The Kentucky Derby is one of the most prestigious yearly events in all of horse racing. The grand race features the best three-year-old thoroughbreds in the world as they take to the track at Churchill Downs to decide the first leg of the distinguished triple crown series of races.
The Run for the Roses brings forth some seriously unique fashion, some of the wildest hats you’ve ever seen, elite horse trainers, celebrities, and bettors. It is a true American happening each spring. Here is everything you need to know about the 2023 Kentucky Derby that happened on May 6, 2023.
Related: Preakness Stakes – Everything you need to know about the second leg of the Triple Crown
When is the Kentucky Derby?
The annual racing tradition takes place on the first Saturday in May, at Churchill Downs Racecourse in Louisville, Kentucky. In 2023, the race was on May 6. The very first Kentucky Derby took place all the way back in 1875. Over 10,000 spectators and race enthusiasts watched Aristides win the inaugural version of what would eventually be known as the Kentucky Derby.
What time is the Kentucky Derby 2023 main race?
The 149th Derby event started at 10:30 AM ET with the first race of the day. The complete slate of duels featured 14 different races that lasted all the way to 8:30 PM ET. However, “the most exciting two minutes in sports” and the business everyone tuned in for took place at 6:57 PM ET.
What channel can I watch the Kentucky Derby 2023 on?
The earliest coverage for the 2023 Derby began just before the fourth race at 12 PM ET on NBC Sports and on the network’s streaming service Peacock. But the core coverage of the biggest and best races started before the eighth event of the day at 2:30 PM ET on NBC.
How can you bet on the winner of the Derby?
The 2023 Derby featured just 18 horses and included awesomely named creatures like Angel Empire, Mage, Two Phil’s, Continuar, and more. You can place bets on any of the horses involved in the race each year here.
Who was favored to win Kentucky Derby?
Two-time Kentucky Derby-winning trainer Todd Pletcher had a few potential horses in the 2023 event. Blue Grass Stakes winner Tapit Trice was the most notable of those and was seen as a popular choice among those wagering on the race.
Were any horses scratched from the Kentucky Derby 2023?
The Thursday before the race was a big day for competitor scratches as three horses were removed from the event. Wood Memorial winner Lord Miles, Santa Anita Derby winner Practical Move and Japanese import Continuar were all scratched from the race. The next day, Skinner was the fourth horse dropped from the Derby.
Then on the day of the event favorite Forte shockingly dropped out. Meaning just 18 horses competed in the 2023 Derby, giving many major underdogs like Mage a chance to score an upset.
How much does it cost to go to the Kentucky Derby 2023?
You can purchase tickets to the first installment of the 2023 triple crown trilogy of races directly from the Kentucky Derby’s official site here. General admission tickets were $85. If you wanted a true experience and have deep pockets to do so, tickets for all-inclusive box seating cost upwards of $1000, while seats that include a dining and hospitality experience were over $9000.
2023 Kentucky Derby winner
Despite horses like Tapit Trice, Forte, and Angel Empire getting much of the credit heading into the race, it was Gustavo Delgado-trained horse Mage that won the 2023 Kentucky Derby. The thoroughbred laid in wait for much of the race and made an incredible push down the home stretch to overcome Two Phil’s to get the historic victory.
Mage had won just one of its three previous races heading into the event at Churchhill Downs.