The Kentucky Derby 2024
May 7, 2024This Saturday marks the 150th run for the roses.
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Few sporting events are shrouded in history and tradition as much as the Kentucky Derby. Billed as the “the fastest two minutes in sports,” the Derby began in 1875 and is celebrated each year on the first Sunday in May.
Many horse racing fans make entire weekends out of the Derby, planning their celebrations months in advance of the race. Churchill Downs has a regular capacity of 165,000, including general admission tickets. A
For those who cannot travel to Churchill Downs and attend the race in person, viewing parties are available all over the globe.
The pageantry surrounding the Kentucky Derby is well documented, but the following are a few interesting tidbits about the famed “Run for the Roses®.”
· The Kentucky Derby began when Meriwether Lewis Clark traveled to Europe and attended the Epsom Derby in England. Clark was inspired to create a similar horse racing event in America.
· 2024 marks the 150th running of the race.
· Each year, roughly 120,000 mint juleps are consumed at Churchill Downs. The mint julep is the traditional drink of the Derby, and it is made with Kentucky bourbon, simple syrup, mint, crushed ice, and powdered sugar. Please see our Cuisine Section for the perfect mint julep recipe.
· Secretariat is the fastest horse in Derby history, crossing the finish line in less than two minutes.
· There have been 19 winning horses in Kentucky Derby history whose names begin with the letter “S”.
· On Derby Day, the infield at Churchill Downs typically hosts 80,000 celebrants.
· The Kentucky Derby race track is 1and 1/4 miles, which has been the standard since 1896. The first Derby races were slightly longer, at 1 and 1/2 miles.
· Male horses win the race more often than females. Of the 40 fillies to compete throughout Derby history, only three have won.
· Elegantly dressed women donning over-the-top hats usually grace Churchill Downs for the race. Many begin planning their styles and securing their hats weeks in advance.
· The best finish for a female jockey at the Derby was fifth place. Rosie Napravnik finished fifth while riding Mylute in 2013.
· “The Run for the Roses” refers to the red rose blanket that will be draped over the winner of the Derby.
The 2024 Kentucky Derby will air on this Saturday, May 4th with coverage from Churchill beginning at 2:30 ET on NBC. Coverage is also available to stream live on NBCSports.com, the NBC Sports app and Peacock. Post time for the 2024 Kentucky Derby is set for approximately 6:57 p.m. ET. Riders-up will be approximately 6:30 ET.
For the first time, post positions were drawn on Saturday at the newly-renovated paddock at Churchill Downs, a full week ahead of the annual races at Churchill Downs and not on the Monday prior.
Hope you can enjoy the Kentucky Derby this weekend!
2024 Kentucky Derby horses and odds (via CBS Sports)
Number (Post) Horse Trainer Jockey Morning-line odds
1 | Dornoch | Danny Gargan | Luis Saez | 20-1 (+2000) |
2 | Sierra Leone | Chad Brown | Tyler Gaffalione | 3-1 (+300) |
3 | Mystik Dan | Kenny McPeek | Brian Hernandez Jr. | 20-1 (+2000) |
4 | Catching Freedom | Brad Cox | Flavien Prat | 8-1 (+800) |
5 | Catalytic | Saffie Joseph Jr. | José Ortiz | 30-1 (+3000) |
6 | Just Steel | D. Wayne Lukas | Keith Asmussen | 20-1 (+2000) |
7 | Honor Marie | Whit Beckman | Ben Curtis | 20-1 (+2000) |
8 | Just a Touch | Brad Cox | Florent Geroux | 10-1 (+1000) |
9 | Encino | Brad Cox | Axel Concepción | 20-1 (+2000) |
10 | T O Password | Daisuke Takayanagi | Kazushi Kimura | 30-1 (+3000) |
11 | Forever Young | Yoshito Yahagi | Ryusei Sakai | 10-1 (+1000) |
12 | Track Phantom | Steve Asmussen | Joel Rosario | 20-1 (+2000) |
13 | West Saratoga | Larry Demeritte | Jesús Castañón | 50-1 (+5000) |
14 | Endlessly | Michael McCarthy | Umberto Rispoli | 30-1 (+3000) |
15 | Domestic Product | Chad Brown | Irad Ortiz Jr. | 30-1 (+3000) |
16 | Grand Mo the First | Victor Barboza Jr. | Emisael Jaramillo | 50-1 (+5000) |
17 | Fierceness | Todd Pletcher | John Velazquez | 5-2 (+250) |
18 | Stronghold | Phil D’Amato | Antonio Fresu | 20-1 (+2000) |
19 | Resilience | Bill Mott | Junior Alvarado | 20-1 (+2000) |
20 | Society Man | Danny Gargan | Frankie Dettori | 50-1 (+5000) |