Legendary jockey Pat Day will announce 'Riders Up' at the 2026 Kentucky Derby on May 2. The event, marking the 152nd Run for the Roses, has a post time of 6:57 p.m.
Key points
Pat Day will announce 'Riders Up' at the 2026 Kentucky Derby.
The Derby takes place on May 2, 2026.
Post time for the race is 6:57 p.m.
Pat Day is a Hall of Fame jockey who won the Derby in 1992.
Tedeschi Trucks Band will perform the national anthem.
Mentioned in this story
Pat DayNational Museum of Racing and Hall of FameTedeschi Trucks Band
Kentucky Derby
Before the start of the 2026 Kentucky Derby on Saturday, May 2, legendary Derby winning jockey Pat Day will announce "Riders Up" on NBC, indicating its time for the jockeys take their mounts for the 152nd Run for the Roses. Post time is 6:57 p.m. for the iconic horse race.
Day, who won the Kentucky Derby in 1992 aboard longshot Lil E. Tee, will enter the Paddock area of the track and command "Ladies and gentlemen, the city of Louisville, the commonwealth of Kentucky and sports fans from around the world have been waiting for this moment. Riders Up!" The command is a tradition where a designated person tells jockeys to prepare for the race.
The retired jockey was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 1991. A bronze statue of Day, with his arms stretched up in celebration, can be found on the grounds of Churchill Downs.
The premiere American blues rock group led by married couple Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks won the 2012 Grammy for Best Blues Album and is currently on tour with its latest album "Future Soul."
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Football player Jonathan Owens, left, and Olympian Simone Biles, right, pose on the Barnstable Brown Derby Eve Gala red carpet Friday night. May 02, 2025. Biles announced 'Riders Up' that year.
Chicago Bears football player Jonathan Owens and Olympian Simone Biles on the Kentucky Derby red carpet May 03, 2025. Biles announced 'Riders Up' that year.
Rapper Jack Harlow did the Riders Up call May 7, 2022. He eventually petted the horse of Churchill Downs outrider Greg Blasi, though he did back off when the horse reared his head before the running of the 148th Kentucky Derby.
Martha Stewart's Red Carpet interview at the 150th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. She called 'Riders Up' in 2024.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes called the "Riders Up" command at the 149th Kentucky Derby on May 6, 2023. He's here with his wife Brittany at the Kentucky Derby red carpet.
John Calipari, the head coach of the Kentucky Wildcats, gave the 'Riders Up' call at the 2012 Kentucky Derby. Here, he gives instructions to his team against the Utah Valley Wolverines at Rupp Arena on November 18, 2019 in Lexington, Kentucky.
Legendary trainer D. Wayne Lukas did the Riders Up call at the 147th Kentucky Derby in 2021. Here he watches his horses train from the side of the track at Churchill Downs on April 23, 2021.
Sean Payton, then-head coach of the New Orleans Saints, said 'Riders Up' in 2016. Here, he attends the NFL Annual League Meeting at The Breakers as Denver Broncos head coach in 2025. Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
Baker Mayfield called 'Riders Up' in 2019. Here, he and Emily Wilkinson walk the red carpet at the Kentucky Derby on May 4, 2019.
Laila Ali, retired boxing champion, called 'Riders Up' in 2018. Here, she poses on the Derby red carpet on May 05, 2018.
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These celebs, athletes have called 'Riders up!' at past Kentucky Derbys
Olympian Simone Biles on the Kentucky Derby red carpet May 03, 2025. She announced 'Riders Up' that year.
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These celebs, athletes have called 'Riders up!' at past Kentucky Derbys
Olympian Simone Biles on the Kentucky Derby red carpet May 03, 2025. She announced 'Riders Up' that year.
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These celebs, athletes have called 'Riders up!' at past Kentucky Derbys
Football player Jonathan Owens, left, and Olympian Simone Biles, right, pose on the Barnstable Brown Derby Eve Gala red carpet Friday night. May 02, 2025. Biles announced 'Riders Up' that year.
3 / 11
These celebs, athletes have called 'Riders up!' at past Kentucky Derbys
Chicago Bears football player Jonathan Owens and Olympian Simone Biles on the Kentucky Derby red carpet May 03, 2025. Biles announced 'Riders Up' that year.
4 / 11
These celebs, athletes have called 'Riders up!' at past Kentucky Derbys
Rapper Jack Harlow did the Riders Up call May 7, 2022. He eventually petted the horse of Churchill Downs outrider Greg Blasi, though he did back off when the horse reared his head before the running of the 148th Kentucky Derby.
5 / 11
These celebs, athletes have called 'Riders up!' at past Kentucky Derbys
Martha Stewart's Red Carpet interview at the 150th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. She called 'Riders Up' in 2024.
6 / 11
These celebs, athletes have called 'Riders up!' at past Kentucky Derbys
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes called the "Riders Up" command at the 149th Kentucky Derby on May 6, 2023. He's here with his wife Brittany at the Kentucky Derby red carpet.
7 / 11
These celebs, athletes have called 'Riders up!' at past Kentucky Derbys
John Calipari, the head coach of the Kentucky Wildcats, gave the 'Riders Up' call at the 2012 Kentucky Derby. Here, he gives instructions to his team against the Utah Valley Wolverines at Rupp Arena on November 18, 2019 in Lexington, Kentucky.
8 / 11
These celebs, athletes have called 'Riders up!' at past Kentucky Derbys
Legendary trainer D. Wayne Lukas did the Riders Up call at the 147th Kentucky Derby in 2021. Here he watches his horses train from the side of the track at Churchill Downs on April 23, 2021.
9 / 11
These celebs, athletes have called 'Riders up!' at past Kentucky Derbys
Sean Payton, then-head coach of the New Orleans Saints, said 'Riders Up' in 2016. Here, he attends the NFL Annual League Meeting at The Breakers as Denver Broncos head coach in 2025. Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
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These celebs, athletes have called 'Riders up!' at past Kentucky Derbys
Baker Mayfield called 'Riders Up' in 2019. Here, he and Emily Wilkinson walk the red carpet at the Kentucky Derby on May 4, 2019.
11 / 11
These celebs, athletes have called 'Riders up!' at past Kentucky Derbys
Laila Ali, retired boxing champion, called 'Riders Up' in 2018. Here, she poses on the Derby red carpet on May 05, 2018.
Numerous celebrities from the world of sports, music and television had have the honor of making the "Riders Up!" command ahead of the Kentucky Derby. They include:
