Horses, bourbon and hats: this year's Run for the Roses is almost here. The 2022 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve, which will be the 148th run of the annual race, takes place in Louisville, Kentucky, on May 7.
If you're planning on watching, attending or celebrating "the most exciting two minutes in sports," read on below for dates, events, ticket information and more.
What is the Kentucky Derby?
The Kentucky Derby is a top rank, Grade l stakes race for 3-year-old thoroughbred horses and the first leg of the American Triple Crown. A total of 20 horses, all of which qualified by earning points in the 2021/2022 Road to the Kentucky Derby worldwide race series, will compete.
The 1¼ mile race runs on the dirt track at Churchill Downs, where it has been held every year since its inception in 1875. According to the Kentucky Derby website, an estimated 155,000 people typically attend the race each year. The winning purse for 2022 is $3 million.
When is the Kentucky Derby?
The 2022 Kentucky Derby will take place on Saturday, May 7, in Louisville, Kentucky, with a post time scheduled for 6:57 p.m.
The race is typically scheduled for the first Saturday of each May. However, in 2020, it was postponed to September due to the pandemic.
Kentucky Derby Week, which includes traditions like Dawn at the Downs (May 1-2), starts Saturday, April 30, with Opening Night and continues through May 5.
The Kentucky Oaks, the race for female horses, is held one day before the Kentucky Derby on May 6.
Find the hour-by-hour Derby Day schedule at kentuckyderby.com/visit/derby-week/derby-day-schedule.
Where can I buy tickets for the Kentucky Derby?
Tickets for the Kentucky Derby 2022 and other celebratory events leading up to the race can be purchased online at kentuckyderby.com/tickets.
Why do people wear hats to the Kentucky Derby?
Fashion has been as much a part of the Kentucky Derby as the race itself since its inception. According to the Kentucky Derby website, Col. Meriwether Lewis Clark Jr., who founded the Louisville Jockey Club and organized the building of Churchill Downs, envisioned the Kentucky Derby as a high-end affair after attending racing events in Europe. Women's hats became the focal point of their outfits in the 1960s and extravagant fashion for both men and women at the Derby has only grown from there.
How can I watch the Kentucky Derby?
The Kentucky Derby 2022 coverage will air on May 7 from noon to 2:30 p.m. on USA Network and from 2:30 to 7:30 p.m. on NBC. You can also stream the race live on NBCSports.com, the NBC Sports app and Peacock.
How can I place bets on horses at the Kentucky Derby?
Even if you're not going to attend the Kentucky Derby, there are still a few ways to make wagers.
For a local option, Belterra Park on Kellogg Road is offering drive-thru wagering this year. Bets can be placed with cash only for the Kentucky Oaks on Friday, May 6, between noon and 6 p.m., and for the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, May 7 between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Bets can also be placed at Miami Valley Gaming in Lebanon. Find the casino's step-by-step instructions on wagering at miamivalleygaming.com/racing/wagering-101/.
Hosting a Kentucky Derby party or watching the race from home? You can also place bets online. TwinSpires.com, the official wagering partner of the Kentucky Derby, is currently offering a $200 bonus when you sign up for a new account and use the code BET200. Setting up an account can take a few minutes, though, so don't wait until right before the race to place your bets.
Derby Day parties in Cincinnati area
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