The 152nd Kentucky Derby will be run tomorrow at Churchill Downs, with 20 3-year-old thoroughbreds set to cover 1.25 miles in the “Run for the Roses.” The race carries a $5M purse, including $3.1M to the winner. Coverage begins at 2:30 pm ET (NBC and Peacock), with post time set for 6:57 pm ET.
As of this writing, Renegade is the favorite to win at 5-1 after a dominant Arkansas Derby, though he drew the No. 1 post, which has not produced a winner since 1986. Other contenders include Commandment (7-1), Chief Wallabee (9-1), The Puma (8-1), and Japan’s unbeaten Danon Bourbon (14-1). This year, 18 of the 20 entrants were born in central Kentucky, though some were trained elsewhere. See how horses qualify here and a race simulator here.
First run in 1875—with a roughly $3K purse—the Derby is the oldest continuously held US sporting event and the Triple Crown’s opening leg. Traditions include a hand-sewn 40-pound garland of 465 roses, as well as mint juleps, with over 125,000 served over two days.
