In 2018, Justify won the Derby and went on to become horse racing’s 13th Triple Crown winner — and second one in four years after a 37-year drought.
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Founded by Meriwether Lewis Clark Jr. in 1875, the “Run for the Roses” is the oldest continuously contested sporting event in American history and is the only horse race to be held at its original site since its conception. Eligible horses compete in a series of 35 races known as the Race to the Kentucky Derby with the top four in each race receiving points toward qualification. The top 20 point earners earn invitations to race in the Derby.
This year the total purse for payouts jumped to $3 million, a $1 million spike from last year thanks to increased wagering at a nearby gambling facility. In addition to the large cash prize, a 400-flower garland of roses is also awarded to the winning horse, one of many traditions at the iconic horse race known for extravagant hats to copious mint juleps.
What time is the Kentucky Derby 2019?
Date: Saturday, May 4 Post time: 6:50 p. m. ET TV channels: NBC, NBCSN Stream: NBC Sports Live | fuboTV
This year’s Kentucky Derby is Saturday, May 4 with post time at 6:50 p.m. ET. The race is always held on the first Saturday of May. The Derby is run on the dirt track at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, the same place it’s been held since its inaugural race in 1875.
MORE: Watch the Kentucky Derby live with fuboTV (7-day free trial)
How to watch, live stream the Kentucky Derby
The 145th Run for the Roses can be watched on NBC’s live television broadcast, streamed on NBCsports.com or is available on the NBC Sports app. The race can also be streamed on fuboTV, which offers a 7-day free trial.
Pre-race coverage
While post time for the Kentucky Derby isn’t until 6:50 p.m., live coverage of the race on NBC begins at 2:30 p.m. ET. Live coverage of the undercard begins at noon on NBC Sports Network.
MORE: Fast facts before you pick a horse in the 2019 Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby 2019 betting odds
(Morning line odds as of May 4, per KentuckyDerby.com)
MORE: A quick guide to betting on horse racing
2018 Kentucky Derby winner
Justify won the 2018 Kentucky Derby after being tabbed the race favorite with 7-2 betting odds. Justify became the first horse since Apollo in 1882 to win the Derby despite not winning a race as a two-year-old. He went on to win the the Preakness and Belmont Stakes, becoming the 13th horse in history to win the Triple Crown. Justify was trained by Bob Baffert, whose horses have won five Kentucky Derbies, seven Preakness Stakes and three Belmont Stakes.
