Two minutes. That is all you get. After months of prep, millions of dollars in betting handle, and enough mint juleps to fill an Olympic swimming pool, the "Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports" lives up to its name by being incredibly brief. If you're looking for the Kentucky Derby time start, you probably just want a number on a clock. But honestly, if you show up at exactly that time, you’ve already missed the point of the First Saturday in May.
The post time for the Kentucky Derby is traditionally set for approximately 6:57 PM ET.
That's the official word from Churchill Downs. It's been that way for years. But there is a massive difference between when the gates fly open and when the "event" actually begins. Most people don't realize that the Derby is just one race in a marathon 14-race card that starts before most of us have even finished our first coffee. If you're sitting on your couch waiting for the main event, you're looking at a narrow window. If you're at the track? You're in for a twelve-hour day.
The Reality of the Kentucky Derby Time Start
Let’s be real: television networks love to drag this out. NBC usually starts its broadcast early in the afternoon, often around 12:00 PM or 2:30 PM ET depending on the secondary coverage. They fill the air with segments about big hats, celebrity red carpets, and tear-jerker stories about various trainers. It’s a spectacle. But the horses for the main event—the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby—won’t even think about touching the dirt until the sun starts to dip low over the twin spires.
Why 6:57 PM?
Television slots. Pure and simple. It’s the sweet spot for prime-time viewership on the East Coast while still being early enough for the West Coast to catch it before dinner.
You’ve got to account for the "walkover." This is one of the coolest traditions in sports that nobody talks about enough. About 20 to 30 minutes before the Kentucky Derby time start, the horses, trainers, and owners walk from the backside of the track, through the turn, and into the paddock. It’s a sea of people and horseflesh. It’s chaotic. It’s beautiful. If you’re watching at home, this is usually when the "My Old Kentucky Home" sing-along happens. If you aren't ready by 6:30 PM, you're going to miss the emotional peak of the day.
The Undercard: What Happens Before the Big One
The first race of the day usually goes off around 10:30 AM ET. Yeah, you read that right.
While the world waits for the Derby, there are thirteen other races happening. Some of them, like the Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic, are massive races in their own right with million-dollar purses. Serious bettors are grinding away at the windows long before the casual fans tune in for the 6:57 PM kickoff.
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The gap between races is usually about 35 to 45 minutes. That time is filled with betting, drinking, and people-watching. If you’re trying to plan a party around the Kentucky Derby time start, don't just tell people to show up at 6:45. They’ll miss the buildup. You want the mint juleps poured by 6:15 PM at the latest.
Betting Windows and the "Last Minute" Trap
Here is a pro tip: do not wait until 6:50 PM to place your bet. Whether you are using an app like TwinSpires or standing in a physical line at Churchill Downs, the system gets bogged down.
Every year, people lose out on winning tickets because they waited too long and the "Post Time" arrived before their bet processed. Once the horses are loading into the gate—which usually starts around 6:52 PM—the windows close. If the gates open, you're out of luck.
The 6:57 PM start time is also "fluid." Not by much, mind you. But if a horse is acting up behind the gate or a jockey needs a piece of equipment fixed, that start time can slide to 7:02 or 7:05 PM. In 2024, the timing was almost surgical, but in years with muddy tracks or difficult loaders, expect a few minutes of delay. It adds to the tension. The crowd is screaming, the horses are lathered in sweat, and the air feels heavy.
Weather: The Variable Nobody Can Control
Kentucky weather in May is, frankly, a mess. I’ve seen Derbys where it’s 85 degrees and sunny, and I’ve seen ones where it’s 45 degrees and a monsoon.
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Does the weather change the Kentucky Derby time start? Almost never.
The only thing that stops the clock is lightning. If there’s a thunderstorm right over Louisville, they will delay the post time for safety. But rain? They run in the mud. In fact, some of the most legendary Derbys, like Justify’s win in 2018, happened on a "sloppy" track. If the radar looks bad, don't assume the race is cancelled. It’s still going off near 6:57 PM, the horses will just look like chocolate statues by the time they hit the finish line.
Viewing Options: Where to Watch the 6:57 PM Break
If you aren't one of the 150,000 people crammed into the infield or the grandstands, you're probably watching on NBC. They’ve held the rights for years and their production is top-tier.
- Peacock: Usually streams the full coverage, which is great for cord-cutters.
- NBC Sports App: Good for mobile, but usually requires a cable login.
- YouTube TV/Hulu Live: Standard options that work perfectly.
Just a heads up: streaming usually has a delay. If you’re following along on social media or a betting app, you might see the result 30 seconds before the horses even cross the finish line on your TV. If you want the "live" experience, an old-school antenna or cable box is still the fastest way to get the signal.
Why the 152nd (and beyond) Matters
As we look toward the 2026 Derby, the stakes feel higher. The Kentucky Derby is the first leg of the Triple Crown. If the winner of the 6:57 PM race doesn't look dominant, the buzz for the Preakness and the Belmont Stakes dies down instantly.
We saw this with Mage and Mystik Dan in recent years. The parity in horse racing right now is wild. We don't have many "superhorses" like Secretariat anymore. Instead, we have deep fields where the 20-1 longshot has a genuine chance. That makes the actual start time even more nerve-wracking because the favorite often gets buried in the 20-horse stampede.
Final Logistics for the Derby Fan
If you're hosting or attending, here is your checklist for the Kentucky Derby time start day:
1. The "Call to the Post": This happens about 5 to 10 minutes before the start. The bugler comes out in his red coat. That is your signal to stop talking and get to the TV.
2. The National Anthem & My Old Kentucky Home: These are the emotional anchors. If you’re a traditionalist, this is where the goosebumps happen.
3. The Loading: This is the most dangerous part. 20 three-year-old colts being shoved into a metal box. It takes about 4 to 5 minutes to get them all in.
4. The Race: It’s roughly 120 seconds. It’s over before you can finish a sandwich.
5. The Inquiry: Don't turn off the TV the second they cross the line. Remember 2019? Maximum Security crossed first but was disqualified 20 minutes later. The "official" start time is just the beginning of the drama.
To stay ahead of the game, check the official Churchill Downs schedule on the morning of the race. While 6:57 PM is the gold standard, minor adjustments to the TV schedule can sometimes nudge it by a minute or two.
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Don't be the person who walks into the room at 7:00 PM asking if the race started. You’ll be looking at a screen full of slow-motion replays and a very happy (or very broke) group of friends. Set your watch for 6:30 PM, get your beverage ready, and enjoy the madness. It only happens once a year.
Actionable Next Steps for Derby Day
To ensure you don't miss a second of the action, take these specific steps on race day:
- Sync Your Devices: Ensure your betting apps are logged in and funded by 12:00 PM ET to avoid server crashes.
- Tune In Early: Switch to NBC or Peacock by 6:00 PM ET to catch the "walkover" and the singing of "My Old Kentucky Home."
- Watch the Paddock: Pay attention to the horses' behavior 15 minutes before the start; a horse that is "washing out" (sweating profusely) often wastes too much energy before the gates open.
- Confirm Post Time: Double-check the official Churchill Downs digital program at noon for any last-minute weather-related shifts to the race order.