Twenty horses stampeding 1 1/4 miles around Churchill Downs on the first Saturday in May. The Kentucky Derby turns 150 years old this year, extending its run as America’s longest continuously held sporting event.
The 2-minute race features a dash out of the starting gate, especially for the horses breaking from posts 15-20 whose jockeys want to angle them in to save ground. There’s a scramble for positioning going into the first turn before the field stretches out on the backside. The pace picks up heading into the final turn before the thrilling run through the stretch with 150,000 fans cheering.
6:57 p.m. Eastern on Saturday.
Saturday’s forecast is for 79 degrees (26 Celsius) with a 52% chance of rain. The last sloppy track for the Derby was in 2019, when Country House was declared the winner after a 22-minute review by the stewards. Maximum Security crossed the line first, but was disqualified for interference. The Churchill dirt strip has been listed as fast for the last four Derbies.
With Djokovic awaiting the winner, Murray trails Hanfmann at rain
Summer movies set sizzling pace
Crafting a world at his fingertips
Cultural conference opens in Xinjiang
Kristin Cavallari, 37, ignores critics of her age
Archives give voice to immigrants
Xi, Uruguayan President Hold Talks, Elevate Ties to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership
With Djokovic awaiting the winner, Murray trails Hanfmann at rain
Orchestra celebrates the nation's musical youth
Four people killed in a house explosion in southwestern Missouri
China's AG600M firefighting aircraft completes cold