What Time Does The Kentucky Derby Start and End?

“The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports” is nearly here! Find out how to watch every second of the 151st Kentucky Derby on Saturday.

Matt Burke - Contributor at Covers.com
Matt Burke • Contributor
Apr 28, 2025 • 16:11 ET • 4 min read
The crowd lined a fence on the backside to watch the horses work out Monday morning April 28, 2025 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky.
Photo By - Imagn Images. The crowd lined a fence on the backside to watch the horses work out Monday morning April 28, 2025 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky.

One of the top sporting events of the spring is about to go down. The 151st Kentucky Derby will take place in Louisville, Kentucky on Saturday, May 3.

Below is information on the frequently asked questions of what time does the Kentucky Derby start and what time does the Kentucky Derby end? We will also look at how you can bet on this year’s “Run for the Roses.”

Bet on this year’s Kentucky Derby

Here are the odds for this year’s Kentucky Derby. The morning line betting favorites are Journalism (3-1) and Sovereignty (5-1).

Post Horse FanDuel * bet365 **
8 Journalism +300 3-1 +275
18 Sovereignty +500 5-1 +600
17 Sandman +600 6-1 +1100
4 Rodriguez +1200 12-1 +1400
9 Burnham Square +1200 12-1 +1200
7 Luxor Cafe +1500 15-1 +900
1 Citizen Bull +2000 20-1 +2000
10 Grande +2000 20-1 +2000
12 East Avenue +2000 20-1 +2000
13 Publisher +2000 20-1 +3300
14 Tiztastic +2000 20-1 +2000
2 Neoequos +3000 30-1 +6600
3 Final Gambit +3000 30-1 +1600
5 American Promise +3000 30-1 +2500
6 Admire Daytona +3000 30-1 +4000
11 Flying Mohawk +3000 30-1 +5000
15 Render Judgement +3000 30-1 +10000
16 Coal Battle +3000 30-1 +2500
19 Chunk of Gold +3000 30-1 +4000
20 Owen Almighty +3000 30-1 +5000
AE 21 Baeza +3000 30-1 +1400

*FanDuel Racing odds available in AZ, CO, IL, IN, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, NY, OH, PA, VA, WV, WY

**bet365 Kentucky Derby odds are not available in the United States

What time does the Kentucky Derby start?

It is a long day of horse racing at Churchill Downs on the first Saturday of each May. One of the most frequently asked questions is what time does the Kentucky Derby start?

As has become tradition, the Kentucky Derby is scheduled to start at 6:57 p.m. ET this Saturday at Churchill Downs. 

There is plenty of pre-race hoopla, including the singing of “My Old Kentucky Home” and pre-race promenade. This can often push the actual start time of the race back a few minutes.

Kentucky Derby bettors and casual viewers will surely want to have a seat in front of the TV by no later than 6:45 p.m. ET.

What time does the Kentucky Derby end?

The Kentucky Derby is not called “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports” for nothing. Kentucky Derby winners typically check in at just over 2 minutes. Last year’s winner, Mystic Dan, finished with a time of 2 minutes and 3 seconds.

So, expect the Kentucky Derby to end around 6:59 p.m. ET this Saturday.

How do I bet on the Kentucky Derby?

Betting on this year’s Kentucky Derby has never been easier. 

If you are in the United States, simply go to FanDuel Racing. Once on the site, Kentucky Derby betting options will be prominently displayed. 

If you are in Canada, your best option to bet on the Derby is with bet365

Best Kentucky Derby betting sites

USA Where to bet on the Derby in the USA

Horse racing odds vary between FanDuel Racing, FanDuel Sportsbook, or both on a state-by-state basis. 
See the list of states where FanDuel Racing is available.

FanDuel New Users
Bet $5, Get $250 in bonus bets! Claim Now
Available in CO, IL, IN, LA, MA, MD, MI, NY, OH, PA, VA, WV, WY.
FanDuel New Users
Get a $500 No-Sweat First Bet! Claim Now
Available in AZ, AR, CA, CO, DE, FL, IL, IN, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MN, ND, NH, NY, NM, OH, OR, PA, RI, SD, WA, VA, WV, WY.


Canada Bet on the Kentucky Derby in Canada

bet365New Users
Bet $5, get $150 in bonus bets! Claim Now
*Not available in Ontario.


21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER

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Matt Burke - Covers
Contributor

Matt Burke has been a sports and sports betting journalist for over 20 years. He was the school newspaper beat writer for UConn basketball (men’s and women’s) during his college days and then began his professional career in sports media. He has covered everything from high school football to Super Bowls and Final Fours.

He was born and raised in Massachusetts but also spent a few years in sunny San Diego, California, accomplishing every eight-year-old boy’s dream - writing the bios on the back of baseball cards.

Matt began writing and editing sports betting content in 2018, founding MetroBet - a sports betting content platform under the Metro Newspapers umbrella (now AMNY).

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