What time is the 2023 Kentucky Derby?

The run for the roses is just days away, as the Kentucky Derby takes place on Saturday, May 6, 2023. Here’s everything you need to know.

The 149th running of the Kentucky Derby will take place this Saturday at Churchill Downs in Kentucky. It’s another crowded field of 2 and 3-year-old horses.

The field is determined by a point system which tracks the finishes of select prep races around the country. This year, the favorite, Forte, finished first in said point system. He is the 3-to-1 favorite. The fourth-favored horse, Practical Move, was an unfortunate scratch, which is major news for those who plan on betting on this race. BetSided’s Brian Giuffra has you covered from that perspective:

"“I’ll bet all five of these horses to win, with wager amount based on odds and confidence combined,” Giuffra wrote. “Ranking my confidence level in their ability to win combined with odds, I’ll rank them: Angel of Empire, Forte, Two Phil’s, Skinner, and Verifying.”"

What time is the 2023 Kentucky Derby?

Post time for the 2023 Kentucky Derby is expected to be 6:57 p.m. ET. While there will be races prior to the 149th run for the roses, the Derby is the main event. The entire day of races is worth watching if you’re into horse racing, with major prize money up for grabs.

The purse for the Kentucky Derby, as outlined below by ESPN, is tremendous:

"“The Derby has a $3 million purse which to be awarded to the connections of the top five horses. The winner will get $1.86 million. Second place earns $600,000, third $300,000, fourth $150,000 and fifth $90,000. Jockeys also receive a prize, with the winning rider earning $186K.”"

The horses usually have 20-30 minutes to gallop around the track, which will begin with the playing of ‘My Old Kentucky Home’.

Saturday ought to be a day to remember for horse racing fans. it’s the first — and arguably most important — leg of the triple crown.