Get ready for the 151st Run for the Roses at Churchill Downs
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Gather around the television with your mint juleps and fancy hats. The Kentucky Derby will take place today – Saturday, May 3 – live from historic Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. The horse racing spectacle is available to watch on multiple streaming services for free.
The 151st Run for the Roses main event will be broadcast live on NBC and Peacock with the showcase race taking place at approximately 6:57 p.m. Eastern. If you can’t watch the fastest two minutes in sports on cable, you can always find live streams with free trials from Fubo ($30 off first month) and DirecTV Stream. There are also promotional offers from Sling TV, which include half off your first month for new subscribers.
How many races are in the 2025 Kentucky Derby?
The 2024 Kentucky Derby will feature 14 races throughout the day Saturday.
What time do the Kentucky Derby races start?
The Kentucky Derby begins with the first race at 11 a.m. Eastern. The early evening main event will take place at approximately 6:57 p.m. The final race is scheduled for 8:33 p.m.
Which horse is the favorite to win the Kentucky Derby?
Journalism (3-1) is the favorite to win the 2025 Kentucky Derby, followed by Sovereignty (5-1) and Sandman (6-1).
How do the Kentucky Derby main event horses qualify?
Horses competed in qualifying races since September 2025 to earn their spot in the coveted lineup at the starting gate. Those are the 20 horses with the highest scores based on their performance. They also must be 3-year-old thoroughbreds.
Does Toby Keith have a horse in the Kentucky Derby?
Yes, the late Toby Keith, a country music star who passed away of stomach cancer, has one horse in the 2025 Kentucky Derby: No. 15 Render Judgement.
Is Bob Baffert racing a horse in the Kentucky Derby?
Yes, controversial trainer Bob Baffert has been allowed to return to the Kentucky Derby after he served a three-year ban when 2021 winner Medina Spirit tested positive for a banned steroid. The horse was stripped of its win after a second positive test. No. 1 Citizen Bull is Baffert’s only horse in the 2025 Kentucky Derby.
What horses are in the main event Kentucky Derby for 2025?
Citizen Bull (20-1), Neoequos (30-1), Final Gambit (30-1), American Promise (30-1), Admire Daytona (30-1), Luxor Cafe (15-1), Journalism (3-1), Burnham Square (12-1), Flying Mohawk (30-1), East Avenue (20-1), Publisher (20-1), Tiztastic (20-1), Render Judgment (30-1), Coal Battle (30-1), Sandman (6-1), Sovereignty (5-1), Chunk of Gold (30-1), Owen Almighty (30-1), Baeza (12-1).
*Grande was scratched Friday due to a foot bruise.
How much does the winner of the 2025 Kentucky Derby receive?
The first-place finisher earns $3.1 million and a garland of roses. The runner-up will receive $1 million. Third place gets $500,000.
What is the forecast for the Kentucky Derby?
The forecast calls for temperatures near 63 degrees with rain showers and a 69% chance of rain. Winds could gust up to 15 mph.
How to watch the Kentucky Derby
The beginning races from 10:30 a.m. Eastern will air on Peacock. Coverage will continue with USA and Peacock from 12 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. The broadcast heads to NBC and Peacock from 2:20 to 7:30 p
