The 2018 Kentucky Derby will mark the 144th edition of the storied horse race at Churchill Downs, a 1 1/4-mile contest for three-year-olds that serves as the first leg of the Thoroughbred Triple Crown.

Held annually on the first Saturday in May, the Kentucky Derby is the most celebrated event in horse racing, a defining achievement for every winning horse, owner, trainer and jockey. It takes approximately two minutes to compete under the famed Twin Spires.

The Kentucky Derby represents the one race that every casual fan knows. More people are watching and wagering upon the Kentucky Derby nationally by a wide margin, and its popularity attracts an enormous crowd, with a record 170,513 spectators in 2015.

While there will be many on hand at Churchill Downs, most race viewers will be tuned in live with their Televisions or on TwinSpires.com and the TwinSpires mobile App. Watching remotely presents the unique opportunity of engaging in up to the minute coverage for the most informed betting. Be sure to get your 2018 Kentucky Derby betting completed with our array of tools and information releasing consistently all week.

Known as the Run for the Roses, for the garland presented to the winner, the Kentucky Derby rates as one of the world’s great sporting events – the longest continuously-run horse race in the United States.

144th Kentucky Oaks Day (Friday, May 4th) The best three-year-old fillies in the country will compete for top honors to kick-off the events of the weekend with the 143rd Kentucky Oaks.

There will also be several graded stakes races leading up to the main event of Friday Night’s program including the following:

Please return here after the stakes schedule has been released for 2018.

Kentucky Derby Day (Saturday, May 5th)

The Kentucky Derby Undercard features several events typically beginning with the Distaff Mile and ending with the Woodward Reserve Turf Classic. These are all high-profile races that feature some of the most amazing talent from around the world.

Both the 144th Kentucky Derby and the undercard will most likely be broadcast on NBC, with a likely lead-in show on NBC Sports Network earlier in the day.

Please return here after the stakes schedule has been released for 2018.
Below are airing times for 2017.

DATE TIME (EST) EVENT NETWORK
May 3rd 5:30 – 6:00pm Post Position Draw NBC Sports Network
May 5th 12:30 – 6:15pm Kentucky Oaks 143 NBC Sports Network
May 6th 12:00 – 2:30pm Kentucky Derby Undercard NBC Sports Network
May 6th 2:30 – 7:30pm 143rd Kentucky Derby NBC