Kentucky Derby 2016 Post Time: Start Time, Schedule and More for 142nd Race
One of the most storied traditions in North American sports is just days away with the 142nd running of the Kentucky Derby on Saturday.
Horses will race to take the first step toward racing immortality that is the Triple Crown, one that gained a new member last year in American Pharoah.
For those who can't get enough of the action at Churchill Downs, they don't have to wait until the post time on Saturday to watch some of the competitors that will be captivating the nation for a few minutes.
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Here is the upcoming schedule for the Derby:
| Wednesday, May 4 | Derby Draw | 5:30 p.m. | NBCSN | NBC Sports Live Extra |
| Thursday, May 5 | Workouts | 8 a.m. | None | TwinSpires.com |
| Friday, May 6 | Workouts | 8 a.m. | None | TwinSpires.com |
| Saturday, May 7 | Prep Races | 12 p.m. | NBCSN | NBC Sports Live Extra |
| Saturday, May 7 | 142nd Kentucky Derby | 6:34 p.m. | NBC | NBC Sports Live Extra |
There are 20 horses set to enter the starting gates at the Kentucky Derby this year, where the post positions will be figured out with Wednesday night's draw.
Vegas has already come out with its odds for most of the field regardless of start position, via OddsShark.com:
| Gun Runner | Steven M. Asmussen | Florent Geroux | 10-1 |
| Nyquist | Doug F. O'Neill | Mario Gutierrez | 333-100 |
| Exaggerator | J. Keith Desormeaux | Kent J. Desormeaux | 8-1 |
| Outwork | Todd A. Pletcher | John R. Velazquez | 20-1 |
| Brody's Cause | Dale L. Romans | Luis Saez | 12-1 |
| Creator | Steven M. Asmussen | Ricardo Santana Jr. | 20-1 |
| Lani | Mikio Matsunaga | N/A | 30-1 |
| Mor Spirit | Bob Baffert | Gary L. Stevens | 18-1 |
| Mohaymen | Kiaran P. McLaughlin | Junior Alvarado | 8-1 |
| Danzing Candy | Clifford W. Sise Jr. | Mike E. Smith | 25-1 |
| Destin | Todd A. Pletcher | Javier Castellano | 14-1 |
| Suddenbreakingnews | Donnie K. Von Hemel | Luis Quinonez | 16-1 |
| Oscar Nominated | Michael J. Maker | Robby Albarado | N/A |
| Shagaf | Chad C. Brown | Irad Ortiz Jr. | 25-1 |
| Whitmore | Ron Moquett | Victor Espinoza | 50-1 |
| Tom's Ready | Dallas Stewart | Brian Hernandez Jr. | 50-1 |
| My Man Sam | Chad C. Brown | Julien R. Leparoux | 25-1 |
| Majesto | Gustavo Delgado | Javier Castellano | N/A |
| Trojan Nation | Patrick Gallagher | Aaron T. Gryder | N/A |
| Mo Tom | Thomas M. Amoss | Corey J. Lanerie | 16-1 |
All Eyes On Nyquist
Nyquist has been the favorite to take the 142nd Kentucky Derby simply because he hasn't lost in his life. In seven career races, he's won all seven, most of them coming in convincing fashion.
His most recent triumph came at the Florida Derby, which established him as the favorite heading into the Kentucky Derby. It was a wire-to-wire victory where he simply overpowered the likes of Kentucky Derby contenders Mohaymen and Majesto:
Performances like that have drawn the praise of American Pharoah's trainer Bob Baffert, who also is training Mor Spirit for this year's Derby.
"He hasn't done anything wrong at all," Baffert told the Associated Press, via USA Today. "You have Nyquist and you have a lot of horses underneath."
Nyquist has shown throughout his young career that he can run as perfect a race as possible. He's quick out of the gates, with fantastic stamina that allows him to maintain his powerful speeds over long distances.
With that kind of makeup, it doesn't necessarily matter what post he'll get, though he will be tested more if he gets an outside post.
Regardless, he'll be the horse to beat and it will take a special horse and a special run to take him down.
Stats courtesy of Equibase.com
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