The 150th running of the Kentucky Derby will take place on Saturday, May 4th, 2024, at Churchill Downs Racetrack in Louisville, Kentucky. Often referred to as “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports,” the Kentucky Derby is filled with tradition, excitement, and fashion on the first Saturday in May each year.
In this article, we will explore all the essential details fans need to know about the 2024 Kentucky Derby, including:
- Post-time and TV coverage
- Qualifying races and prep races leading up to the Derby
- Tickets, seating, and attending the event
- Famous horses, jockeys, and trainers to watch
- Traditions like mint juleps, hats, and yelling, “Yabba Dabba Doo!”
- Predictions and favorites to win the 150th Run for the Roses
So whether you plan to attend in person or watch from home, keep reading to find out the time of the Kentucky Derby 2024 and everything you need to know about the 150th anniversary!
Post Time and TV Coverage for the 150th Kentucky Derby
The 2024 Kentucky Derby post time is scheduled for 6:57 pm EDT on Saturday, May 4th, from Churchill Downs. This means the horses and jockeys will enter the starting gates at approximately 6:57 pm to begin the “two minutes of fury” around the legendary one-and-a-quarter-mile dirt track.
NBC Sports will again televise the 150th Run for the Roses, with coverage beginning at 2:30 pm EDT on NBC. Coverage will include pre-race festivities and interviews before the main event at approximately 6:57 pm. Craig Melvin, Randy Moss, and Jerry Bailey will host the broadcast and call the race from the booth.
Fans who can’t make it to Louisville in person can also stream the 2024 Kentucky Derby live on the NBC Sports app or NBCSports.com. International viewers can watch outside the US on TVWan or other streaming services.
Race Qualifiers and Prep Races Leading Up to the Kentucky Derby
To qualify for the Kentucky Derby, horses must accumulate certain points in graded stakes races designated as qualifying prep races throughout the winter and spring seasons. Some of the top prep races award more qualifying points than others. what time is the Kentucky Derby 2024
Some of the major prep races and qualifying points for the 2024 Derby include:
- Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (100 qualifying points to the winner)
- Risen Star Stakes (50-20-10 points)
- Fountain of Youth Stakes (50-20-10 points)
- Rebel Stakes (50-20-10 points)
- Santa Anita Derby (100-40-20 points)
- Arkansas Derby (100-40-20 points)
- Blue Grass Stakes (100-40-20 points)
- Wood Memorial (100-40-20 points)
The top 20 point earners from these races will, barring injuries, qualify to run in the Kentucky Derby on the first Saturday in May. Keep an eye out starting in late 2023 for these qualifying prep races!
Tickets, Seating, and Attending the 2024 Kentucky Derby
Attending the Kentucky Derby in person is an exceptional experience. Here are some key things to know about getting tickets and seating options for the 150th Derby:
Ticket prices vary greatly depending on seating location. General admission tickets can be found for under $100, while prime seating, like box seats, can exceed $1,000 per ticket. Right by the finish line, the most exclusive seats are in Millionaire’s Row.
Churchill Downs offers a range of seating options, including box seats, clubhouse seating, general admission infield access, and more. Box seating provides the best views and amenities, while the infield is a classic Derby experience for larger groups, with room to spread out on blankets.
Tickets should be purchased early because the Kentucky Derby frequently sells out. January- March is an excellent window to shop for tickets. To handle the crowds, only pre-paid parking ($20) is available on Derby Day.
Make it a complete event experience by coming early for tailgating, checking out attractions like the Derby Museum, catching the huge crowds, and partying in style on the infield and around Louisville. The energy and tradition on Derby Day make it truly “the most exciting two minutes in sports!”
Famous Jockeys, Trainers, and Potential Horses to Watch in the 2024 Derby
While two minutes seems like a short time, the Kentucky Derby witnesses brilliant athletic performances from some of the greatest jockeys and trainers in horse racing over its 150-year history. Some names to keep an eye out for in 2024 include:
- Jockeys Mike Smith, Florent Geroux, and Joel Rosario have all won multiple Kentucky Derbies and will be in top form to compete. Young gun Irad Ortiz Jr could surprise.
- Trainer Todd Pletcher, based in New York, has won the Derby an unmatched five times and always fields top contenders. Bob Baffert constantly threatens with multiple horses despite the recent suspension.
- Longshot Country House was awarded the 2019 Derby win, and it could run progeny. Other famous horses that sired foals eligible in 2024 include Always Dreaming Nyquist and Authentic.
- Emerging champions from major 2023 prep races may prove their worth on the first Saturday in May. Watch exciting two-year-old races for future stars!
Of course, an unknown future superstar could come from anywhere, too. Only time will tell which incredible animal athletes rise to Derby glory during the milestone 150th running!
Traditions and Atmosphere of the Kentucky Derby
From mint juleps and fancy hats to Yabba Dabba Doo chants and thick crowds, traditions, and atmosphere are what make the Kentucky Derby experience one of a kind. Here are a few classic things to embrace on Derby Day:
- Sip on the official drink – the Kentucky Derby Mint Julep – made with mint, bourbon, and sugar for a refreshing taste of the South.
- Wear your most creative, elaborate hat since it’s the ultimate Derby fashion accessory. Big, bright colors and wild designs are parred for the course.
- Pack a picnic basket for the infield. Make sandwiches, bring snacks, and set up on a blanket for a fun, social atmosphere.
- Join in yelling “Yabba Dabba Doo!” during the post-parade as a good luck toast to the horses and the lure of Flintstones vitamins.
- Watch “My Old Kentucky Home,” which has been playing since 1938. It never fails to inspire goosebumps before the main event.
- Play along with enthusiasm, bounce houses, concerts, and enthusiasm that will turn Churchill into a mini-musical festival.
Evolving beloved traditions like these makes the fan experience at the Derby so uniquely American and memorable each year.
Predictions, Odds, and Potential Favorites at the 2024 Kentucky Derby
While it’s still very early, here’s a quick speculation of potential favorites and top contenders based on siring lines and early 2-year-old form almost two years before the 2024 Kentucky Derby:
- Gun Runner colts out of talented dams could prove very tough, especially those in the Todd Pletcher barn. He’s already sired winners.
- Nyquist, Always Dreaming, and California Chrome weanlings could also provide some talent, depending on early runs.
- Bob Baffert has a way of putting himself in contention, and after his recent multiple-winner success, he will have multiple shots.
- Chad Brown, Brad Cox, or Steve Asmussen could dark horse it with under-the-radar runners.
Of course, the future is unpredictable, and injuries can derail potential superstars. An unraced two-year-old could wow in late 2023 maiden races, too. Check futures odds boards in late 2023 for early wagering value as the field develops.
In Conclusion
The Kentucky Derby has delivered iconic moments, surprises, controversy, and excellence since 1875. On May 4th, 2024, another champion will emerge from what is sure to be an electrifying race as the event celebrates 150 years. Whether watching at home or planning to attend, we hope this guide helped inform and excite you for the magic of the Run for the Roses at Churchill Downs. Good luck, and enjoy the race!
