Kentucky Derby Start Time: Your Complete Guide to Beginning of Classic Race

The 139th running of the Kentucky Derby is finally almost upon us. The most famous, and most watched, horse race in the country returns to our lives this afternoon at approximately 6:24 p.m.

But there's much more to the production than that. NBC was honored with an Eclipse Award in the Television-Live Racing Programming category for its 2012 production of the event. And in 2013, it looks to follow up that strong effort by bring us more of what we want, when we want it.

Derby-related coverage is airing from nearly dawn until dusk on Saturday, insuring us of a day filled with plenty of high-speed action.

Here's a look at the schedule, the booth and the key storyline to watch out for.

Viewing Schedule:

11 a.m. - 4 p.m. – Kentucky Derby Prep (NBCSN)

Is one race not enough to slake your equestrian thirst? NBC Sports Network has got you covered.

Much like an undercard in boxing or UFC, the Kentucky Derby is preceded by prep races—lower-stake runs on the fabled Churchill grounds. And this year, you can watch them.

4 p.m. - 7 p.m. – The 139th Kentucky Derby (NBC)

At 4 p.m., the real show gets started back on NBC. Hours of pregame, buildup, interviews and exclusives before the main event.

Post time for the running of the Derby is 6:24 p.m. (h/t Examiner).

7 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. – Kentucky Derby Post Show (NBCSN)

Didn't get enough postgame by 7 p.m. on NBC? Flip back to NBCSN for an extra 30 minutes of breaking down the Run for the Roses in excruciating detail.

Primary Broadcast Team:

Co-host: Bob Costas

Co-host: Tom Hammond

Analyst: Randy Moss

Analyst: Jerry Bailey

Analyst/Handicappers: Mike Battaglia and Bob Neumeier

What a booth, right? Bob Costas, owner of 24 well-deserved Emmys, is probably the best in the game—a perfect audible beacon for the Derby. He's been calling it for NBC since 2001 and will be flanked by veteran horse-caster Tom Hammond in the booth.

And no, that's no the Randy Moss analyzing horses for NBC Sports (though he's no stranger to Colts). It's longtime racing aficionado Randy Moss, and he's joined by Hall of Fame jockey and two-time Derby winner Jerry Bailey.

We're spending three whole hours with these guys, most of which is spent mulling around rather than racing. It's vital to have a good team, guys you want to invite into your home for that stretch of time. NBC appears to have just that.

Key Storyline to Watch

It's been a week of broken glass ceilings. Jason Collins came out as the first active gay athlete in the four major sports, and at Churchill Downs, Kevin Krigger and Rosie Napravnik will try to shatter similar molds.

Krigger is attempting to become the first African-American jockey to win the race while Napravinik is jockeying to become the first female. The former is riding an illustrious horse named Goldencents, one of the race's biggest favorites at 5-1. Napravanik is a bit more of a long shot—her steed, Mylute, is currently 15-1.

Still, both Krigger and Napravinik have legitimate shots to shatter a glass ceiling at the Derby. They're both uber-talented riders, and they have the horsepower to get there.

Look for plenty of speculation and eavesdropping on their happenings as we lead up to the race. And, if by some goodly twist of fate, one of them does end up with the roses, look for an immense amount of coverage the following day.