When is the Kentucky Derby 2026: How to watch, post time, TV and streaming info, schedule, location, date

Where is the Kentucky Derby?

Spectators have gathered at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, to witness the "Run for the Roses" dating back to 1875.

The initial idea for Churchill Downs sparked in 1872, when Colonel Meriwether Lewis Clark attended the Epsom Derby in England. When Clark made his way back to the states, he sought to create a track similar to England’s that Kentucky racers could call home.

A few years later, that desire came to fruition, as “Churchill Downs” was born. The track’s first official race day came on May 17, 1875, with three major stakes races – the Kentucky Derby, Kentucky Oaks and Clark Handicap.

Who won last year’s Kentucky Derby?

Sovereignty won the 2025 Kentucky Derby on a sloppy track at Churchill Downs.

Which horses have the best shot to win the 2026 Kentucky Derby?

How many horses can qualify for the Kentucky Derby?

Only 20 horses earn a spot in the starting gate.

RELATED: 2026 Kentucky Derby post positions: Full draw, horses, starting gate order, odds, jockeys, trainers, owners

What makes a horse eligible for the Kentucky Derby?

The Road to the Kentucky Derby features three paths: the American Road, the Japan Road, and the European/Middle East Road. Prep races for the Derby begin in September and run through mid-April.

Horses that finish in the top five earn points. The horses with the most total points on the American road earn a spot in the Kentucky Derby, and invites will be extended to the top point earners on both the Japan and European/Middle East roads.

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