The Kentucky Derby Signals a Potential Return to Normal
The Kentucky Derby is not for the faint of heart. If you’re interested in catching the fastest two minutes in sports, you need to think like a boy scout and be prepared. NBC’s coverage of the 147th running of the Kentucky Derby starts at 2:30 p.m. and wraps up around 7:30 p.m. EST. The actual 1.25 mile race starts at 6:57 and is immediately — like, within two minutes—followed by a celebration in which a garland of over 400 roses is draped around the winning horse’s neck. The race will be shown on nbcsports.com and the NBC Sports app.
There’s a cautious optimism in the air ahead of this year’s race. With 100 million Americans now fully vaccinated, many in the media are framing the Derby as one of the first big tests for public events. But with a lot riding on the event, Derby organizers aren’t taking any chances. In addition to donning the over-the-top hats and outfits that are famously associated with the event, spectators will also be in masks. Guests are only allowed to unmask when they are eating or drinking.
According to a spokesman for Churchill Downs, tickets were capped at 40,000-50,000. That’s less than half of the historic racetrack’s reserved capacity. To put things in perspective, consider the pre-covid year of 2015 when over 170,000 people, dressed in their Sunday best, came to see American Pharoah begin his ultimately successful quest for the Triple Crown.
This year, all eyes are on Essential Quality. The three-year-old gray colt has a perfect winning streak headed into the Derby and is heavily favored to win Saturday’s race. Current odds are at 5-2. Jockey Luis Saez will be in charge of steering Essential Quality across the wire. For Saez, this year’s Derby also offers a shot at redemption. Saez and his horse Maximum Security were disqualified from the Kentucky Derby in 2019 after two other jockeys challenged Saez’s win. But things are looking up for Saez who has ridden Essential Quality for four out his five victories.
Saez will ride in the 14th position right beside the horse with the next best odds—Rock Your World. Experts are also placing bets on fan favorite Hot Rod Charlie. The dark bay colt is owned in part by a group of five college friends who met while playing football at Brown University. After college, the friends launched Boat Racing LLC, a racehorse investment firm named after their favorite drinking game.
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