The Kentucky Derby is an annual horse race that takes place at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, United States. It is the first leg of the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing, which also includes the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes.
The Kentucky Derby is a 1 1/4 mile (2 km) race for three-year-old Thoroughbred horses. It is often called the “most exciting two minutes in sports” because the race typically lasts around two minutes.

The Kentucky Derby has been run annually since 1875, making it one of the oldest continuously held sporting events in the United States. It has become a major cultural event, with traditions such as the singing of “My Old Kentucky Home” and the wearing of elaborate hats by spectators.
The race is known for its high stakes, with large amounts of money wagered on the outcome each year. The winning horse is awarded the coveted garland of roses and a significant purse, while the jockey, trainer, and owner also receive prizes.
The Kentucky Derby is typically held on the first Saturday in May, although it was postponed until September in 2020 due to the pandemic.
kentucky derby horses 2023 post positions and odds
The Kentucky Derby is a famous horse race held annually on the first Saturday in May at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. It is the first race of the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing in the United States, followed by the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes.
The horses that participate in the Kentucky Derby are typically three-year-old Thoroughbreds that have qualified for the race through a series of pre-race events and point-earning races. The list of horses that will compete in the Kentucky Derby typically becomes available a few weeks before the race, so you would need to check closer to the date of the race for specific information.
Some notable winners of the Kentucky Derby include Secretariat (1973), Seattle Slew (1977), and American Pharoah (2015), all of whom went on to win the Triple Crown.
HORSE | ODDS | PROGRAM # |
---|---|---|
Forte | 3-1 | 15 |
Tapit Trice | 5-1 | 5 |
Angel of Empire | 8-1 | 14 |
Derma Sotogake | 10-1 | 20 |
Practical Move | SCR | SCR |
Kingsbarn | 12-1 | 6 |
Two Phil’s | 12-1 | 3 |
Mage | 15-1 | 8 |
Verifying | 15-1 | 2 |
Confidence Game | 20-1 | 4 |
Skinner | 20-1 | 9 |
Cyclone Mischief | 30-1 | 21 |
Disarm | 30-1 | 11 |
Hit Show | 30-1 | 1 |
Mandarin Hero | 20-1 | 22 |
Rocket Can | 30-1 | 18 |
King Russell | 50-1 | 23 |
Jace’s Road | 50-1 | 12 |
Raise Cain | 50-1 | 16 |
Sun Thunder | 50-1 | 13 |
Reincarnate | 50-1 | 7 |