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

Sara Tidwell

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

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:

EventTime (ET)
Gates open9 a.m.
Race 110:30 a.m.
Race 211:01 a.m.
Race 311:31 a.m.
Race 412:04 p.m.
Race 512:36 p.m.
Race 61:14 p.m.
Race 71:56 p.m.
Race 82:46 p.m.
Race 93:40 p.m.
Race 104:31 p.m.
Race 115:27 p.m.
Race 12 (Kentucky Derby)6:57 p.m.
Race 137:55 p.m.
Race 148:30 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:

NamePosition
Jerry BaileyAnalyst
Randy MossAnalyst
Eddie OlczykHandicapper
Matt BernierHandicapper
Ahmed FareedSecondary host
Britney EurtonReporter
Donna BrothersReporter
Kenny RiceReporter
Nick LuckReporter
Rebecca LoweContributor
Steve KornackiContributor
Dale Earnhardt Jr.Contributor
Matthew BerryBetting contributor
Dylan DreyerFashion/lifestyle correspondent
Sanya Richards-RossFashion/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 positionHorseOdds
1Hit Show26-1
2Verifying16-1
3Two Phil's8-1
4Confidence Game17-1
5Tapit Trice9-2
6Kingsbarns10-1
7Reincarnate13-1
8Mage18-1
9Disarm25-1
10Jace's Road32-1
11Sun Thunder30-1
12Angel of Empire9-2
13Raise Cain30-1
14Derma Sotogake7-1
15Rocket Can27-1
16Cyclone Mischief30-1
17Mandarin Hero21-1
18King Russell31-1

Sara Tidwell

Sara Tidwell is an editorial intern with The Sporting News. A native to Michigan's Thumb region, she received her Bachelor's degree in journalism from Michigan State University. Previous bylines include the Detroit News, Cincinnati Enquirer, Hartford Courant and The State News.