The 152nd Kentucky Derby is set to start at 6:57 p.m. ET, following a long day at Churchill Downs. Jockeys will spend much of the day in the pressure-filled jockeys' room before the race.
Key points
Kentucky Derby starts at 6:57 p.m. ET
152nd edition of the race
Jockeys spend most of the day in the jockeys' room
Churchill Downs racetrack in Louisville
Longest waits of the year for jockeys
Mentioned in this story
Churchill DownsLouisville
Kentucky Derby
Inside the pressure-packed confines of the Kentucky Derby jockeys' room
The biggest horse race of the year involves one of the longest waits of the year.
On Saturday, the 152nd edition of the Kentucky Derby is scheduled to begin at 6:57 p.m. ET, about nine hours after the Churchill Downs racetrack in Louisville opens and about seven hours after the day’s first race.
For those who will be aboard the horses during the “Run for the Roses,’’ most of that time will be spent in the jockeys’ room.
It features two pool tables, a ping pong table and a lounge. Cards used to be a favorite way to pass the time.
“Nowadays, everyone's on their phone all the time,’’ jockey Mike Smith told USA TODAY Sports.
But the energy is different on the day of the Kentucky Derby, and Smith knows that firsthand. He has ridden in the race a record 28 times and is set to ride again on So Happy.
As usual, he’ll spend ample time in the jockeys’ room.
A horse is bathed after morning workouts during Dawn at the Downs on the backside at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, on April 27, ahead of the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby.
St. Elizabeth Catholic Charities celebrates as they cross the finish line at the Kentucky Derby Festival's Great Bed Races held at Broadbent Arena Monday evening, April 27, 2026.
Q&A
What time does the Kentucky Derby start in 2023?
The Kentucky Derby is scheduled to start at 6:57 p.m. ET on Saturday.
Where is the Kentucky Derby held?
The Kentucky Derby takes place at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky.
How long do jockeys spend in the jockeys' room before the race?
Jockeys spend most of the day in the jockeys' room, which is about nine hours before the race starts.
What is the significance of the Kentucky Derby?
The Kentucky Derby is considered the biggest horse race of the year, known as the 'Run for the Roses.'
Related Articles
Sports·Preview
Kentucky Derby: How to bet $100 on the Run for the Roses
Learn how to effectively bet $100 on the Kentucky Derby 2026!
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Sports
Oliver Kahn saca el látigo con el Madrid: "Se niegan rotundamente a que se les imponga cualquier concepto..."
Oliver Kahn critica al Real Madrid por rechazar imposiciones y menciona a Klopp.
Marca··1 min read
Sports
Former CART champ and F1 driver Alex Zanardi dies at 59
Alex Zanardi, the former CART champion and F1 driver, has passed away at 59.
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
NFL
Chiefs decline to exercise fifth-year option for Felix Anudike-Uzomah
Chiefs decline fifth-year option for Felix Anudike-Uzomah, making him a free agent in 2026.
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Sports
'Club is reborn' - Wednesday takeover completed and points deduction overturned
Sheffield Wednesday's future secured as David Storch completes takeover and points deduction is waived.
Sky Sports··1 min read
MMA·Recap
UFC Perth video: Brando Pericic takes out Shamil Gaziev in slugfest
Brando Pericic scores a knockout victory over Shamil Gaziev at UFC Fight Night 275 in Perth!
See every story in Sports — including breaking news and analysis.
Flowers in the Winner's Circle at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, a week before the running of the 152nd Kentucky Derby, on April 24, 2026.
John King and his daughter, Ghauni, 4, watch as the first hot air balloons lift at the Kentucky Derby Festival's Great Balloon Glow Thursday night at Waterfront Park on April 23, 2026.
Levi Shank, left, and Amanda Regier run in costume following the start of the 2026 Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon and mini Marathon on Saturday, April 25, 2026 in Louisville Kentucky.
The Japanese team of Wonder Dean celebrated their horse's No. 10 post position after the 2026 Kentucky Derby Draw at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, on April 25, 2026.
2026 Kentucky Derby horse Fulleffort, trained by Brad Cox, was ridden by Edvin Vargas during a morning workout on April 23, 2026 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Fulleffort has seven career races with three wins, two second-place finishes and one third-place finish.
2026 Kentucky Derby horse Silent Tactic during a morning workout on April 23, 2026 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Silent Tactic is trained by Mark Casse.
The Shady Rays balloon lifts off as hot air balloons take flight at Bowman Field for the KDF Great BalloonFest Rush Hour Race in Louisville on April 24, 2026.
People gathered around to see the Kentucky Derby and Oaks horses arrive at the main gap during morning training at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, on April 28, 2026.
A horse is bathed after morning workouts during Dawn at the Downs on the backside at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, on April 27, 2026, ahead of the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby.
Spectators line East Broadway to catch a glimpse of the floats during the Zoeller Pump Company Pegasus Parade in Louisville, Kentucky, Sunday, April 26, 2026.
The trophy given to the winner of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, on April 25.
2026 Kentucky Derby trainer Todd Pletcher on the backside watching his horses work out at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky on April 27, 2028. Pletcher has 2026 Kentucky Derby horse Renegade.
2026 Kentucky Derby horse and favorite Renegade getting bathed after working at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, on April 27, 2026. The horse is trained by Todd Pletcher.
A crowd gathers on the backside at sunrise during Dawn at the Downs at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, on April 27, ahead of the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby.
Veteran jockey and two-time Kentucky Derby winner Mike Smith, who will pilot 2026 Kentucky Derby hopeful So Happy, on April 24, 2026.
A unicylcist waves to the crowd during the 2026 Pegasus Parade on Broadway Avenue in Louisville, Kentucky, on Sunday, April 26, 2026.
A crowd gathers to watch as 2026 Kentucky Derby contender Six Speed walks in circles before the special training time for Derby and Oaks horses at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, on April 24, 2026. The horse is trained by Bhupat Seamer.
1 / 19
Check out scenes as anticipation builds leading up to the Kentucky Derby
A horse is bathed after morning workouts during Dawn at the Downs on the backside at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, on April 27, ahead of the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby.
1 / 19
Check out scenes as anticipation builds leading up to the Kentucky Derby
A horse is bathed after morning workouts during Dawn at the Downs on the backside at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, on April 27, ahead of the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby.
2 / 19
Check out scenes as anticipation builds leading up to the Kentucky Derby
St. Elizabeth Catholic Charities celebrates as they cross the finish line at the Kentucky Derby Festival's Great Bed Races held at Broadbent Arena Monday evening, April 27, 2026.
3 / 19
Check out scenes as anticipation builds leading up to the Kentucky Derby
Flowers in the Winner's Circle at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, a week before the running of the 152nd Kentucky Derby, on April 24, 2026.
4 / 19
Check out scenes as anticipation builds leading up to the Kentucky Derby
John King and his daughter, Ghauni, 4, watch as the first hot air balloons lift at the Kentucky Derby Festival's Great Balloon Glow Thursday night at Waterfront Park on April 23, 2026.
5 / 19
Check out scenes as anticipation builds leading up to the Kentucky Derby
Levi Shank, left, and Amanda Regier run in costume following the start of the 2026 Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon and mini Marathon on Saturday, April 25, 2026 in Louisville Kentucky.
6 / 19
Check out scenes as anticipation builds leading up to the Kentucky Derby
The Japanese team of Wonder Dean celebrated their horse's No. 10 post position after the 2026 Kentucky Derby Draw at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, on April 25, 2026.
7 / 19
Check out scenes as anticipation builds leading up to the Kentucky Derby
2026 Kentucky Derby horse Fulleffort, trained by Brad Cox, was ridden by Edvin Vargas during a morning workout on April 23, 2026 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Fulleffort has seven career races with three wins, two second-place finishes and one third-place finish.
8 / 19
Check out scenes as anticipation builds leading up to the Kentucky Derby
2026 Kentucky Derby horse Silent Tactic during a morning workout on April 23, 2026 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Silent Tactic is trained by Mark Casse.
9 / 19
Check out scenes as anticipation builds leading up to the Kentucky Derby
The Shady Rays balloon lifts off as hot air balloons take flight at Bowman Field for the KDF Great BalloonFest Rush Hour Race in Louisville on April 24, 2026.
10 / 19
Check out scenes as anticipation builds leading up to the Kentucky Derby
People gathered around to see the Kentucky Derby and Oaks horses arrive at the main gap during morning training at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, on April 28, 2026.
11 / 19
Check out scenes as anticipation builds leading up to the Kentucky Derby
A horse is bathed after morning workouts during Dawn at the Downs on the backside at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, on April 27, 2026, ahead of the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby.
12 / 19
Check out scenes as anticipation builds leading up to the Kentucky Derby
Spectators line East Broadway to catch a glimpse of the floats during the Zoeller Pump Company Pegasus Parade in Louisville, Kentucky, Sunday, April 26, 2026.
13 / 19
Check out scenes as anticipation builds leading up to the Kentucky Derby
The trophy given to the winner of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, on April 25.
14 / 19
Check out scenes as anticipation builds leading up to the Kentucky Derby
2026 Kentucky Derby trainer Todd Pletcher on the backside watching his horses work out at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky on April 27, 2028. Pletcher has 2026 Kentucky Derby horse Renegade.
15 / 19
Check out scenes as anticipation builds leading up to the Kentucky Derby
2026 Kentucky Derby horse and favorite Renegade getting bathed after working at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, on April 27, 2026. The horse is trained by Todd Pletcher.
16 / 19
Check out scenes as anticipation builds leading up to the Kentucky Derby
A crowd gathers on the backside at sunrise during Dawn at the Downs at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, on April 27, ahead of the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby.
17 / 19
Check out scenes as anticipation builds leading up to the Kentucky Derby
Veteran jockey and two-time Kentucky Derby winner Mike Smith, who will pilot 2026 Kentucky Derby hopeful So Happy, on April 24, 2026.
18 / 19
Check out scenes as anticipation builds leading up to the Kentucky Derby
A unicylcist waves to the crowd during the 2026 Pegasus Parade on Broadway Avenue in Louisville, Kentucky, on Sunday, April 26, 2026.
19 / 19
Check out scenes as anticipation builds leading up to the Kentucky Derby
A crowd gathers to watch as 2026 Kentucky Derby contender Six Speed walks in circles before the special training time for Derby and Oaks horses at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, on April 24, 2026. The horse is trained by Bhupat Seamer.
“They're bringing all kinds of different stars up there, athletes, politicians,’’ said Smith, a two-time winner of the Kentucky Derby. “So you're visiting a whole lot and it's pretty cool.’’
The celebrities who visited last year included former NBA star Carmelo Anthony.
“And all the golfers come in all the time when they come up, they always come in,’’ Smith said. “Everyone comes in to say hi. And politicians, you might meet, who knows. A lot of different coaches and all kinds of stuff.’’
Manny Franco, a 31-year-old jockey from Puerto Rico, will be riding in the Kentucky for the seventh time. He said he watches the TV broadcast of the races on the day of the Derby. Unless he’s riding in those races, of course.
Regardless, there’s still time to fill before the Kentucky Derby starts.
“I get anxious, not nervous,’’ Franco told USA TODAY Sports. “But it's the best, man. It's the best feeling, because it's the biggest day of the year. Everybody's watching.’’
Whether it’s mingling or playing pool, ping pong or cards, the distractions can be helpful, according to Smith.
“Otherwise, you're just sitting there thinking about it too much,’’ he said. “So just get out of your head and start talking
“You learn not to get hyped up. You get so hyped up early and it's such a long wait. You wind up wearing yourself out mentally.’’
