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What Time is the Kentucky Derby? (2023)

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The Kentucky Derby, also known as the “Run for the Roses,” is one of the most prestigious and highly anticipated sporting events in the world. Held annually on the first Saturday in May at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, the Kentucky Derby attracts fans and participants from all over the globe. However, 2020 was a year of unprecedented events that resulted in the postponing of the race to September without in-person attendees. The race returned to its usual place on the first Saturday in May in 2021 as it welcomed a limited number of guests. The question on many fans’ minds now is what time is the 2023 Kentucky Derby?

BREAKING: Practical Move, Lord Miles, and Continuar Scratched from 2023 Kentucky Derby

2023 Kentucky Derby: How to Watch & Start Time

Start Time

According to tradition, the Kentucky Derby takes place on the first Saturday in May. Therefore, the 2023 Kentucky Derby will take place on Saturday, May 6, 2023. As for the exact time of the race, it depends on the schedule of the day’s events.

Typically, the gates at Churchill Downs open at 8:00 am local time, and the first race takes place around 10:30 am. However, the Kentucky Derby is the twelfth and final race on the card, and the race usually starts at approximately 6:30 pm ET.

In 2023, the post time for the Kentucky Derby is expected to be 6:57 pm ET.

How to Watch

  • Date: Saturday, May 6, 2023
  • Derby Start Time: 6:57 pm ET
  • Location: Churchill Downs, Louisville, Kentucky
  • Television: NBC
  • Streaming: Peacock

Typically, the gates at Churchill Downs open at 8:00 am local time, and the first race takes place around 10:30 am. However, the Kentucky Derby is the twelfth and final race on the card, and the race usually starts at approximately 6:30 pm EST. Therefore, enthusiasts, bettors, and horse owners should brace themselves to spend a full day at the races, as there will be plenty of pre-race festivities, including meet-and-greets with the jockeys, performances by various artists, fashion shows, and delicious food and beverages from vendors located around the tracks.

The Kentucky Derby lasts for around two minutes and features twenty of the world’s best three-year-old thoroughbred horses racing over a distance of one and a quarter miles. The winner of the Kentucky Derby receives the iconic garland of roses, a $3 million purse, and the first jewel of the Triple Crown.

To participate in or attend the Kentucky Derby, one must purchase tickets in advance. Tickets can be sold in several categories, ranging from reserved seating to general admission. Reserved seating options include clubhouse boxes, grandstand boxes, and premium box seats. General admission tickets will give you access to the Paddock and the Infield, where you can enjoy live music, games, and other activities.

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