The Courier-Journal (Louisville)
A guide to the 150th Run for the Roses
It’s time to start thinking about which hat or suit you’re going to wear, which mint julep recipe to learn and how you’re going to make it to the 150th Kentucky Derby in 2024.
The “most exciting two minutes of sports” is almost here. Here’s everything you need to know about the historic Run for the Roses at Churchill Downs in 2024:
When is the Kentucky Derby?
The 150th Kentucky Derby will take place on Saturday, May 4.
Where is the Kentucky Derby held?
The Kentucky Derby takes place at Churchill Downs, located at 700 Central Ave., in Louisville, Kentucky.
What TV channel is the Kentucky Derby on?
Fanduel TV, Fox Sports, Racetrack Television Network, USA Network, Peacock and NBC will broadcast the events from Thurby on May 2 through the Kentucky Derby May 4.
Here’s a breakdown of what will be broadcast and from which network:
Thursday, May 2
America’s Day at the Races: FS2 Live coverage of horse racing Thurby: FanDuel TV
Friday, May 3
150th Kentucky Oaks: USA Network & Peacock
America’s Day at the Races: FS2 Live coverage of horse racing: FanDuel TV & Racetrack Television Network
Saturday, May 4
150th Kentucky Derby: NBC & Peacock; En Español: Universo America’s Day at the Races: FS2 Live coverage of horse racing: FanDuel TV & Racetrack Television Network
What time is the Kentucky Derby?
The official post time for the Kentucky Derby, presented by Woodford Reserve, is 6:57 p.m. on May 4.
When is Kentucky Oaks 2024?
Kentucky Oaks, the race involving 3year-old fillies, takes place on Friday, May 3.
How much are tickets to the Kentucky Derby 2024?
Many tickets are sold out for the 150th Run for the Roses. If there are some available, they could run at these prices:
● About $275 for the Standing Room Only and General Admission. These tickets include Oaks and Derby program and access to the infield, where you can bring your own chair or blanket.
● Reserved seating tickets start at about $650, and the new Paddock seating tickets begin at $693.
● A private suite will cost about $135,000 or more.
● Dining experiences start at about $1,375.
To find Derby tickets, you can visit kentuckyderby.com/tickets.
Where to stay in Louisville
There are plenty of hotels to choose from in Louisville, but prices are not cheap:
● Near the airport: For those looking to stay near the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport and the Kentucky Expo Center, prices range from about $150 per night to about $900 per night during the week of the Kentucky Derby.
● Near downtown: In downtown Louisville, many hotel rooms have already been booked. However, there are still some available for a heftier $550 per night to about $1,300 per night during that week.
Who won the Derby in 2023?
Mage — at 15-1 odds — finished the 1and-1/4-miles in 2:01.57 to win the 2023 Kentucky Derby.
Mage and jockey Javier Castellano rallied from the back of the pack, went six-wide off the final turn, and rallied past Two Phil’s down the stretch to win by a length.
What other events take place?
Derby Week racing begins on Saturday, April 27, and it will lead up to the
150th Kentucky Derby on Saturday, May 4.
Here’s a list of events that will take place before the Derby:
● Opening Night: April 27 — Preview Kentucky Derby trends with a fashion show and gain style tips from featured Kentucky Derby Milliners.
● Dawn at the Downs: April 28-29 — Spend the morning at Churchill Downs to watch Derby and Oaks contenders warm up on the track.
● 502’s Day: April 30 — 502’s Day celebrates the community, Louisville’s Kentucky Derby tradition makers, inspiration providers and die-hard Derby fans.
● Champions Day: May 1 — Engage in the rich history of the Kentucky Derby and the thrilling world of thoroughbred racing.
● Thurby: May 2 — Enjoy bourbon and horse racing as well as other parts of Kentucky’s culture.
● Kentucky Oaks: May 3 — Witness America’s premier race of 3-year-old fillies (female horses) the day before the Kentucky Derby.
● The Kentucky Derby: May 4 — Witness the 150th Run for the Roses.
How does betting work?
There are three main bet types to choose from: “win,” “place” and “show” wagers.
Here’s what each bet means:
● WIN – If your horse finishes first, you win.
● PLACE – If your horse finishes first or second, you win.
● SHOW – If your horse finishes first, second, or third, you win.
Payouts depend on several factors, including both the amount of money in the pool and often the perceived level of difficulty.
There’s also more precise betting with even higher payouts like “Exacta” — predicting who will win 1st and 2nd in the correct order, “Trifecta” — predicting who will win 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in the correct order, and “Superfecta” — predicting who will win the top four positions in the correct order.