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2025 Kentucky Derby Watch Guide: Date, Time, Favorites & More

2025 Kentucky Derby Watch Guide: Date, Time, Favorites & More

Grab your fabulously floppy hat, some binoculars and a mint julep, because we’re off to the races! That’s right, Derby Day is just around the corner, and fans are eagerly awaiting the race to find out who the best in the business is this year. For those who won’t be attending the event live, we’ve got all the watch information you need right here to make your 2025 Kentucky Derby watch party a winner.

What Date Is the Kentucky Derby 2025?

The 2025 Kentucky Derby will take place on Saturday, May 3, 2025 at Churchill Downs. Prior to the Kentucky Derby is the Kentucky Oaks, which will take place the day before the Derby on May 2, 2025.

How Can I Watch the Kentucky Derby on TV?

Fans will be able to watch the first leg of the Triple Crown on NBC, USA Network and Peacock. For DIRECTV customers, you can find USA Network on channel 242.

To find out what channel number your affiliate NBC station is on, check out this post.

And for those viewers that want even more Kentucky Derby coverage, FanDuel TV has you covered. As laid out in the schedule below, there will be two blocks of coverage on FanDuel TV on Thursday and Friday before the event. DIRECTV customers can access FanDuel TV on channel 602.

2025 Kentucky Derby TV Schedule

Check out the full Kentucky Derby TV schedule below to make sure you record the event to your DVR or know when to tune in live, so you don’t miss a second of the action.

Thursday, May 1

  • 2025 Thursday – Broadcast times TBA on FanDuel TV

Friday, May 2

  • 151st Kentucky Oaks – 1 p.m. – 6 p.m. ET on USA (Ch. 242) & Peacock

Saturday, May 3

  • 151st Kentucky Derby – 12 p.m. ET – 2:20 p.m. ET on USA & Peacock
  • 151st Kentucky Derby – 2:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC & Peacock

What Is the Difference Between the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks?

For those wondering what the difference between the Kentucky Oaks and the more well-known Kentucky Derby is, you’re not the only one. Apart from the slightly different track lengths (1 1/8 miles for Oaks and 1 1/4 miles for the Derby), the main difference between the two are the horses that can compete.

The Kentucky Oaks is restricted to only 3-year-old female horses, or fillies, while the Derby is non-gender specific, but is typically run by male horses, known as colts and geldings.

Another discrepancy between the two races is the size of the purse: about $3 million for the Derby and just $1.25 million for the Oaks.

Who’s Racing in the 2025 Kentucky Derby?

In order to qualify for Derby Day, horses and their jockeys must have earned enough points in designated Road to the Derby races in the prior year. Here is a list of where the top contenders sit right now. Only the top 20 horses will make it to the starting gate come May 3.

The full official field will be unveiled about a week before the event.

Rank Horse Points
1 Burnham Square 130
2 Sandman 129
3 Journalism 122.5
4 Rodriguez 121.25
5 Tiztastic 119
6 Tappan Street 110
7 Sovereignty 110
8 Final Gambit 100
9 Coal Battle 95
10 Chunk of Gold 75
11 Citizen Bull 71.25
12 Owen Almighty 65
13 East Avenue 60
14 Publisher 60
15 American Promise 55
16 Flying Mohawk 50
17 Grande 50
18 Built 45
19 Neoequs 40
20 Render Judgement 39

Kentucky Derby 2025 Predictions & Favorites

Based on the list above, there are a few horses that are looking like the heavy favorites, including Burnham Square, Sandman and Journalism.

Rank Horse Jockey Trainer Odds
1 Burnham Square Brian Hernandez Jr. Ian Wilkes 8-1
2 Sandman Jose Ortiz Mark Casse 5-1
3 Journalism Umberto Rispoli Mike McCarthy 3-1
4 Rodriguez Mike Smith Bob Baffert 6-1
5 Tiztastic Joel Rosario Steve Asmussen 15-1
6 Tappan Street Luis Saez Brad Cox 10-1
7 Sovereignty Junior Alvarado Bill Mott 9-2
8 Final Gambit Luan Machado Brad Cox 30-1
9 Coal Battle Juan Vargas Lonnie Briley 20-1
10 Chunk of Gold Jareth Loveberry Ethan West 20-1
11 Citizen Bull Martin Garcia Bob Baffert 20-1
12 Owen Almighty Javier Castellano Brian Lynch 50-1
13 East Avenue Manny Franco Brendan Walsh 15-1
14 Publisher Irad Ortiz Jr. Steve Asmussen 20-1
15 American Promise Nik Juarez D. Wayne Lukas 30-1
16 Flying Mohawk Joseph Ramos Whit Beckman 50-1
17 Grande John Velazquez Todd Pletcher 50-1
18 Built Flavien Prat Wayne Catalano 50-1
19 Luxor Cafe Joao Moreira Noriyuki Hori 10-1
20 Admire Daytona (JPN) Christophe Lemaire Yukihioro Kato 30-1
21 Neoequos TBA Saffie Joseph Jr. 50-1
22 Render Judgment TBA Kenny McPeek 50-1
23 Baeza TBA John Shirreffs 50-1
24 California Burrito TBA Tommy Drury Jr. 50-1

Watch the Kentucky Derby on DIRECTV

The 2025 Kentucky Derby promises to be another exciting edition of the prestigious race. From the top contenders to the controversies, there is always something to keep horse racing enthusiasts on the edge of their seats.

For those watching from the comfort of your own home, you don’t want to miss a minute of the action and with DIRECTV, you don’t have to. With access to FanDuel TV, USA and NBC, you can record the Oaks and Derby or watch them live.

So, mark your calendars and get ready for the “Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports!”

Don’t have DIRECTV? Let’s change that.


More About the Kentucky Derby

Here are some additional tidbits of information around the Kentucky Derby for you to use to impress all your friends.

Kentucky Derby Official Drink: Mint Julep – a bourbon-based cocktail garnished with fresh mint. It’s a refreshing drink to sip on while waiting for the big race to begin.

Kentucky Derby Attire: When you think of horse racing, do you think of fashion? If you didn’t before, you will now! The race is the perfect excuse to debut new, flashy styles and wear your Derby best. From large hats and dapper suits to bright colors and fun florals, nothing is “too much” at the Derby!

Triple Crown Races: The three biggest races in the US every year include the Kentucky Derby, the Belmont Stakes and the Preakness Stakes.

Triple Crown Horses: Only 13 horses have won the Triple Crown since 1919, when Sir Barton became the first horse to win all three Triple Crown races.

Kentucky Derby Ticket Prices: Standing room and general admission tickets for the event start at $275 and go up to more than $100K for private suites.

Kentucky Derby Watch Party Tips: Throw together some mint juleps, decorate your space with roses, place some low-stakes bets, order a few race day programs and ask your friends or family to come in their most fabulous attire. Those are just a few ways to make your 2025 Kentucky Derby experience a winner!

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