Kentucky Derby 2018: Race Schedule and Predictions for Top Contenders

The annual Run for the Roses is back again for another edition of one of horse racing's biggest events.

The first Triple Crown race of the year, the Kentucky Derby will once again take place at the famous Churchill Downs track, featuring a field of 20 horses vying for a purse of $2 million. 

Here's a quick look at the basic information you need to know ahead of time so you don't miss out on any of the festivities:

2018 Kentucky Derby

When: Saturday, May 5

Post time: 6:50 p.m. ET 

TV: NBC

Stream: NBC Sports

Horses to Watch 

Justify 

Eclipse Sportswire/Getty Images

It's not hard to justify (no pun intended) why Justify should be a favorite heading into this year's race.

The Scat Daddy colt and product of trainer of Bob Baffert had a strong showing during Churchill Downs workouts over the past couple of days, clocking in at 1:13 over six furlongs. 

"He did his thing," Baffert said, per The Blood-Horse. "He's a superior racehorse. He does things easy."

Making things look easy, Justify won't have to do much in terms of working out in the lead up to the Kentucky Derby.

After all, the three-year-old colt has plenty of hype surrounding him as Baffert seeks his fifth win at the Kentucky Derby—his first since sweeping the Triple Crown in 2015 with American Pharoah.

Bet on Justify to be in the running for a Triple Crown with a win at Churchill Downs. 

Magnum Moon 

Eclipse Sportswire/Getty Images

In addition to Justify, another name to remember moving forward is Magnum Moon, the son of Malibu Moon.

Unbeaten in four starts, the young colt has impressed since his start in January but at times has shown a lack of maturity on the course.

In fact, trainer Todd Pletcher said after victory at the Arkansas Derby on April 14 he was worried Magnum Moon wasn't completely focused down the stretch, per The Blood-Horse:

"I thought (his race) was very good. Very pleased with the outcome. (I was) a little concerned that he drifted out the last part, but it looked like he sort of halfway thought about jumping over the tire marks when he went by the eighth pole where the gate was and sort of skipped over those.

"I think he was maybe just drifting away from that. Aside from that, I thought he finished with good energy and was pulling away from some nice horses."

If Magnum Moon can find his form at the Kentucky Derby, he can give any horse—even Justify—a run for their money. Look for him to finish in the top five.