Kentucky Derby 2018: Post Time, Race Schedule and Latest Prize Money Info

The 2018 Kentucky Derby takes place on Saturday and once again promises to be another thrilling race at Churchill Downs in Louisville.

Saturday's race is the first leg of the Triple Crown, which is completed by the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes.

The 20 contenders will be aiming for a share of the $2 million purse, with the winner set to take home a cool $1.24 million, according to Sporting News.

2018 Kentucky Derby Details

Date: Saturday, May 5

Post Time: 6:34 p.m. ET / 11:34 p.m. BST

TV: NBC

Live Stream:  NBC Sports Live

Justify

Justify is a strong contender to win on Saturday but will need to break the famous Curse of Apollo if he is to take glory. The colt did not compete in the Run for the Roses as a two-year-old, and the only horse to have ever won the Kentucky Derby without racing at that age was Apollo back in 1882.

Trainer Bob Baffert was in confident mood in the buildup to the race, as XBTV showed:

Justify won the Santa Anita Derby, beating Bolt d'Oro by three ½ lengths, and he has the speed and quality to take top spot at Churchill Downs.

Magnum Moon

Magnum Moon is another contender who did not race at Churchill Downs as a two-year-old, but the Arkansas Derby winner will still fancy his chances on Saturday.

Kentucky Derby's Twitter account showed how he is shaping up:

Magnum Moon has won all four of his career starts, although a small drift toward the centre of the track during his Arkansas Derby win may be a little cause of concern.

Mendelssohn

Ryan Moore will ride Mendelssohn at the Kentucky Derby and hope to replicate their success at the UAE Derby, where they romped to victory and set a track record in the process.

The win in Dubai was his third consecutive victory and means that owner Aidan O'Brien will be optimistic Mendelssohn can win in Kentucky.

The colt has demonstrated great acceleration and speed, and a win would see him become the first horse shipping in from Europe to win the Kentucky Derby.