As most US horse racing fans will know the Run For The Roses is always run in early May, but just what time is the Kentucky Derby this year and what is the actual date of the biggest horse race in America?
We answer these questions below, plus also showcase the Kentucky Derby race time across all the main US (and world) time zones. This is so, no matter where you live, you can set your alarms to catch the big Churchill Downs Triple Crown contest.
What Time Is The Kentucky Derby 2024?
The Kentucky Derby is always staged at Churchill Downs in Louisville, KY and so the track falls into the ‘US Eastern Time Zone’.
This year in 2024, the race has a post time of 6:45pm (ET), but this will, of course, vary across the rest of the US – more on that below.
What Date Is The Kentucky Derby 2024?
The 150th running of the Kentucky Derby will be on Saturday, May 4, 2024.
Kentucky Derby Post Time Across US Time Zones
Now we’ve answered the question – what time is the Kentucky Derby 2024 – you can also see from the table below that with the US being a vast country there are many different time zones from east-to-west.
With the race in Kentucky (Eastern Time), this means residents that live west of the track will be seeing the race at slightly different times.
Those based in the Central Time Zone will get the race at 5:45pm, the Mountain Time Zone at 4:45pm and the Pacific Time Zone, that includes states like California, can watch the race at 3:45pm.
| Eastern Time |
Central Time | Mountain Time | Pacific Time | Alaska Time | Hawaii Time |
| 6:45pm (Kentucky Derby) |
5:45pm (-1 hour) |
4:45pm (-2 hours) |
3:45pm (-3 hours) |
2:45pm (-4 hours) |
12:45pm (-6 hours) |
Kentucky Derby 2024 Race Times Around The World
In addition to the various US time zones, we also compare the 2024 Kentucky Derby race time with other big cities around the world.
With the UK being five hours ahead of the US (Eastern Time), this means the 6:45pm race time will be at 11:45pm if you live in London (Saturday May 4).
While for Japanese horse racing fans looking to cheer on their main hope Forever Young, the race will actually be on the morning of Sunday, May 5 there – and shown at 5:45am with Tokyo +13 hours ahead of the US.
| Eastern Time |
UK (London) |
Japan (Tokyo) |
Australia (Melbourne) |
India (New Delhi) |
France (Paris) |
Brazil (Rio) |
South Africa (Cape Town) |
| 6:45pm (May 4) (Kentucky Derby) |
11:45pm (May 4) (+5 hours) |
5:45am (May 5) (+13 hours) |
4:45am (May 5) (+12 hours) |
4:15pm (May 5) (+9 1/2 hours) |
12:45pm (May 4) (+ 6 hours) |
7:45pm (May 4) (+ 1 hour) |
12:45pm (May 4) (+ 6 hours) |
How To Watch The Kentucky Derby 2024
If you are not intending on making it to Churchill Downs to watch the race, but still want to wager on Kentucky Derby betting sites, then don’t worry as there are many ways to still watch the 150th renewal of the Run For The Roses.
The 2024 Kentucky Derby will be shown live on NBC, with the broadcast starting at 2:30pm (ET) and the big race at 6:45pm.
For non-cable TV viewers, you can also watch the Kentucky Derby horses live on Peacock, while you can also catch the first leg of the US Triple Crown via providers like YouTubeTV, Hulu and Live TV.
How Many Races Are There On Kentucky Derby Day at Churchill Downs?
Of course, the Kentucky Derby isn’t the only race on the Churchill Downs card that day.
Racing fans will enjoy a bumper 14-race card that also includes three other Grade I races – Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic, Churchill Downs Stakes and the Derby City Distaff Stakes. You can see the complete Kentucky Derby schedule elsewhere on site.
While the Kentucky Oaks is always run the day before the Derby, which will be on Friday May 3 this year.
