Kentucky Derby 2018 Post Time: Race Schedule, Live-Stream and NBC TV Info

The 144th running of the Kentucky Derby will take place on Saturday, May 5, as one of the deepest fields in years battles it out for the first leg of the Triple Crown.

NBC will carry full coverage of the day, starting at 2:30 p.m. ET (7:30 p.m. BST). Post time will be at 6:46 p.m. ET (11:46 p.m. ET). Live-stream options will be available through NBC's Live Extra service.

Here are some of the runners to keep an eye on.

Mendelssohn

The top international runner is Mendelssohn, trained by the respected Irish trainer Aidan O'Brien. The colt started his career on turf before transitioning to dirt earlier this year with a dominant showing at the UAE Derby, winning by an astonishing 18 ½ lengths.

Top jockey Ryan Moore will be tasked with guiding Mendelssohn, foregoing the 2000 Guineas Stakes, one of the top races in Britain. Per O'Brien, it was an easy decision:

The colt has already won on American turf, taking first place in last year's Breeders' Cup Juvenile.

Mendelssohn doesn't have history on his side, however: In 12 tries, no UAE Derby winner has ever gone on to win the Derby or even finished on the podium.

Bolt d'Oro

Good Magic and Bolt d'Oro were the two runners who showed the best form in 2017, and the latter has sat at or near the top of the board for many oddsmakers in the past few months.

He'll be under Victor Espinoza at Churchill Downs―the same jockey who worked with California Chrome and American Pharoah―and has impressed with his work leading up to the race.

He was soundly beaten by Justify in the Santa Anita Derby, however:

That defeat should slot him behind Justify with the oddsmakers.

Justify

Speaking of Justify: With three dominant wins in three career starts, the colt is expected to start the Derby as the odds-on favourite.

Justify appears to have everything one could ask for in a Derby contender, combining blistering raw speed and great stamina with an effortless stride. There's just one major thing he lacks: a resume as a two-year-old.

No horse has won the Run for the Roses without racing as a two-year-old since Apollo in 1882. Justify and Magnum Moon, another major contender, will try to end that streak, but they'll face an enormous challenge.

Other top contenders: Audible, Good Magic, My Boy Jack