What time is the Kentucky Derby today? Post time, TV channel, horses & more to watch 2023 race

05-06-2023
5 min read
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Horse racing springs back into the spotlight on Saturday with the 149th annual Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. 

Last year, jockey Sonny Leon and Rich Strike pulled a massive upset to win their share of the $3 million purse. The horse initially wasn't meant to be in the race, but a late scratch gave Rich Strike a spot in the field and the second-longest shot to win at 80-1 odds in the 20th post.

A new crop of 3-year-olds is set to run in Louisville today. Will morning-line favorite Forte come through, or will there be another upset? 

MORE: Watch the Kentucky Derby live with Fubo (free trial)

Here's what you need to know to watch the 2023 Kentucky Derby:

LIVE: Kentucky Derby race updates, results, highlights from 2023 Triple Crown race

What time is the Kentucky Derby today?

  • Date: Saturday, May 6
  • Post time: 6:57 p.m. ET

The Kentucky Derby, the first leg in horse racing's Triple Crown, will begin at 6:57 p.m. ET on Saturday, May 6.

The event is taking place at Churchill Downs, which has a maximum capacity of more than 150,000, but the Derby isn't the only race on the docket. 

Here's a full schedule for Derby Day, which will feature more than 10 hours of racing:

Event Time (ET)
Gates open 9 a.m.
Race 1 10:30 a.m.
Race 2 11:01 a.m.
Race 3 11:31 a.m.
Race 4 12:04 p.m.
Race 5 12:36 p.m.
Race 6 1:14 p.m.
Race 7 1:56 p.m.
Race 8 2:46 p.m.
Race 9 3:40 p.m.
Race 10 4:31 p.m.
Race 11 5:27 p.m.
Race 12 (Kentucky Derby) 6:57 p.m.
Race 13 7:55 p.m.
Race 14 8:30 p.m.

What channel is the Kentucky Derby on?

  • TV channel: NBC
  • Live stream: NBCSports.com | NBC Sports app | Peacock | Fubo

For 23 years, the Kentucky Derby has claimed a home on NBC.

Mike Tirico, who's been at the helm of several big events like the World Cup and Olympics, will serve as the studio host for his seventh consecutive year, while Larry Collmus, the network's go-to when it comes to horse coverage, will be on the race call. They'll be joined by a team of other NBC correspondents:

Name Position
Jerry Bailey Analyst
Randy Moss Analyst
Eddie Olczyk Handicapper
Matt Bernier Handicapper
Ahmed Fareed Secondary host
Britney Eurton Reporter
Donna Brothers Reporter
Kenny Rice Reporter
Nick Luck Reporter
Rebecca Lowe Contributor
Steve Kornacki Contributor
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Contributor
Matthew Berry Betting contributor
Dylan Dreyer Fashion/lifestyle correspondent
Sanya Richards-Ross Fashion/lifestyle correspondent

If you've cut the cord, don't fret. You can watch the race on a multitude of different platforms, including NBCSports.com, the NBC app, Peacock and Fubo, which offers a free seven-day trial.

MORE: Full draw and odds for 2023 race

Kentucky Derby horses 2023

Post position Horse Odds
1 Hit Show 26-1
2 Verifying 16-1
3 Two Phil's 8-1
4 Confidence Game 17-1
5 Tapit Trice 9-2
6 Kingsbarns 10-1
7 Reincarnate 13-1
8 Mage 18-1
9 Disarm 25-1
10 Jace's Road 32-1
11 Sun Thunder 30-1
12 Angel of Empire 9-2
13 Raise Cain 30-1
14 Derma Sotogake 7-1
15 Rocket Can 27-1
16 Cyclone Mischief 30-1
17 Mandarin Hero 21-1
18 King Russell 31-1