The Kentucky Derby Is Finally Happening This Saturday

THE KENTUCKY DERBY IS FINALLY HAPPENING THIS WEEKEND

The Kentucky Derby, a race for 3 year old Thoroughbred horses, is going to be taking place a little later this year than most, but is coming up, on Saturday, September 5th!

I've always been fascinated with this race. Even though I lived in Kentucky for 20 years, I never made it to the derby. However, I do like to bet on the horses.

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The race is only one and one-quarter miles long, and it is run on the dirt racetrack at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Sometimes it's a terrible muddy mess...in which case I worry about the horses falling and hurting themselves, which could mean the end of their life. Regardless, it's dangerous...it's amazing...and once you watch it, that minute thirty is pretty exciting and worth watching.

20 horses compete in the Kentucky Derby, which is way more than most horse races; where on average 8 horses race. The 20 horses racing in the Kentucky Derby must first travel along the Road to the Kentucky Derby, which is a series of 35 races taking place at tracks across the country and the world.

Points are awarded to the top 4 horses that finish in each of those 35 races, and the 20 horses with the most points earn a spot in the starting gate in the Kentucky Derby race. The Kentucky Derby winning purse is $2 million.

It is the longest continually held sporting event in America, and typically happens the first Saturday in May..until this year.

The Kentucky Derby is the first race for the Triple Crown, followed by the Preakness Stakes race and the Belmont Stakes race.

HORSES AT THE TOP

These are the 20 horses in the race this year, with the top 5 being the biggest contenders to win the race. So far, I've only seen 19 horses in this years race. Who do you think will take the race? You can learn more about the horses, and place your bets by clicking HERE now.