Kentucky Derby Start Time 2015: NBC TV Schedule, Live Stream Info and Picks

There will be plenty of marquee sports headlines Saturday, but only one event can claim to be the fastest two minutes in sports.

Much like Opening Day in baseball, the 141st Kentucky Derby is where dreams are born. One horse will capture the imagination of the nation under racing’s brightest lights and inspire dreams of the first Triple Crown since Affirmed accomplished the feat in 1978.

California Chrome almost pulled it off last year but ultimately fell short at the Belmont Stakes after winning the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes. 

Perhaps someone in this year’s field will take the final step that California Chrome could not, but it all starts at Churchill Downs. Here is a look at the broadcast information and some predictions for the top-three finishers.

141st Kentucky Derby

Date: Saturday, May 2

Time: Coverage from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. ET

TV: NBC

Live Stream: NBC Sports Extra

Predicted Top-Three Finishers

American Pharoah

Danny Johnston/Associated Press

No contender in this year’s field made a louder statement leading up to Churchill Downs than American Pharoah did at the Arkansas Derby.

Not only did American Pharoah win, he destroyed the competition by eight lengths. He established an early lead and never looked back down the stretch. After that performance, he appeared set to be the Kentucky Derby favorite.

It was easy to envision glimpses of California Chrome during that run, considering jockey Victor Espinoza is riding American Pharoah. Espinoza led California Chrome to last year’s Kentucky Derby and Preakness victories and certainly understands what it takes to win on this stage.

He discussed how dominant of a racer American Pharoah is, per Tim Wilkin of the Albany Times Union:

Considering what Espinoza did last year, those quotes alone should turn some heads.

In addition to the Arkansas Derby victory, American Pharoah took home titles at notable races at the Rebel at Oaklawn Park in March and the FrontRunner at Santa Anita Park in September. Throw in the fact that Bob Baffert (who won the Kentucky Derby in 1997, 1998 and 2002) is the trainer, and it is hard to argue against American Pharoah as a potential winner.

Danny Johnston/Associated Press

Baffert has put 24 horses in the Kentucky Derby leading up to the 2015 edition and has three Eclipse Awards for outstanding trainers.

American Pharoah is red-hot, dominated the field at the Arkansas Derby and has Baffert and Espinoza in his corner. Best of luck beating that combination.

Dortmund

If there is a horse that could contend with American Pharoah in this field, it is probably Dortmund.

Before the Arkansas Derby showing from American Pharoah, Dortmund was considered the favorite to win the Kentucky Derby in many circles. In fact, Dortmund has never lost a graded stakes race and was sired by Big Brown, who won the Kentucky Derby and Preakness in 2008.

Dortmund's resume is about more than just the impressive pedigree, though. He took home the Santa Anita Derby in April, the San Felipe in March, the Robert B. Lewis Stakes in February and the Los Alamitos Futurity in December. It is hard to argue with those results, especially since Dortmund has never experienced defeat in graded stakes races.

One more thing—Baffert is the trainer for Dortmund as well.

Uncredited/Associated Press

Despite the undefeated streak, Averie Levanti of Horse Racing Nation believes American Pharoah will win based on the Arkansas Derby result:

"

American Pharoah is heading into the Derby as the possible favorite following his 8-length romp in the Arkansas Derby. Prior to this race I was wary to say I believed he had a chance to defeat Dortmund, but seeing the mind boggling ease in which he demolished the rest of the field flipped a switch in my mind. American Pharoah was able to sit just off the lead and stalk the pace for the first time in a stakes race and proved he can still crush opposition when sitting off of the lead. 

"

Dortmund has proved himself on a consistent basis, but it is impossible to ignore that performance by American Pharoah.

He destroyed the field and looked nearly unbeatable from the opening paces. Both racers are strong contenders with the same trainer, but American Pharoah will prove too powerful down the stretch run after establishing the initial lead. 

Prediction: American Pharoah wins, with Dortmund finishing in second place.

Carpe Diem

While American Pharoah and Dortmund will thrill fans with a head-to-head race for the finish line, Carpe Diem will take home third place.

Carpe Diem has an impressive resume of his own with victories at the Blue Grass Stakes in Keeneland in April, the Tampa Bay Derby in March and the Breeders Halter Futurity at Keeneland in October. He is a legitimate threat for the American Pharoah and Dortmund pairing atop the race and will be in contention the majority of the way.

What’s more, John Velazquez will jockey Carpe Diem.

Velazquez has three Triple Crown and 11 Breeders' Cup race victories during his illustrious career and also understands what it takes to compete on a stage like Churchill Downs. While it won’t ultimately be enough to hold off American Pharoah and Dortmund, it will be enough for a third-place finish.