What You Need to Know About the Kentucky Derby

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The Kentucky Derby: “The Fastest Two Minutes in Sports”

“This Kentucky Derby, whatever it is—a race, an emotion, a turbulence, an explosion—is one of the most beautiful and violent and satisfying things I have ever experienced.”
—John Steinbeck

On the first Saturday of May, all eyes turn to Churchill Downs racetrack for the Kentucky Derby, the first jewel of horse racing’s Triple Crown. This guide prepares you for Kentucky Derby Day, linking to best sources for race history and traditions, race coverage, travel advice and party-throwing tips, as well as where to bet the Kentucky Derby.

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What You Need to Know About the Kentucky Derby

The Kentucky Derby is a 1¼-mile race run by 3-year-old thoroughbreds. There are 20 horses in the race, who qualify based on their graded stakes earnings during the year.

The Kentucky Derby is the first race of the Triple Crown, which also includes the Preakness and Belmont Stakes. To learn more, view the Thoroughbred Times’ video on the history of the Triple Crown.

The Kentucky Derby will be televised on NBC, which begins its coverage at 4 p.m. EDT.

Other Derby Day races, running from noon to 5:00 p.m., will be televised by ESPN and streamed online by ESPN360.

Visit findingDulcinea’s Kentucky Derby page for news about of the race, profiles of trainers and a tutorial on picking the winner of the Kentucky Derby.