The 149th running of the Kentucky Derby will take place on the first Saturday in May. This weekend, twenty horses will be racing, so grab your most dramatic hat or a tasty mint julep and get ready to watch the 149th Kentucky Derby. This year’s Triple Crown begins with the Run for the Roses on Saturday, May 6, and you don’t have to be in the South to enjoy the equestrian festivities. Whether you’re planning a Derby party, betting on your favourite horse, or simply watching the Triple Crown races, here’s everything you need to know about the 2023 Kentucky Derby, including predictions, post positions, how to watch or stream the Derby without cable, and more.
How to watch the 2023 Kentucky Derby Live Anywhere:
Viewers around the world can watch the action live on the following channels and here for free:
Live Broadcast: 2023 Kentucky Derby Live
When and Where 2023 Kentucky Derby
Date: Saturday, May 6, 2023
Race start time: 6:57 p.m ET
Location: Churchill Downs
What is the Kentucky Derby?
The Kentucky Derby is the first leg of horse racing’s American Triple Crown. It is traditionally held on the first Saturday in May. This 1 1/4 mile (or 10 furlongs) race was first raced in 1875 on the dirt track at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, where it has been held since.
Only three-year-old Thoroughbreds are eligible for the Kentucky Derby. Eligible horses compete in the Road to the Kentucky Derby, a 35-race global series. Horses earn points for finishing in the top four positions, and the 20 horses with the highest points at the end of the series qualify for the Derby.
Who is the favourite to win the 2023 Kentucky Derby?
Forte, a horse trained by Todd Pletcher and ridden by Irad Ortiz, is widely regarded as the favourite to win this year’s derby. Forte, the reigning champion in the 3-year-old division, has been drawn in post No. 15 for the forthcoming race.
Audiences, on the other hand, adore a dark horse, and there will undoubtedly be plenty of people looking to place bets on a less obvious candidate this Saturday.
What channel is the Kentucky Derby on?
With a record 7.5 hours of race day coverage slated to air on NBC and stream on Peacock beginning at 12 p.m. ET on Saturday, May 6, the most exciting two minutes in sports will be easier to watch than ever.
However, the Derby Day coverage will begin prior to the race on Friday, May 5 at 1 p.m., with five hours of Kentucky Oaks day racing airing on USA Network and streaming on Peacock. NBC will broadcast 15 live races from Churchill Downs over the course of two days.
If you already have access to NBC, you should be good to go! There is no reason to continue reading. If you’re not sure how to watch NBC’s Kentucky Derby coverage in 2023, hold your horses and read on for our recommendations for the best method to watch the event, including streaming, cable, and more.
A Peacock membership, which starts at $5 per month, is the simplest way to watch live sports and events on NBC, including this year’s Kentucky Derby! You’ll also have access to thousands of hours of episodes and movies, including popular sitcoms like “Parks and Recreation” and “The Office,” as well as newer films like “Cocaine Bear” and “M3GAN.” You may subscribe to an ad-free membership for $10 per month, which includes live access to your local NBC Channel (not just during specific sports and events) and the ability to download select titles to watch offline.
Kentucky Derby 2023 post positions
Derby post positions were drawn May 1, here’s where each horse will start on race day:
- Hit Show
- Verifying
- Two Phil’s
- Confidence Game
- Tapit Trice
- Kingsbarns
- Reincarnate
- Mage
- Skinner
- Practical Move
- Disarm
- Jace’s Road
- Sun Thunder
- Angel of Empire
- Forte
- Raise Cain
- Derma Sotogake
- Rocket Can
- Lord Miles
- Continuar
