Kentucky Derby Day Timeline

KENTUCKY DERBY DAY TIMELINE

The run for the roses. Louisville’s ~150 year-old tradition is one of the most iconic and often referred to as “the two most exciting minutes in sports”. Three-year-old Thoroughbreds will run a distance of one and a quarter miles as every race attendee (and viewer across the country) waits with bated breath. Pastel colored garb, extravagantly decorated hats, and thundering thoroughbred horses send a tingle down any Kentucky native’s spine (and mine too).

The Kentucky Derby race first ran in 1875 and has since continued the tradition of running every first Saturday in May. With attendance often topping 150,000, it’s a behemoth of an event. It’s definitely a bucket list item.

George grew up less than a mile from Churchill Downs, so the Nunnelley family is well-versed in Derby Day festivities. If you’re a first-time Kentucky Derby attendee or an old pro, we’ve put together a Kentucky Derby Day timeline that will be SURE to optimize your Derby experience.

*YOU NEED CASH TO BET AT THE RACES*

Kentucky Derby Day Timeline (hour-by-hour)

8am - Happy Derby! Derby is celebrated as a full-blown holiday. No exaggerations. Businesses close, there are door decals, jockey-themed cocktail napkins and place settings, and all of the silver glassware is out on full display. Everyone is out in their DERBY BEST.

10:20am - The trumpet blares for the first “call to post” on Derby Day announcing 10 minutes to post for Race 1. Time to finish that makeup, put on your hat, and raise a breakfast toast to Kentucky’s finest day. Click HERE for a mint julep recipe.

11am - Make your way to Churchill and find a spot to tailgate. The Nunnelley family has been known to rent a big yellow school bus for friends and family to tailgate in a parking spot close to the track. Definitely a pro move so you don’t have to fight everybody and their dog for an Uber after the races.

12:30pm - Make your way to the gates. FYI - There is a no re-entry policy.

1:15pm - Purchase your first mint julep.

2:00pm - Bump into a celebrity.

2:15pm - Make your wagers. You can pick up “cheat sheets” for a small price, which will give you the expert’s opinion on who’s most likely to win. I’d suggest placing a couple of bets at the kiosk at once (i.e. multiple races) so you don’t have to keep rushing the window between races.

If you’ve never placed a bet on a horse race before, there are three things you need to tell the attendant:

Number of the Race
Number of the Horse(s)
Type of Bet: There are more than these, but this should get you through your first day at the races. Belly up to the rail at the Paddock and you’re sure to meet some folks who will give you more pointers.
- Win
- Place
- Show
- Across-the-Board
- Exacta (box)
- Trifecta (box)
- Superfecta (box)
- Pick-Six

2:30pm - Enjoy watching the races!

3:00pm - Mint julep #2 and more racing

4:30pm - Place your bets for the Old Forester Turf Classic and the Kentucky Derby! Best to get these in sooner rather than later or you might be out of luck.

6:00pm - If you have general admission tickets, be sure to secure your spot for the Derby race. Keep an eye on the track - if you want to watch the Derby horses walk from the barns to the Paddock, this is around the time they make their move.

6:30ish - Sing “My Old Kentucky Home” and tear up with the rest of the Kentucky natives.

6:50sih - THE KENTUCKY DERBY RACE!!!

7:00ish - [LOCAL TIP] Cheers your earnings from Derby and immediately head to The Paddock. Watch race 13 from the Paddock and witness the Derby winners walk back from the winner’s circle (without too much of a crowd).

8:30ish - The last race runs. Grab your crew, freshen up, and head out on the town. For one weekend only, many bars in Louisville stay open till 6am!

Another tip - if you’re unable to make it to the Kentucky Derby in-person, you can also place bets on the Twin Spires app.

A big ole THANK YOU to my sister-in-law, Ann, for helping me curate this timeline and a full Lousiville Travel Guide.

Best of luck on all of your wagers!