The Kentucky Derby is the oldest running major sport event in North America. It has been held every year without fail at the historic racetrack of Churchill Downs since the year 1875. Since its inaugural race, the Derby has attracted audiences from all around the world. Celebrities and dignitaries travel across oceans to witness the grandeur of this Grade I stakes race.

The Kentucky Derby is a race for three-year-old Thoroughbreds, who compete over a distance of one and a quarter miles. It is the first leg of the Triple Crown races and is followed by the Preakness Stakes which is then followed by the Belmont Stakes. While the Derby was inaugurated later than both Preakness and Belmont, it is the only Triple Crown Race that reserves the honor of running uninterrupted since 1875.

Here’s everything you need to know about Kentucky Derby 2023.

Date and Location

The Kentucky Derby is held every year in Louisville, Kentucky and the venue of the horse race has always been Churchill Downs since the beginning. Typically, a crowd of around 155,000 people is attracted by the Derby. The race is always held on the first Saturday in May, which falls on May 6 this year. As for the timings, the gates to this year’s race will open at 9:00 am and other races will start around 10:30 am. Expectedly, the Kentucky Derby post time is 6:57 pm EST and the main race will start shortly after.

Key Contenders

The top pick of the 2023 race invariably seems to be Forte, who will be trotted out by Todd Pletcher. Forte’s odds are predicted to be 5-2, and the horse might get Pletcher his third career win as a trainer at the Kentucky Derby. The 149th Run for Roses will also see the local trainer, Brad Cox, making an attempt to capture his third career win in a Triple Crown race with his three qualifiers. All of Cox’s qualifying horses are considered to be longshots, Angel of Empire at 29-1, Hit Show at 30-1, and Verifying at 50-1. Another promising entry to this year’s race is Two Phil’s, trained by Larry Rivelli. While Two Phil’s is considered a longshot at 21-1, his impressive pedigree and vast experience might make him a good target for anybody looking for a big payday. Some other horses to watch out for are Two Eagles River (38-1), Tapit Trice (11-1), Sun Thunder (99-1), and Rocket Can (32-1).

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Safety Measures

The Kentucky Derby has always considered the health and safety of all attendees, as well as the equine athletes, to be of paramount importance. Churchill Downs has a dedicated security staff of its own. In addition to this, they also partner with local, state, and federal law enforcement to ensure the entire race goes without any hiccups. The Churchill Downs racetrack has a “Safety from Start to Finish” program which covers all facets of security. The racetrack has partnered with Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (KHRC) to lay down protocols protecting the horses. These protocols include a team of veterinarians to be kept ready in case of injuries as well as an Equine Ambulance in case the horses need to be transported elsewhere for treatment.

How to watch Kentucky Derby?

NBC Sports is the official broadcasting partner for the 2023 Derby. Fans will be able to watch the entire 149th Run for the Roses on NBC from 12 to 7:30 p.m. ET. Comprehensive coverage of the race will also be available on NBCSports.com, the NBC Sports mobile application, and Peacock. Not only this, but NBC in partnership with the organizers has launched an interactive tour that will showcase the activities and pageantry that will be held at the race.

Derby Tickets

Registration for the pre-sale of Kentucky Derby tickets closed in November. However, if you still wish to know where to buy from, tickets are available on the official Kentucky Derby website. All Derby tickets are in electronic form and are non-refundable and non-transferable. The Kentucky Derby Ticket Exchange is the only officially authorized place to buy and resell tickets to the event.

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Future of Kentucky Derby

With the changing political climate and some unfortunate occurrences on the Derby track, there have been multiple calls from animal welfare organizations to make the race safer for the horses. This is not to say that the organizers have not taken note of the same, and their safety regulations are proof of that.  The standard of protection might have improved, but many factions believe it still has a long way to go for the sport to sustain the test of time.

While this is one aspect that needs improvement, on the other hand, the impact of technology on the sport has had a positive impact on the community. Churchill Downs Incorporated has been responsible for creating many high-tech jobs in Kentucky after the launch of TwinSpires, its wagering technology.

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