Happy Kentucky Derby Week! A Guide to Events and the Race

Happy Derby to all those who celebrate. We’re only five days away from the 150th Running of the Kentucky Derby.

Even if you’re not planning on making the trek to Churchill Downs for this historic race, the largest city in the state of Kentucky is putting all of its energy into creating one hell of a week. Let’s dive into what’s on the slate and take a snapshot of the race that now has its 20-horse starting gate set.

The Best Derby Week Events

If you need to catch the Derby spirit, there’s no better way than by attending Dawn at the Dawns. From 7-10 am through Thursday, fans can feel the excitement around Churchill Downs by watching horses train on the track. Admission is free and from 7:30-7:45 am, the track is reserved exclusively for Oaks and Derby horses. It’s the best way to fall in love with a Derby horse.

Secondly, the Chow Wagon (which is formally known as Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront) is a Kentucky Derby tradition. Located at Waterfront Park, admission is free with a Pegasus Pin. In addition to the midway, food trucks and county fair-like vendors, there’s a nightly drone show at 9:30 pm and free concerts. Oh, and if you come by Wednesday for the Great Steamboat Race (which is actually quite enjoyable for families), there’s a circus at 6 pm. See the full schedule to plan out your visit.

Churchill Downs Schedule

Tuesday is 502sDay at Churchill Downs: The day dedicated to locals, general admission is only $5 for a full racecard.

Wednesday, Champions Day: Two stakes races are on tap as Churchill Downs is celebrating champions in two ways. You can get your photo taken with the Wanamaker Trophy, which will be up for grabs at the Valhalla in two weeks. Churchill Downs will also announce the inductees for this year’s Kentucky Sports Hall of Fame Class.

Thurby: First post is still at 12:45 pm, but the racecard grows to 12 on Thurby. If you’re looking for a day to ball out, this is the one. You’ll find smaller crowds and lower prices for all-inclusive packages, with all-you-can-eat-and-drink tickets available for as low as $150 on the First Turn.

Oaks: The races begin at 10:30 am and don’t end until after 7 pm with the main attraction at 5:51 pm EST on USA Network and Peacock.

Kentucky Derby: The gates open at 9 am and the racing action doesn’t end until the 14th race at 8:35 pm EST. The 150th running of the Kentucky Derby will air 90 minutes prior on NBC. General admission tickets are still available for $130.

Kentucky Derby Handicapping Advice on KSR

I love picking ponies more than most, but I’m no expert. That’s why we’ve recruited some of the brightest minds in the business to share their knowledge with the KSR audience.

Tonight at 8 pm EST Pete Fornatale from In the Money Media will join me for KSR’s 2024 Kentucky Derby Betting Guide. We’ll be LIVE on the KSR YouTube Channel to break down who has the best shot to win, share our favorite live long shots, and tell you which favorite to toss out of your exotics. Join us and we’ll be answering your questions in the chat.

In addition to our Q&A with Mr. Fornatale, KSR will be speaking to folks around the expansive property to share insight on the race from multiple angles. Subscribe to the KSR YouTube Channel to make sure you don’t miss any of the action.

Kentucky Derby Post Positions

Ahead of the historic 150th running of the Kentucky Derby, this year Churchill Downs officials moved up the post position draw two days, giving us another event for Opening Night.

Each year I tell myself not to read too much into the post-position draw. Where the horses start the race does not determine where they will finish. Then we got thrown for a wrinkle Saturday night.

No horse has ever won the Kentucky Derby from gate No. 17 and that’s where the morning line favorite Fierceness (5-2) will start. Only two other horses have single-digit odds, Sierra Leone (3-1) and Catching Freedom (8-1). They’re both horses that close hard, but they’re starting inside the heavily trafficked area inside gate No. 5. In the last ten years, a horse has not won the Kentucky Derby from gates 1-4.

The post-position draw made this a wide-open race.

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