The Kentucky Derby is one of the great traditions in sports, bringing together all kinds of well-known figures for a two-minute race at Churchill Downs.
Like any outdoor event, the Kentucky Derby (plus everyone in attendance) is at the whim of Mother Nature. Past races have been affected by everything from rain and wind to cold temperatures and even snow in 1989.
Some weather conditions might affect spectators more than the horses themselves, but significant rain can result in a muddy track and change the complexion of the race. That's exactly what happened in 2018, when more than three inches of rain fell on Derby Day and created sloppy conditions for the horses.
The 144th #KyDerby was the wettest in Derby history with 3.15 inches of rain. pic.twitter.com/TSVqiQjw8u
— Kentucky Derby (@KentuckyDerby) May 2, 2023
Here are the latest weather updates ahead of the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby on Saturday.
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Kentucky Derby weather updates
Follow along below for updates on the weather forecast for the 2023 Kentucky Derby.
Thursday, May 4
According to the National Weather Service, there is a 60 percent chance of rain showers in Louisville on Saturday, though the bulk of the rain is expected to fall before 9 a.m. ET. The temperature is expected to be 70 degrees. It likely won't be the most picturesque day at Churchill Downs, but the odds of rain during the race are low at this point.
It's possible Friday's overnight conditions could have a bigger impact on the race. Rain is forecasted to start near 9 p.m. ET on Friday night lasting through the morning. Heavier than expected rain could affect the track heading into Saturday's race.
The current timeline should leave enough time to get the track in good shape before the Kentucky Derby, but with several races in the leadup to the main event, more rain than expected could affect the track conditions.
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Luckily, even the worst-case scenario doesn't look like it will be as bad as 2018, when the track simply couldn't handle all of the rain and devolved into a muddy mess.
