Kentucky Derby 2016 Post Time: TV Schedule Weather Forecast for 142nd Race
The Kentucky Derby is the race that always goes on, regardless of the weather forecast—but don't think for a moment that weather isn't a huge factor in the annual event.
The 142nd running of the Kentucky Derby is scheduled for Saturday, May 7, with a post time of 6:34 p.m. ET, and it looks like a scorcher.
As of Friday evening, the weather forecast for Saturday in Louisville, Kentucky, calls for a high of 83 degrees and sunny skies, with some late showers possible overnight into Sunday, per AccuWeather.com.
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While that will mean a dry track, it will also mean above-average warmth for the horses and jockeys. Winds are also expected to be favorable for the race; per AccuWeather's Kevin Byrne, "Winds at the start of the race will be out of the west-southwest at 8-16 mph, which will be a tail wind for the horses and jockeys along the back stretch of the track."
Let's break down all the details on how to watch the "Most Exciting Two Minutes In Sports" and, additionally, which horses to watch.
How to Watch
When: Saturday, May 7
Where: Churchill Downs Racetrack, Louisville, Kentucky
TV: NBC
Post Time: 6:34 p.m. ET
Live Stream: NBC Sports Live Extra
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Nyquist
Nyquist—the favorite at 3-1 betting odds, per Odds Shark—drew post position No. 13 for the "Run for the Roses."
Per Odds Shark handicapper Mike Dempsey: "The betting favorite has won each of the last three editions of the race, Orb (5-1), California Chrome (5-2) and American Pharoah (5-2)."
However, a winner hasn't come out of post No. 13 since 2004, when Smarty Jones won from that starting position.
Nyquist—who, yes, is named after Red Wings forward Gustav Nyquist—is undefeated heading into the race, so it's easy to see why he's the favorite in betting odds.
Detroit Free Press columnist Jeff Seidel got the human Nyquist to comment on his equine namesake.
"I’m hoping he runs a good run and wins it,” said Gustav Nyquist. “He runs fast, I guess. He wins races. That’s a good thing for a horse."
Gun Runner
Gun Runner has dropped to 9-1 in betting odds, per Odds Shark, but history is on his side.
Gun Runner drew post position No. 5. Per Dempsey, the 5 post has been the best post position since 1900, as 13 winners have started in the 5 post.
The chestnut colt has been impressing heading into Saturday's race.
As Odds Shark wrote for Bleacher Report: "Gun Runner finished first in the Kentucky Derby point standings for qualifying races leading up to the fastest two minutes in sports with 151, winning four of five races he entered, including the Louisiana Derby on March 26."
The three-year-old has speed on his side and appears to be generating more buzz than even favorite Nyquist.
Trainer Steve Asmussen said Gun Runner has "tactical" speed, which is especially crucial when it comes to the break, per Jonathan Lintner of the Courier-Journal.
Mohaymen
At 8-1 odds, per Odds Shark, Mohaymen is another horse who is poised to win the roses in this incredibly close playing field.
Mohaymen had a strong start at his first workout drill at Churchill Downs, and the odds reflect that.
According to Dempsey, Mohaymen worked four furlongs in 46 4/5 seconds, the best of 27 working that distance.
“That gave me goosebumps," assistant trainer Neal McLaughlin said, per Dempsey. "That was a 'wow' breeze."
The gray colt shares a bloodline with Secretariat.
As reported by the Associated Press (h/t the Daily Courier), trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said Mohaymen has had "only two bad minutes in his entire life," and he doesn't think the colt's fourth-place finish in the Florida Derby lowers his chances of winning the Kentucky Derby.
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