when does the kentucky derby start

The Kentucky Derby 2025 is scheduled to start at approximately 6:57 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on Saturday, May 3, 2025. The event takes place at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Coverage of the race typically begins earlier in the day, with gates opening at 9 a.m. ET and the first post at 11 a.m. ET. The televised coverage on NBC runs from 2:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. ET. So, the main Kentucky Derby race start time is 6:57 p.m. ET on May 3, 2025.