Katherine Terrell, ESPN Staff WriterMay 5, 2023, 01:20 PM ET
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You have questions about the 2023 Kentucky Derby? We've got answers.
When, where and how to watch the Kentucky Derby
The 149th running of the Kentucky Derby is the 12th of 14 races at Churchill Downs on Saturday, May 6, with a scheduled post time of 6:57 p.m. ET.
Derby Day coverage will begin at noon ET on NBC and Peacock.
How did the horses get here?
Entry into the Kentucky Derby is determined by a point system that began in September and tracked horses in their 2- and 3-year-old seasons. Horses earned points by placing first, second, third or fourth in specified races in the year leading up to the Derby.
Select prep races in March and April provided the most points, and placing first or second in those races essentially guaranteed a spot into the Kentucky Derby field.
The horses with the most points were Forte (190), Practical Move (160), Angel of Empire (154), Tapit Trice (150) and Two Phil's (123).
The point system was created in 2012 to determine entry into the 20-horse field. The previous system was based on the amount of earnings horses won from any graded stakes race.
What are the stakes for the 2023 Kentucky Derby?
The Derby has a $3 million purse to be awarded to the connections of the top five horses. The winner will get $1.86 million. Second place earns $600,000, third $300,000, fourth $150,000 and fifth $90,000. Jockeys also receive a prize, with the winning rider earning $186,000.
What is the story with this year's race?
The Derby will likely run with 18 horses on Saturday after state veterinarians scratched morning line favorite Forte because if concerns over a bruised right foot. Because the scratch deadline was Friday and all three horses on the also-eligible list moved into the race, there will be no late additions. Cyclone Mischief (30-1), Mandarin Hero (20-1) and King Russell (50-1) all drew into the race Thursday after the scratches.
The Derby has not seen five scratches since the 1939 running, which went off with only 14 horses.
According to a news release, jockey Irad Ortiz Jr., who was scheduled to ride Forte, will now get the mount on Cyclone Mischief. The scratch of Forte comes after three scratches Thursday, and a fourth scratch on Friday when Skinner was withdrawn because of an elevated temperature.
Lord Miles was scratched after trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. was suspended by Churchill Downs because two of his trainees collapsed and died during workouts at the track earlier in the week. Practical Move, trained by Tim Yakteen, was scratched because of an elevated temperature Thursday. Continuar was scratched after trainer Yoshito Yahagi felt his colt's fitness level was not up to par.
In an interview with reporters Saturday morning, Forte's owner Mike Repole said it felt like déjà vu, likely referring to the scratch of Uncle Mo in 2011. Uncle Mo, also trained by Todd Pletcher, was the second choice in the 2011 race and was scratched one day before the race because of illness. Forte now joins Omaha Beach (2019) and I Want Revenge (2009) as the only morning-line favorites on modern record to be scratched the day of the race, according to ESPN Stats & Information.
Repole told reporters at the race that the issue was a minor foot bruise that showed up earlier in the week. State vets were aware of the issue and the final decision was not made until after Forte's final gallop Saturday morning.
"You try to be as transparent about this sport as you can. There were rumors out there about an issue. There was a bruise. If this race was on Tuesday, I think he'd be running. If this race was next Saturday, I think he'd be running. But unfortunately, as I've said before ... you can only be a 3-year-old colt on the first Saturday in May one time."
For more on this year's field, check out Anita Marks' 2023 Kentucky Derby betting guide.
What are post positions and why do they matter?
The Derby is usually a 20-horse field, which is the biggest any horse will see in North American racing. That means the post position, or what gate a horse breaks from, makes a difference, even when the field is down to 18 horses.
Rich Strike won from post position 20 last year, a gate that has produced only one other winner (Big Brown in 2008).
The most dreaded post positions are usually on the inside of the track, with No. 1 and No. 2 typically being the toughest to navigate. The last winner produced from the first post was Ferdinand in 1986, with only 16 horses in the field. The last winner to break from post No. 2 was Triple Crown winner Affirmed in 1978, when only 11 horses were in the field.
The two post positions with the biggest win drought are No. 14, which hasn't produced a winner since Carry Back in 1961, and No. 17, which has never produced a winner.
The most successful post position is No. 5, which has produced 10 winners -- Always Dreaming being the last to do so in 2017.
What has happened since last year's Derby?
Rich Strike, who got into the Derby after a late scratch, shocked the world last year as an 80-1 winner, the second-largest upset in Derby history. Rich Strike skipped the Preakness, which was won by Epicenter, and finished sixth in the Belmont Stakes behind winner Mo Donegal.
Rich Strike has raced five times since the 2022 Derby without a win, and will make his 4-year-old debut in the Alysheba Stakes at Churchill Downs on Friday.
How often do a big upsets happen?
Rich Strike was the biggest upset since 91-1 shot Donerail won in 1913, but there have been quite a few upsets in modern times. Country House was placed first at 65-1 odds after Maximum Security was disqualified in 2019. Mine That Bird came streaking up the rail to win at 50-1 odds in 2009 (later inspiring the movie "50-1").
Giacomo (50-1) was a big upset in 2005 and Charismatic was a surprise in 1999 at 32-1 odds.
The points system has changed how often the favorite wins the race. Only two favorites won the race from 1980 to 2012 (Fusaichi Pegasus in 2000 and Big Brown in 2008). From 2013 to 2018, the favorites won five races: Orb in 2013, California Chrome in 2014, American Pharoah in 2015, Nyquist in 2016 and Justify in 2018.
Where is Bob Baffert?
Six-time Kentucky Derby-winning trainer Bob Baffert was a mainstay at the race until 2021. He won the Triple Crown with American Pharoah in 2015 and with Justify in 2018, and he won a COVID-19-postponed running of the Derby in 2020.
Baffert's horse Medina Spirit crossed the finish line of the 2021 Kentucky Derby first, but the colt was later disqualified after postrace testing came up positive for betamethasone, a banned substance.
Churchill Downs Inc., which owns Churchill Downs, the Fair Grounds in New Orleans and Turfway Park in Kentucky, among other tracks, banned Baffert from running horses at its tracks for two years in 2021.
The ban, which was recently upheld in court, also means that Baffert-trained horses cannot earn points toward the Kentucky Derby. This is why Reincarnate, a former Baffert trainee, was transferred to Baffert's former assistant Tim Yakteen in February.
Yakteen ran Taiba and Messier in the Derby last year before they were transferred back to Baffert's barn. Baffert is eligible to run horses in the Preakness and Belmont after his one-year ban from New York Racing Association tracks (including Belmont Park) expired in January.
More Kentucky Derby coverage: Updated odds, post positions, jockeys
FAQs
Kentucky Derby 2023: How to watch the action, what you need to know? ›
How do I watch the 2023 Kentucky Derby? NBC will begin its Derby Day broadcast at 12 p.m. ET on Saturday with coverage of the early races leading up to the Triple Crown race. Derby Day coverage can also be viewed on Peacock, NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app.
How can I watch the Kentucky Derby 2023? ›The Kentucky Derby can be streamed online at NBCSports.com and on the NBC Sports app for eligible cable subscribers. Cord-cutters can pay for a month of Peacock Premium for $4.99 or Peacock Plus for $9.99.
What TV channel is the Kentucky Derby 2023? ›NBC will broadcast the Kentucky Derby. WAVE-3 is the local affiliate in Louisville (Channel 3 on AT&T U-Verse, Dish and DIRECTV; Channel 6 on Spectrum).
How much does the jockey win Kentucky Derby 2023? ›The son of 2018 Kentucky Derby runner-up Good Magic finished a length ahead of Two Phil's, with Angel of Empire running third. Disarm ran fourth. At odds of 15-1, Mage paid $32.42 to win, $14.58 to place and $9.08 to show.
Who is favored in the 2023 Kentucky Derby? ›Mage wins 2023 Kentucky Derby, favorite Angel of Empire finishes third. Mage overcame 15-1 odds to win the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby on Saturday in front of a crowd of over 150,000 at Churchill Downs. Here's what you need to know: Mage won by a length over Two Phil's.
What time is the actual Kentucky Derby race 2023? ›Main race scheduled for 6:57 p.m. Kentucky Derby hopeful Confidence Game works out at Churchill Downs Wednesday, May 3, 2023, in Louisville, Ky. The 149th running of the Kentucky Derby is scheduled for Saturday, May 6.
Who is televising the Kentucky Derby? ›NBC will televise the Kentucky Derby, starting coverage at 11 a.m. Saturday. The Kentucky Derby is the 12th of 14 races scheduled at Churchill Downs on Saturday, including seven other graded-stakes races.
What network is showing the Kentucky Derby? ›Watch & Follow everything Kentucky Derby on NBC and Derby Social Media. 2023 Kentucky Derby & Oaks. May 5 and May 6, 2023.
Who are the favorites in the Kentucky Derby? ›Tapit Trice, who is the most expensive horse in the field, is a 9-2 co-favorite with Angel of Empire. Derma Sotogake (7-1), Two Phil's (7-1) and Kingsbarns (9-1) became stronger 2023 Kentucky Derby contenders when Forte was scratched.
How can I watch the Kentucky Derby in Canada? ›Peacock Premium
Peacock, owned by NBC, offers some live sports to go along with its on-demand entertainment. The $5-a-month tier gives you access to the Kentucky Derby, English Premier League soccer, the Olympics, Sunday Night Football, select WWE events, Indy Car races and some PGA golf tournaments.
How can I watch all the races on Derby Day? ›
The most exciting two minutes in sports will be easier than ever to watch this year, with a record 7.5 hours of race day coverage scheduled to air on NBC and stream on Peacock beginning at 12 p.m. ET on Saturday, May 6. You can also watch the race via NBC on Yahoo Sports.
Is Derby Day on free to air TV? ›The 2022 Melbourne Cup Carnival begins this Saturday, 29 October with Penfolds Victoria Derby Day from 10:30 am AEDT, live and free on 10 and 10 Play.
How much does a derby jockey make? ›A purse of $3 million -- the most lucrative of the three Triple Crown races -- will be awarded to the top five horses, with the winner taking home $1.86 million (the jockey gets $186,000). Second place earns $600,000, third $300,000, fourth $150,000 and fifth $90,000.
How much does the highest paid jockey make? ›- Yutaka Take. Career earnings - $925m. Career wins - 4,408. ...
- Norihiro Yokoyama. Career earnings - $607m. Career wins - 2,910. ...
- Yuichi Fukunaga. Career earnings - $561m. Career wins - 2,636. ...
- Masayoshi Ebina. Career earnings - $505m. ...
- John R. Velazquez. Career earnings - $463m.
The normally jubilant person atop that winning horse doesn't make as much as you'd probably think. According to TwinSpires, the owner of the champion horse at the Kentucky Derby receives about $1.86 million, with about 10 percent of that going to the jockey.
What horse is most likely to win the Kentucky Derby? ›Kentucky Derby favorite Angel of Empire works out at Churchill Downs Tuesday. LOUISVILLE, Ky. — As post time approaches, it appears that Angel of Empire, at 4-1, will be the favorite for 149th running of the Kentucky Derby. Tapit Trice is the second choice at 9-2.
Is there a filly in Kentucky Derby 2023? ›Filly Joel | 2023 Kentucky Derby & Oaks | May 5 and May 6, 2023.
Who had the best odds to win the Kentucky Derby? ›The race took place on May 10, 1913. The winning time of 2.04. 80 set a new Derby record. With odds of 91–1, winning horse Donerail is the longest odds winner in Kentucky Derby history.
How does the Kentucky Derby work? ›Each year 20 horses have the once in a lifetime chance to run in the Kentucky Derby. To earn a spot in the starting gate, they must travel along the Road to the Kentucky Derby, a series of designated races at tracks across the country and around the world. Points are awarded to the top four finishers in each race.
What horses are in the 2023 Kentucky Derby? ›- Hit Show (26-1)
- Verifying (16-1)
- Two Phil's (8-1)
- Confidence Game (17-1)
- Tapit Trice (9-2)
- Kingsbarn (10-1)
- Reincarnate (13-1)
- Mage (18-1)
Why does the Kentucky Derby start at 6 57? ›
The mouthwatering Kentucky Derby is scheduled to get underway from 6:57pm ET as that is the time Churchill Downs attempts to have the horses leave the gates. However, the race rarely does begin at that exact time and it varies between how long it takes the horses to walk from the barn to the Paddock.
Is rich strike racing in the Kentucky Derby 2023? ›Rich Strike, winner of the 2022 Kentucky Derby as an 80-1 long shot, returned to Churchill Downs to make his 2023 racing debut on Friday.
What time does TV coverage start for the Kentucky Derby? ›The 149th annual Kentucky Derby coverage will begin at 10:30 a.m. ET and will run through 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 6. Post time for the main event is 6:57 p.m.
What time does the KY Derby run? ›What time does the Kentucky Derby start? NBC's live coverage will begin at noon Eastern, hosted by Tirico. The race will post at 6:57 p.m., and will stream on the NBC Sports App and on Peacock.
How do you dress for a Kentucky Derby party? ›A pantsuit, cocktail dress or business formal attire is recommended. Of course, you'll want to accessorize accordingly. Pearls, a vineyard vines clutch and a stunning Derby hat are a must! Casual is key.
What is the best position in Kentucky Derby? ›Which post position has the most Kentucky Derby wins? History is on the side of Tapit Trace, as the highest number of Derby winners have come from the No. 5 spot. Ten of the 93 horses that began in that gate went on to be crowned champion, more than any other post position.
How often do Derby favorites win? ›Favorites have won 56 of the last 148 editions of the Kentucky Derby, including six straight from 2013 to 2018.
What is the most popular Kentucky Derby? ›Secretariat. Probably the most recognizable name of all the horses that have participated in the Kentucky Derby, Secretariat won in 1973, which was the 99th running of the race.
Can Canadians bet on the Kentucky Derby? ›The 2023 Kentucky Derby will kick off the race for the Triple Crown at Churchill Downs on Saturday, May 6th. Now that sports betting is legal in Canada, horseplayers don't have to visit the track or drive to the nearest casino to place a bet on the race.
Who owns the horse that won the Kentucky Derby? ›Mage was sold twice at auction: New Team bought him for $235,000 at the Keeneland Association September Yearling Sale in 2021, and then he was acquired by Ogma Investments for $290,000 at the Fasing-Tipton Midlantic Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale in May 2022. Mage won the Derby at 15-1 odds.
How many horses run in the Kentucky Derby? ›
Kentucky Derby 2023: Mage rallies to win race marked by lineup changes. The 149th running of the Kentucky Derby features a competitive field of 18 horses. Follow along for live updates, the latest betting odds and results.
How many races are in the Kentucky Derby 2023? ›The 2023 Derby is the 149th iteration and will feature 14 races throughout the day.
What is the dress code for Derby Day? ›The Cardinal Rules
The dress code for men and women on Derby Day is Black and White – but you can get away with shades of grey. The official flower for Derby Day is the cornflower.
...
| Purchase Date | Price |
|---|---|
| March 1 – April 17 at 11:59PM ET | $77 |
| April 18 – Day Before Event at 11:59PM ET | $82 |
| Day of Event (May 6) | $87 |
Channel 68 (Regional) / Channel 78 (Metro) should automatically appear in the channel list of most TVs. If not, then the first thing to do is to re-tune your TV. Most TVs have an option to automatically re-scan channels within the TV menu. In many cases, the channel will appear after completing this process.
How much does a jockey get if his horse wins? ›The purse for the 2023 Kentucky Derby is $3 million, the highest purse of the Triple Crown races. $1.86 million of that amount will be for the winning horse's owner, while the winning jockey will take 10% of that amount, $186,000. The remaining purse is shared among the second through fifth-place finishers.
Do all jockeys get paid? ›Let's break it down. Unlike most athletes jockeys are almost all self-employed (although a few top riders have contracts to ride for individual trainers or owners) – which means that rather than being paid a fixed salary, they charge for each job they take.
How much does it cost to win the Kentucky Derby? ›The Kentucky Derby, which brings in a $3 million purse, is the highest purse of the Triple Crown races. The Belmont Stakes comes closely behind with a $1.5 million purse.
Do jockeys get paid if they don't win? ›The real money for jockeys comes from prize money, if they can ride a horse to finish first, second or third in a race and earn part of the purse. The percentages a jockey receives for a Thoroughbred race range from 5% for a second- or third-place finish to 10% for first place.
What is the weight limit for a jockey? ›The Kentucky Derby, for example, has a weight limit of 126 lb (57 kg) including the jockey's equipment. The weight of a jockey racing on the flat usually ranges from 108 to 118 lb (49 to 54 kg).
How much does a jockey weigh? ›
On average, horse jockeys weigh between 108 to 118 pounds & their height is 4'10” to 5'6″. To ride a horse in a race, jockeys must meet a weight limit set by the racing commission.
Which horse race has the most prize money? ›In 2020, the Saudi Cup will boast the highest prize money in the world with a bounty of $20 million. Simply put, the sport of kings can yield a king's ransom. Here is a look at some of the richest events on the horse racing calendar. The Pegasus World Cup was the richest horse race in 2018.
How much money did secretariat make? ›- 1- Kentucky Derby. The Kentucky Derby is also called 'the fastest two minutes in sports' and is enormously popular in the world. ...
- 2- Breeders' Cup Classic. ...
- 3- Gold Cup at Ascot. ...
- 4- Grand National. ...
- 5- Dubai World Cup. ...
- 6- Preakness Stakes.
US viewers can watch Kentucky Derby coverage on NBC, NBCSports.com, and Peacock.
At what time & TV channel is the Kentucky Derby today? ›What channel is the Kentucky Derby on? The most exciting two minutes in sports will be easier than ever to watch this year, with a record 7.5 hours of race day coverage scheduled to air on NBC and stream on Peacock beginning at 12 p.m. ET on Saturday, May 6. You can also watch the race via NBC on Yahoo Sports.
How many horses race in the Kentucky Derby 2023? ›The 2023 Kentucky Derby field features just 18 horses following five scratches, including morning-line favorite Forte just hours before Saturday's 6:57 p.m. ET post time. Which horses have value as 2023 Kentucky Derby bets?
Which horse is favored to win the Kentucky Derby? ›Kentucky Derby favorite Angel of Empire works out at Churchill Downs Tuesday. LOUISVILLE, Ky. — As post time approaches, it appears that Angel of Empire, at 4-1, will be the favorite for 149th running of the Kentucky Derby. Tapit Trice is the second choice at 9-2.
What network is airing the Kentucky Derby? ›Watch the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, May 6 on NBC, NBCSports.com, the NBC Sports app and Peacock from 12 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. ET.
What time is main race at Kentucky Derby? ›Main race scheduled for 6:57 p.m. Kentucky Derby entrant Tapit Trice works out at Churchill Downs Thursday, May 4, 2023, in Louisville, Ky. The 149th running of the Kentucky Derby is scheduled for Saturday, May 6. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) (Charlie Riedel, Copyright 2023 The Associated Press.
What time do the horses run in the Kentucky Derby? ›
What time does the Kentucky Derby start? NBC's live coverage will begin at noon Eastern, hosted by Tirico. The race will post at 6:57 p.m., and will stream on the NBC Sports App and on Peacock.
Who are the Kentucky Derby favorites? ›Tapit Trice and Angel of Empire are now the 9-2 co-favorite in the 2023 Kentucky Derby odds, while Derma Sotogake and Two Phil's are next on the board at 7-1. Kingsbarns is next at 9-1 with Reincarnate at 13-1 and Verifying, a son of Triple Crown winner Justify, priced at 16-1.
Can a 4 year old horse run in the Kentucky Derby? ›you can only be a 3-year-old colt on the first Saturday in May one time." For more on this year's field, check out Anita Marks' 2023 Kentucky Derby betting guide.
What gender are the horses in the Kentucky Derby? ›What Gender of Horse Races in the Kentucky Derby? Both male and female horses race in the Kentucky Derby. However, only three female horses (also known as fillies) have won the Kentucky Derby.
How often does the favorite horse win the Kentucky Derby? ›In the pari-mutuel era, favorites win more than a third of the time. The Kentucky Derby has been contested 115 times since 1908, and the post-time favorite has won the race 40 times.
How often does the favored horse win the Kentucky Derby? ›Over the years, clear-cut favorites have won the Kentucky Derby 40 times out of 115 contested races, translating to a 34.78% winning rate. Most recently, the race-time favorite won each race between 2013 and 2018.
What horses are favorite to win? ›| Grand National Favourites 2024 | Grand National Ante-Post Odds |
|---|---|
| Fastorslow | 25/1 |
| Kitty's Light | 25/1 |
| Any Second Now | 28/1 |
| Mahler Mission | 33/1 |