Kentucky Derby 2023: Where to watch, weather forecast
Where can you watch Kentucky Derby 2023 and other races from the big weekend at Churchill Downs? The short answer is NBC, but of course it’s more involved than that.
On Saturday, Kentucky Derby day, NBC’s coverage from Churchill Downs begins at noon and will be available on Peacock as well. Post time for the Derby is 6:57 p.m. EDT.
Coverage also will be offered on America’s Day at the Races beginning at 10:30 a.m. EDT and on FanDuel TV and Racetrack Television Network.
Can’t get to a TV? Sirius XM will offer Derby-related coverage, including the call of the race, on channel 85 beginning at 10 a.m. EDT.
Weather outlook
The last three editions of the Kentucky Derby have been run on a fast track. The two prior runnings took place in showery conditions over a sloppy, sealed main track, including in 2018, when a Derby day record 3.15 inches of rain fell in Louisville, Ky.
So what's the outlook for Kentucky Derby 2023? As of Saturday morning, we can expect another fast track.
The National Weather Service predicts that Saturday will be partly sunny, with a high near 80 and a south wind between seven and 10 miles per hour. Though earlier in the week forecasters expected some rain for Saturday, the rain is not expect to fall until overnight, mainly after 4 a.m. EDT.
Here are Derby weather facts from the National Weather Service:
Coldest temperature: 36 degrees, May 4, 1940, and May 4, 1957
Coldest high temperature: 47 degrees, May 4, 1935, and May 4, 1957
Coldest average daily temperature: 42 degrees, May 4, 1957
Warmest temperature: 94 degrees, May 2, 1959
Warmest low temperature: 72 degrees, May 14, 1886
Warmest average daily temperature: 79 degrees, May 14, 1886
Wettest: 3.15 inches of rain, May 5, 2018
Frozen precipitation: On May 6, 1989, sleet was observed from 1:01 p.m. to 1:05 p.m.
Of the 148 Derby days, 70 (47 percent) experienced rain at some point during the day.
Longest stretch of consecutive wet Derby days (24 hours): seven (2007-13)
Longest stretch of consecutive wet Derby days (1 p.m.-7 p.m.): six (1989-94)
Longest stretch of consecutive dry Derby days (24 hours): eight (1937-44)
Longest stretch of consecutive dry Derby days (1 p.m-7 p.m.): 12 (1875-1886) The above records, unless otherwise noted, are for the entire calendar day – not necessarily race time. Also, the figures are from the official observation site for the city of Louisville, not at Churchill Downs itself.