This year's race will once again be shown on NBC, with coverage beginning on USA and Peacock before shifting to NBC and Peacock later in the day ...

Kentucky Derby 2025: How to watch, start time, odds, horses and weather

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Held annually on the first Saturday in May, the Kentucky Derby is the country’s oldest and most famous horse race. It’s also called the Run for the Roses, because of the blanket of red flowers bestowed in the winner’s circle, and “the most exciting two minutes in sports” because of its split-second finishes.

Each year, the Derby features 20 horses who qualify through a series of points races. Competitors can be of any sex, but must be 3 years old. The Derby has long been a cultural institution … the stars will be in attendance, the hats pastel, the mint juleps plentiful and the betting slips full.

Start time
Pre-race coverage commences at noon ET on USA Network and moves to NBC at 2:30 p.m. The network has broadcast the Kentucky Derby since 2001 and is contracted to continue until at least 2032.

The Derby itself is our headliner for a 14-race card that begins mid-morning. The lower-card races are televised, along with interviews, retrospectives, programming and pageantry. It all funnels into the big race, the 12th of the day, which is scheduled for a 6:57 p.m. ET post time. Decorated U.S. gymnast Simone Biles will be the one to call “riders up.”

How to watch the 151st Kentucky Derby
Venue: Churchill Downs — Louisville, Ky.
Coverage: 2:30 p.m. ET Saturday
TV: NBC, Peacock
Streaming: Fubo (try for free)
Watching in person? Get tickets on StubHub.
Who is the favorite for the 2025 Kentucky Derby?
Santa Anita Derby winner Journalism was installed as the morning line favorite last weekend. Journalism, jockeyed by Umberto Rispoli, comes from an impressive lineage. The bay colt’s sire is Curlin, a back-to-back Horse of the Year (2007-08) who retired as the highest money earner in North America. Journalism also notched first-place finishes at March’s Grade II San Felipe Stakes and November’s Los Alamitos Futurity.

Journalism is not the only horse with what it takes to win. Qualification points leader Burnham Square has earned respect from the oddsmakers, as has Sandman, a roan-gray colt named after the Metallica jam. He’s coming off last month’s Arkansas Derby win in Oaklawn Park, and he’s jockeyed by José Ortiz, who had Triple Crown victories in 2017 and 2022.

Then there’s Rodriguez. The brown colt, a tribute to guitarist Sixto Rodriguez, is trained by Bob Baffert, the sport’s most infamous titan. He had the third-best odds before being withdrawn from the race on Thursday. Baffert has been reinstated at Louisville after a two-year ban due to his horses failing drug tests. He also trains Citizen Bull, a less-likely winner who still scored consecutive Grade I wins last fall at the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile and American Pharoah Stakes.

When is the draw for the 2025 Kentucky Derby and post positions?
That draw was held last Saturday. Each of the 20 horses that made it to the Derby was given a starting spot and a gate. Those positions have a huge impact on race results and finishing chances. But two horses (Rodriguez and Grande) have been scratched so far, so only 19 horses will be racing this year, as there was only one alternate, Baeza.

What are the odds, and how can I bet on the race?
The field’s full odds can be found on our site right here, but the top-four favorites (with Rodriguez and Grande out) are as follows:

7. Journalism (3-1)

Jockey: Umberto Rispoli
16. Sovereignty (9-2)

Jockey: Junior Alvarado
15. Sandman (5-1)

Jockey: Jose Ortiz
8. Burnham Square (8-1)

Jockey: Brian Hernandez, Jr.
How long is the Kentucky Derby?
The race is 1 1/4 miles long. The record for fastest race time was set in 1973 by the famed Secretariat. A female horse hasn’t won the Derby since 1988 (Winning Colors).

Who won the Kentucky Derby in 2024?
Mystik Dan, a bay colt who last year’s race in a gut-churning and heart-pounding photo finish.

Where can I read all your excellent and insightful coverage of the Kentucky Derby?
You’re exceedingly kind, and you’re in the right place. Here’s our latest work from Louisville: