When’s the 2014 Kentucky Derby? Post Time and Odds

The running of the 2014 Kentucky Derby is Saturday, May 3, at Churchill Downs. 

The first leg of the Triple Crown, this year’s Derby has 20 horses vying for victory.

Betting odds for the 140th running of the Kentucky Derby favor: California Chrome, followed by Hoppertunity, Intense Holiday and Ride on Curlin, then Wicked Strong and Candy Boy with Danza rolling out in fifth.

The Kentucky Derby is followed by the Preakness Stakes on May 17 and the Belmont Stakes June 7. There hasn’t been a Triple Crown winner since 1978.

Orb was the winner of the 2013 Kentucky Derby. Watch the 2013 Kentucky Derby here.

The Derby is televised live on NBC starting at 6 p.m. Saturday night.

Here are five things you need to know about this year’s Derby:

• When Is Post Time? Post time is 6: 24 p.m.

• How Many Horses Race in the Derby? 20 horses take part in the Derby. This year Massachusetts’ bred Wicked Strong is making his debut.

• If There Are Only 20 Horses in the Derby Why Do Lists Show 21? While only 20 horses will actually race on Saturday, 21 horses are officially entered. Pablo Del Monte will join the field if another horse pulls out before Friday morning.

• How is Post Position Determined? Horses earn their post position by drawing. Entry blanks for each horse are pulled simultaneously with a numbered pill determining which stall the horse will be in at the starting gate. Post positions for the 2014 Kentucky Derby were drawn on Wednesday.  

• What Are the Current Odds and Favorites? California Chrome leads the field for favorite to win the 2014 Kentucky Derby, followed by Hoppertunity, Wicked Strong and Vicar’s in Trouble. Here are the current odds from the Bleacher Report