Put on your most extravagant hat because the 2023 Kentucky Derby takes over Churchill Downs on Saturday, May 6.
The 149th Kentucky Derby kicks off another exciting Triple Crown series. But if you can’t make the journey to Louisville this year, don’t gallop off just yet. NBC and Peacock have you covered with live TV coverage of this year’s finest horse racing.
Keep scrolling for a complete rundown of the Kentucky Derby schedule and TV provider recommendations.
What channel is the Kentucky Derby on?
Pro tip: Sirius XM subscribers can listen to the Kentucky Derby on NBC Sports Audio (ch. 85).
2023 Kentucky Derby schedule
The Kentucky Derby is usually held on the first Saturday in May. This year follows that trend, with the 2023 Derby Day happening on Saturday, May 6.
Data effective as of post date.
Best TV plans for watching the Kentucky Derby
Peacock is the best way to watch the Kentucky Derby. It shows the main event and carries select prep races like the Louisiana Derby, Florida Derby, Blue Grass Stakes, and Santa Anita Derby. Usually, you would need a TV provider with CNBC and USA Network to watch those qualifying events, but Peacock allows you to stream it all for as low as $4.99 a month.
Another inexpensive Kentucky Derby viewing method is using an antenna to pick up your local NBC station. While you’ll need to verify your location to ensure NBC is in your area, the one-time purchase let’s you watch TV without paying a monthly fee. Check out our free viewing options section below for more information on that.
Which TV providers carry the Kentucky Derby?
Beyond Peacock, most TV providers have Kentucky Derby coverage because NBC, CNBC, and USA Network are common channels. But some services don’t carry the Run for the Roses, as illustrated in our table below.
| Provider | Price | NBC | CNBC | USA Network | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cox | $56.00–$139.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read Cox review |
| DIRECTV | $64.99–$154.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read DIRECTV review |
| DIRECTV STREAM | $64.99–$154.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read DIRECTV STREAM review |
| DISH | $79.99–$109.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read DISH review |
| fuboTV | $74.99–$94.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read fuboTV review |
| Hulu + Live TV | $69.99–$82.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read Hulu + Live TV review |
| Optimum | $35.00–$115.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read Optimum review |
| Philo | $25.00/mo. | — | — | — |
View plans Read Philo review |
| Sling TV | $40.00–$55.00/mo. | ✔* | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read Sling TV review |
| Spectrum | $59.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read Spectrum review |
| Vidgo | $59.95–$79.95/mo. | — | — | — |
View plans Read Vidgo review |
| Xfinity | $20.00–$80.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read Xfinity review |
| YouTube TV | $72.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read YouTube TV review |
Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
*Available in select markets.
How to watch the Kentucky Derby for free
†CableTV.com utilizes paid Amazon links. Amazon.com Price; $47.99 (as of 4/3/23 10:30 a.m. CT). Read full disclaimer.
You can watch the Kentucky Derby for free by tuning in to NBC with an over-the-air (OTA) antenna. Of course, antennas aren’t free, but they are a great long-term solution to watching local channels without paying a monthly fee.
We recommend the Mohu Leaf 50 ($47.99 on Amazon†) because its 60-mile range and multi-directional design should pick up your local NBC station. Though, you’ll want to verify that by entering your zip code on the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Reception Map Tool.
For more antenna recommendations, check out our Best Antennas for Cord-Cutters guide. The right antenna should also set you up with your local FOX station, giving you complete access to every Triple Crown race this year.
What horses are in the 2023 Kentucky Derby?
The 2023 Kentucky Derby features 20 horses competing for the first jewel in this year’s Triple Crown. During the build-up to race day, Churchill Downs’ racing secretaries drew the post positions to determine which gates the horses start from. You can see the complete list in the table below.
| Pos. | Horse | Jockey | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hit Show | Manny Franco | Brad Cox |
| 2 | Verifying | Tyler Gaffalione | Brad Cox |
| 3 | Two Phil’s | Jareth Loveberry | Larry Rivelli |
| 4 | Confidence Game | James Graham | Keith Desormeaux |
| 5 | Tapit Trice | Luis Saez | Todd Pletcher |
| 6 | Kingsbarns | José Ortiz | Todd Pletcher |
| 7 | Reincarnate | John Velazquez | Tim Yakteen |
| 8 | Mage | Javier Castellano | Gustavo Delgado |
| 9 | Skinner | Juan Hernandez | John Shirreffs |
| 10 | Practical Move | Ramon Vazquez | Tim Yakteen |
| 11 | Disarm | Joel Rosario | Steve Asmussen |
| 12 | Jace’s Road | Florent Geroux | Brad Cox |
| 13 | Sun Thunder | Brian Hernandez | Ken McPeek |
| 14 | Angel of Empire | Flavien Prat | Brad Cox |
| 15 | Forte | Irad Ortiz Jr. | Todd Pletcher |
| 16 | Raise Cain | Gerardo Corrales | Ben Colebrook |
| 17 | Derma Sotogake | Christopher Lemaire | Hidetaka Otonashi |
| 18 | Rocket Can | Junior Alvarado | Bill Mott |
| 19 | Lord Miles | Paco Lopez | Saffie Joseph Jr. |
| 20 | Continuar | Ryusei Sakai | Yoshito Yahagi |
| —‡ | Cyclone Mischief | Joel Rosario | Dale L. Romans |
| —‡ | Mandarin Hero | Kazushi Kimura | Terunobu Fujita |
| —‡ | King Russell | Rafael Bejarano | Ron Moquett |
Data effective as of post date.
‡Also eligible if a horse scratches before the Scratch Deadline.
Final take
The Kentucky Derby is one of the most-watched sporting events of the year, and you can watch it live on NBC and Peacock. While most TV providers carry NBC, Peacock (starting at $4.99 per month) is the most convenient viewing option for those who prefer streaming. And, spending five dollars to watch a two-minute race isn’t a bad deal.
If streaming isn’t an option, you can watch NBC’s Kentucky Derby coverage with an OTA antenna. Our Best Antennas for Cord-Cutters page outlines many great antennas to help you score local channels like NBC and FOX, which show Triple Crown races.
How to watch the Kentucky Derby FAQ
Can you watch the Kentucky Derby for free on Peacock?
No, you can’t watch the Kentucky Derby for free on Peacock. You’ll need one of Peacock’s premium subscription plans (starting at $4.99 a month) to stream live coverage from Churchill Downs.
Methodology
Our sports experts researched and tested the best ways to watch the Kentucky Derby. While we compared derby coverage across 13 popular TV services, we also examined alternate viewing options like Peacock, NBCSports.com, and the NBC Sports app. We based our final recommendations on pricing, ease of use, and Triple Crown coverage.
Check out our How We Rank page to learn more about our methods.
Disclaimer
Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
†Amazon.com price as of 4/3/23 10:30 a.m. CT. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. CableTV.com utilizes paid Amazon links.
Certain content that appears on this site comes from Amazon. This content is provided “as is” and is subject to change or removal at any time.
