Channel, race time, updated odds, Forte scratched and more

Grab your most dramatic hat or a delicious mint julep and let’s go become dizzy and get ready for the 149th Kentucky Derby today. This year’s derby has already exceeded expectations, with several major upsets in the original 20-horse field. Forte, the betting favorite, was the last horse scrambled after a Saturday morning practice. Irad Ortiz Jr., the jockey who was supposed to ride Forte, has moved to Cyclone Mischief.

Forte joined Practical Move, Lord Miles, Continuar and Skinner as contenders already removed from the race list. The horses Mandarin Hero, Cyclone Mischief and King Russell have been replaced as alternates. There are now 18 horses scheduled for Saturday’s Kentucky Derby.

Ready to watch this year’s Run for the Roses? The Triple Crown kickoff will air on NBC this year, meaning you don’t have to be down south to enjoy the equestrian festivities. cord cutter? Don’t worry, you can stream the event live on Peacock or Sling Blue (more info below). Whether you’re throwing a Derby party or planning to bet on your favorite horse, here’s what you need to know about the 2023 Kentucky Derby, including the latest odds and news, an updated roster, how to watch the Derby or cable-free streaming and more.

You can get last minute updates and follow all the action here with our live blog.

How to watch the 2023 Kentucky Derby

Date: Saturday, May 6, 2023
Match start time: 6:57 p.m. ET
Place: Churchill Downs
TV: NBC
Stream:

What channel is the Kentucky Derby on?

The most exciting two minutes in the sport will be easier than ever to watch this year, with a record 7.5 hours of race day coverage scheduled to air on NBC and stream on Peacock starting at noon ET on Saturday, May 6. You can also watch the race via NBC on Yahoo Sports.

Derby Day coverage actually began on Friday, May 5. Over two days of coverage, NBC will showcase a total of 15 live races from Churchill Downs.

If you already have access to NBC, then you should be on your way! No need to keep reading. But if you’re not sure how to tune into NBC’s Kentucky Derby coverage in 2023, then take it easy and check out our suggestions for the best way to watch the race below, including streaming, cable and more.

(Photo: Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Starting at just $5 a month, a Peacock subscription is the easiest way to stream live sports and events airing on NBC, including this year’s Kentucky Derby! You also get access to thousands of hours of shows and movies, including beloved sitcoms like ‘Parks and Recreation’ and ‘The Office’ and even recent theatrical releases like ‘Cocaine Bear’ and ‘M3GAN’. For $10 a month, you can upgrade to an ad-free subscription that includes live access to your local NBC channel (not just during designated sports and events) and the ability to download select titles for offline viewing.

$5 at Peacock

Other ways to watch the Kentucky Derby on NBC

(Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

You can stream the Kentucky Derby on NBC through Sling TV’s Blue tier. With no long-term contract, 50% off your first month, and 40 other channels to enjoy, Sling Blue is an easy option for cord-cutters who might miss their cable package but don’t feel like going back to paying the big bill they pay. goes with. Along with NBC, Sling Blue covers USA, Food Network, MSNBC, Fox and more.

$20 at Sling TV

Forte scratched just hours of 2023 Kentucky Derby

Forte was removed from the Derby on Saturday morning after a veterinary inspection and training. The final decision was made by the state veterinarian.

Forte has been closely watched since he awkwardly stepped during a training session on Thursday.

Who is now the favorite to win the 2023 Kentucky Derby?

Forte, a horse trained by Todd Pletcher, was widely seen as the favorite to win this year’s derby before being scratched Saturday morning. With Forte’s removal, Tapit Trice and Angel of Empire shifted to 9-2 co-favorites at 1:30pm ET on Saturday.

Tapit Trice has an undefeated record in 2023. The horse won the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes in April and took victories in the Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby and in a claims race at Gulfstream Park in February.

Angel of Empire won the Arkansas Derby on April 1 and the Risen Star in February.

The public likes a dark horse, though, and there will certainly be plenty of people this Saturday willing to place bets on a less obvious candidate.