Plot Synopsis

Every year since 1875, Churchill Downs has hosted the KENTUCKY DERBY, often billed as "The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports," which is the first jewel in horse racing's Triple Crown. At the first event, an estimated 10,000 people watched on May 17, 1875. Until 1895, the KENTUCKY DERBY was a 1.5-mile race, when it was shortened that year to 1.25 miles, because the distance was "too long for three-year-old so early in the spring." The Derby had its first live radio broadcast in 1925 and was first televised nationwide by CBS in 1952.

THE KENTUCKY DERBY is traditionally the first leg of the American Triple Crown of horse racing, typically run on the first Saturday in May. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 Kentucky Derby was postponed from Saturday, May 2 to Saturday, September 5, and this year the race is the middle leg of the Triple Crown, which concludes with the 145th Preakness Stakes on Saturday, October 3. THE KENTUCKY DERBY returned to its typical weekend in May 2021.
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On Saturday, May 4, 2024, NBC presents the 150th Kentucky Derby, with coverage of seven races starting at 2:30pm ET/11:30am PT, live from Churchill Downs, featuring Mike Tirico, who is anchoring Derby coverage for the eighth time; analysts Jerry Bailey, the Hall of Fame jockey and two-time Kentucky Derby winner, and Randy Moss, who is covering the Derby for the 44th time; handicappers Eddie Olczyk and Matt Bernier; host Ahmed Fareed; reporters Britney Eurton, Donna Brothers, Kenny Rice, and Nick Luck; and race caller Larry Collmus. Rebecca Lowe also returns to NBC Sports' coverage and will examine the history and pageantry surrounding the "Run for the Roses."

Steve Kornacki, NBC News' celebrated national political correspondent, returns to NBC Sports' Kentucky Derby coverage as an insights analyst for the fourth year. NBC News' Dylan Dreyer, who has previously been part of NBC Sports' Kentucky Derby and Royal Ascot horse racing coverage, and E! News correspondent Zanna Roberts Rassi, who is returning to Derby coverage, will serve as fashion and lifestyle correspondents. NBC Sports' Tim Layden will write and narrate an essay on his perspective of the 150th "Run for the Roses."

Post time for the Derby is 6:57pm ET/3:57pm PT, featuring a field of 20 horses after Encino was scratched on Tuesday. Sierra Leone (3-1 odds) and Fierceness (5-2) are the early favorites. Today's $5 million purse is the largest in history.

Wynonna Judd sings the national anthem. Past artists who performed the national anthem are Carly Pearce (2023), Brittney Spencer (2022), Tori Kelly (2021), Churchill Downs' longtime bugler Steve Buttleman (2020), Jennifer Nettles (2019), Pentatonix (2018), Harry Connick Jr. (2017), Lady Antebellum (2016), Josh Groban (2015), Jo Dee Messina (2014), Martina McBride (2013), Mary J. Blige (2012), Jordin Sparks (2011), Rascal Flatts (2010) and LeeAnn Rimes (2009).

Martha Stewart has been granted the special honor of commanding the Kentucky Derby jockeys to mount their horses as the announcer for this year's Riders' Up.