Kentucky
The Kentucky Derby is Saturday. Here’s what you should know about the horse racing event
Kentucky Derby 2024 sales for mint juleps, food at Churchill Downs
How many mint juleps are sold? How many souvenirs are bought at Chruchill Downs? See the average consumption data during the Kentucky Derby.
The 150th Kentucky Derby is quickly approaching, and you don’t need to be in the Bluegrass State to enjoy a mint julep while you sing “My Old Kentucky Home.”
The annual horse race is an exciting time for people to get together, place bets and revel in the southern charm of the event.
Even if you know nothing about horse racing or Derby Day traditions, there are plenty of ways to learn about them before you participate in the festivities.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Kentucky Derby and Arizona events celebrating the day.
What is the Kentucky Derby?
This annual springtime horse race is the longest continually held sporting event in America. The Kentucky Derby is the first jewel of the Triple Crown series, followed by the Preakness Stakes in Baltimore and the Belmont Stakes in New York.
While the fanfare lasts all day, the race itself is 1.25 miles and typically lasts around two minutes. The race is also known as the “Run for the Roses” after the bed of roses that gets placed upon the winning horse’s back.
More Kentucky Derby: Catch up on ‘Race for the Roses’ coverage in time for 150th race
When is the Kentucky Derby in 2024?
The Kentucky Derby is traditionally held on the first Saturday of May. This year, the race will take place on Saturday, May 4.
What time is the Kentucky Derby?
The live coverage of the event begins at 2:30 p.m. Eastern time or 11:30 a.m. in Arizona.
The race is slated to start at 6:57 p.m. Eastern time and 3:57 p.m. in Arizona. You can find the full schedule online at churchilldowns.com.
How can I watch the Kentucky Derby?
NBC and USA Network will have live Kentucky Derby coverage. You can also stream coverage on Peacock, NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app.
Kentucky Derby events in Arizona
If you want to do more than just watch the big day on television, here are some of the biggest events in Arizona to gather and celebrate the event.
Kentucky
Kentucky is poised to land either Donnie Freeman or Sebastian Rancik this weekend, per report
Jones posted on Twitter that “Kentucky will have (absent a major change) either Freeman or Rancik by tomorrow,” while also noting the Wildcats still need to add another shooter and another big to round out the roster.
One of the top targets is Donnie Freeman, a 6-foot-9, 205-pound sophomore forward transferring from Syracuse. Freeman arrived in Lexington on Tuesday night and began his visit on Wednesday before leaving without a commitment. While there was concern he could land at UConn, that visit has since been canceled, leaving Kentucky and St. John’s as the top teams.
Freeman averaged 16.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game last season, while adding nearly a block and a steal per contest. He shot 47.4% from the field but 30.2% from 3-point range across 23 games.
The other option is Sebastian Rancik, a 6-foot-11, 220-pound sophomore forward transferring from Colorado. Rancik visited Kentucky starting Wednesday through Thursday and brings a versatile skill set, averaging 12.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2 assists per game while shooting 33.1% from 3.
Either Freeman or Rancik would provide a significant boost at the power forward position for head coach Mark Pope. Kentucky has already added guards Zoom Diallo and Alex Wilkins in the portal.
Kentucky
Kentucky football spring game offers early look at Will Stein’s Cats
Kentucky football coach Will Stein reflects on new position
Will Stein was officially introduced to fans and media as the head coach for the Kentucky Wildcats, replacing Mark Stoops.
LEXINGTON — Kentucky football had its first spring game under new coach Will Stein at Kroger Field on Saturday.
The offense, in blue jerseys, had its moments. So too the defense, donning white uniforms.
Ultimately, the blue squad earned a 23-18 victory in a game called just after noon because of inclement weather.
Stein admitted he “got emotional” as he charged onto the field prior to kickoff.
“I know it wasn’t a real game, but when I ran on the field, I definitely — man, I felt it,” he said. “It was like a wave running over me. And very, very, just cool.”
While it doesn’t count in the standings, Stein walked away pleased.
“I think we got a lot of really good work,” he said. “That’s the goal of spring is to improve with fundamentals and technique, learn how to practice, learn what winning edges that we need throughout spring to go into summer and fall and prepare the team for play. And we came out of the scrimmage clean. There (were) no injuries, which to me, that’s the biggest win of the day. I could (not) care less about the score.
“If we come out clean, that’s good. The Wildcats won.”
New starting QB Kenny Minchey looked about as expected, with sharp passes evened out by moments of inconsistency. Martels Carter Jr., a defensive back who is lining up at running back this spring, scored a touchdown and had several nice runs.
And the defense forced multiple three-and-outs and also picked off one Minchey pass on a two-point conversion.
This story will be updated.
Reach Kentucky men’s basketball and football reporter Ryan Black at rblack@gannett.com and follow him on X at @RyanABlack.
Kentucky
Kentucky has reportedly moved on from top-10 transfer Paulius Murauskas

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