START PLANNING YOUR TRIP TO THE 2024 KENTUCKY DERBY
By HRI Foreign Staff — The Kentucky Derby is a highly anticipated annual horse race that takes place on the first Saturday of May each year. It is considered one of the world’s most prestigious horse races and attracts thousands of fans worldwide. Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, is where the event takes place, and it has been held annually since 1875 without fail.
The Derby is a Grade I Stakes race for three-year-old Thoroughbreds and is known as one of the most significant events in the world of horse racing. The field is selected via a series of races, known as the Road to the Kentucky Derby. Points are awarded to the top four horses in each race, and the top 20 in the standings at the end of the series earn their spot in the Derby.
The next event is scheduled for May 4, 2024. The exact time has yet to be finalized, but it is typically between 6:30 and 7:00 pm EST. Gates usually open at 9:00 am, with other races beginning mid-morning.
The race’s distance is 1¼ miles or 10 furlongs. In terms of time, it usually lasts around two minutes, hence the nickname “the most exciting two minutes in sports.” Participating horses are some of the fastest in the world and many of them can reach speeds of up to 37 mph. The world record for top speed by a thoroughbred is 43.97 mph, though this was not clocked at the Kentucky Derby.
The field for 2024 has not yet been determined, though a total of 20 horses are expected to compete in the race. The winning horse receives a prize purse of $3 million, with an estimated $1.86 million going to the winner. The winning jockey also receives 10% of the winnings.
The winners aren’t the only ones who will be making money from the prestigious race. The Derby is one of the most bet-on events among punters all over the world and, now that sports betting in Kentucky is legal, the upcoming iteration will attract thousands of new bettors. All the major sportsbooks will offer odds on what is already one of the most highly-anticipated horseracing spectacles of the upcoming year.
If you’re here, you’ve probably heard of the Triple Crown. For a horse to win the Triple Crown, it has to win the Kentucky Derby, the Belmont Stakes, and the Preakness Stakes in the same year. To date, only thirteen horses have managed to achieve this feat. This is one of the most coveted achievements in horse racing and adds to the prestige and excitement of the Kentucky Derby.
The Kentucky Derby is not just a horse race but an entire weekend of sport, tradition, and entertainment. Many people travel from all over the world to attend the race each year and experience the full range of festivities.
If you are planning to attend for the first time, there are some things you should know that would help you get the most out of your experience. The weather in Louisville in May is typically warm, with average highs in the 70s. However, May is also the city’s rainiest month, so it is recommended to pack for all conditions. The city of Louisville offers a range of attractions for visitors to explore while in town for the Derby, such as museums, restaurants, and tours to horse country and bourbon country.
So to wrap up, the Kentucky Derby is an exciting event that attracts thousands of fans from all over the world each year. The race takes place on the first Saturday of May and is considered one of the world’s most prestigious horse races. The field is selected through a series of races known as the Road to the Kentucky Derby, and the winning horse receives a prize purse of $3 million.
It’s important to note that tickets for the Kentucky Derby can sell out quickly, so it’s always a good idea to plan ahead and book early if you’re thinking of attending. There are a variety of ticket options available, ranging from general admission to VIP packages, so be sure to research and choose the option that best suits your needs and budget.
Given that the Derby is a popular event, prices for accommodations and transportation may also be higher than usual during this time.
