The 2021 Kentucky Derby live coverage will begin on NBCSN at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, May 1. It will run on NBCSN for two hours before switching over to NBC from 2:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. ET. But obviously that’s a lot of airtime for what’s considered “the most exciting two minutes in sports;” the official post time is set for 6:44 p.m., but it can be slightly delayed as well.
You may be thinking, why is the coverage for so long if the race is only two minutes long? The Kentucky Derby coverage is a whole spectacle and much more than just a horse race. There is a whole day of events that lead up to the Run for the Roses. Here is what you can tune into before the gates open.
The VIP red carpet is set to roll out from noon until 2:30 pm. Celebrities often show up at Churchill Downs for the event and show off their best Derby “look.” And every year, the Kentucky Derby red carpet is usually a mix of athletes, musicians, models and television and movie stars.
During the VIP red carpet event, the Derby Day Military Armed Forces Enlistment Ceremony will also take place. It will be held at the Trackside Winner’s Circle around 1:23 p.m.
The national anthem will take place around 5:08 p.m. The singer is not finalized yet, but many high-profile singers have performed at Churchill Downs in past years, including Lady Antebellum, Harry Connick Jr., Pentatonix and Rascal Flatts among others.
If you want to see all of the Derby horses before the race, the Derby Walk will approximately begin at 6:09 p.m. At that time, the Kentucky Derby contenders and trainers will head over from the barn to the paddock area to prepare for the race.
The traditional “Riders Up” call will be given at 6:37 p.m. The call instructs the jockeys to mount their horses and head to the track. In past years, celebrities have made the call, such as Baker Mayfield in 2019.
“My Old Kentucky Home” by Stephen Foster will be performed and sung at approximately 6:39 p.m.
Immediately after the completion of the race, the winner will be draped with a garland of roses and presented with the Kentucky Derby Trophy. The trainer, jockey, and other connections will begin celebrating with the G.H. Mumm Champagne Spray in the Kentucky Derby Winner’s Circle at 7:15 p.m.
So sit back and relax with a mint julep for a full day of action at the 2021 Kentucky Derby.
Photo Credit: Shirley J. Twitter, Tops In Lex Twitter, FJ Lejeune Twitter
