Wet Conditions Expected For Derby

Bobby Ilich
Updated
Showers are expected Saturday in Louisville for the Kentucky Derby.

The 143rd Run for the Roses is set to get underway Saturday night with what will likely include a sloppy Churchill Downs track under unseasonably cooler temperatures. On Friday, there were nine active weather alerts, according to local Louisville news outlets, perhaps putting a damper on the Kentucky Derby.

The National Weather Service forecasts that there is a 60 percent chance of rain between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. ET, along with isolated showers before 8 p.m. Temperatures will be in the low to mid-50s. This year should mark the 15th time the Kentucky Derby has been run on a muddy track.

Post time for the Derby is scheduled for 6:34 p.m. ET, with the race starting at 6:46 p.m. It's been called "The Most Exciting Two Minutes In Sports" or "The Fastest Two Minutes in Sports."

NBC will begin its coverage at 2:30 p.m. ET and NBC will have a live stream available.

Kentucky Derby Position, Horse, Jockey, Betting Odds (Bovada.lv)

1. Looking at Lee (C. Lanerie) 25/1

2. Thunder Snow (C. Soumillion) 20/1

3. Fast and Accurate (C. Hill) 50/1

4. Untrapped (C. Santana) 40/1

5. Always Dreaming (J. Velazquez) 9/2

6. State of Honor (J. Lezcano) 40/1

7. Girvin (M. Smith) 18/1

8. Hence (F. Geroux) 16/1

9. Irap (M. Gutierrez) 22/1

10. Gunnevera (J. Castellano) 10/1

11. Battle of Midway (F. Prat) 25/1

12. Sonneteer (K. Desormeaux) 40/1

13. J. Boys Echo (L. Saez) 28/1

14. Classic Empire (J. Leparoux) 17/4

15. McCracken (B. Hernandez) 6/1

16. Tapwrit (J. Ortiz) 28/1

17. Irish War Cry (R. Maragh) 13/2

18. Gormley (V. Espinoza) 18/1

19. Practical Joke (J. Rosario) 22/1

20. Patch (J. Gaffalione) 33/1

Prediction: If there was ever a year to go for a non-favorite, it's this one. McCracken, trained by Ian Wilkes, might be a good bet.