenter, Joel Rosario
- Summer Is Tomorrow, Mickael Barzalona
- Smile Happy, Corey Lanerie
- Messier, John Velazquez
- Crown Pride (JPN), Christophe Lemaire
- Charge It, Luis Saez
- Tiz the Bomb, Brian Hernandez Jr.
- Zandon, Flavien Prat
- Pioneer of Medina, Joe Bravo
- Taiba, Mike Smith
- Simplification, Jose Ortiz
- Barber Road, Rey Gutierrez
- White Abarrio, Tyler Gaffalione
- Cyberknife, Florent Geroux
- Classic Causeway, Julien Leparoux
- Tawny Port, Ricardo Santana Jr.
- Zozos, Manny Franco
Ethereal Road, Luis Contreras| Rich Strike
How to bet
Betting for the Kentucky Oaks can be done online through TwinSpires.com or on their app. There’s also information about how to bet and who the experts are picking. Click here for more information on betting.
The purse is $3 million.
Traffic restrictions
Several roads will be closed and traffic patterns will change leading up to the 2021 Kentucky Derby. Find them here:
What to bring and what to leave at home
Each guest is permitted one bag no larger than 12″ x 6″ x 12″.
You can’t bring your own alcohol, backpacks, banners, tents, coolers, pets, selfie sticks, tripods, wagons or weapons. Full list here. You also can’t bring umbrellas, but you can bring a poncho.
You can bring boxed lunches in clear plastic bags and two 24 oz. bottles of water that are sealed.
Weather
A few morning light showers and drizzle will start Derby Day on a damp note. Heading through the afternoon, we’ll top out in the cooler 60s and trend drier. A few peeks of sunshine will be possible by the time the Kentucky Derby race goes off.
How to watch the races
Need tickets? Click here to get them.
You can also watch it on NBC Sports.