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AP Photo/Jeff Roberson
The 2023 Kentucky Derby is being held today, May 6, with the actual race set to begin at 6:57 p.m. ET. If you're aiming to watch the Kentucky Derby live, we've got you covered with complete details on how to catch all the action online or on TV.
US viewers can watch Kentucky Derby coverage on NBC, NBCSports.com, and Peacock. The main event broadcast began at 3 p.m. ET and is expected to run through 7:30 p.m. ET. The Kentucky Derby is the first horse race of America's Triple Crown, which also includes the Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes.
This year's race will be the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. The Kentucky Derby is exclusively for three-year-old thoroughbreds, who will race 1.25 miles. The race features 20 horses competing for a prize purse of $3 million.
NBC and Peacock will also air the next two races in this season's Triple Crown: the Preakness Stakes on May 20, and the Belmont Stakes on June 10. The last two Triple Crown winners were Justify in 2018 and American Pharoah in 2015. A total of 13 horses have won the Triple Crown, and American Pharoah was the first horse in 37 years to win all three races.
How to watch the Kentucky Derby in the US
You can watch the Kentucky Derby on NBC, NBCSports.com, and Peacock Premium. Main event coverage started today at 3 p.m. ET, and the actual race is set to begin at 6:57 p.m. ET.
The NBC network is available for free if you have a digital TV antenna, and it's also included with most cable, satellite, and live TV streaming services, including Sling TV's Blue plan ($20 for your first month). If you already have a pay-TV provider with NBC, you can also watch the Kentucky Derby via NBCSports.com or the NBCSports app.
If you're a cord cutter, the cheapest way to live stream the Kentucky Derby is with a Peacock Premium subscription. Peacock Premium costs $5 a month or $50 per year. The service also offers tons of movies and shows from NBCUniversal, as well as other live sporting events throughout the year.
What if you're not in the US?
If you're outside the US and traveling in a region without easy streaming access to the Kentucky Derby, we recommend using a VPN service to watch the US broadcast. A VPN, or virtual private network, will let you stream the Kentucky Derby on Peacock or services like Sling TV no matter where you are, while also making your internet connection more secure.
Our pick for the best VPN service you can sign up for is ExpressVPN. New subscribers get a 30-day money-back guarantee if you're unsatisfied. For more VPN recommendations, check out our full guide to the best VPN services.
How to watch the Kentucky Derby with a VPN
- Sign up for a VPN if you don't already have one.
- Install it on the device you're using to watch the Kentucky Derby.
- Turn the VPN on and set it to any US location.
- Subscribe to Peacock or a live TV streaming service with NBC, like Sling TV.
- Open your streaming app to watch the Kentucky Derby.
- The Kentucky Derby race post time is set for 6:57 p.m. ET.
Kentucky Derby schedule
Event | Day and time | Channel |
Kentucky Derby broadcast | May 6, 3 p.m. ET | NBC, Peacock Premium, NBCSports.com |
Kentucky Derby main race | May 6, 6:57 p.m. ET | NBC, Peacock Premium, NBCSports.com. |
Horses running the Kentucky Derby
Number | Horse name | Odds to win |
1 | Hit Show | 30-1 |
2 | Verifying | 15-1 |
3 | Two Phil's | 12-1 |
4 | Confidence Game | 20-1 |
5 | Tapit Trice | 5-1 |
6 | Kingsbarns | 12-1 |
7 | Reincarnate | 50-1 |
8 | Mage | 15-1 |
9 | Skinner | Scratched |
10 | Practical Move | Scratched |
11 | Disarm | 30-1 |
12 | Jace's Road | 15-1 |
13 | Sun Thunder | 50-1 |
14 | Angel of Empire | 8-1 |
15 | Forte | Scratched |
16 | Raise Cain | 50-1 |
17 | Derma Sotogake | 10-1 |
18 | Rocket Can | 15-1 |
19 | Lord Miles | Scratched |
20 | Continuar | Scratched |
21 | Cyclone Mischief | 30-1 |
22 | Mandarin Hero | 20-1 |
23 | King Russell | 50-1 |
Note: The use of VPNs is illegal in certain countries and using VPNs to access region-locked streaming content might constitute a breach of the terms of use for certain services. Insider does not endorse or condone the illegal use of VPNs.