The 152nd Kentucky Derby is this weekend in Louisville, Kentucky, and while “America’s Race,” as it’s often called, is the most famous thoroughbred race in the United States, there is so much more than the two minutes it takes to “Run for the Roses.”
From over-the-top fashion to prerace traditions, sights and sounds at venerable Churchill Downs to how a horse gets its name, even casual sports fans turn in to watch the “Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports” or the “Fastest Two Minutes in Sports.”
For example, a horse co-owned by the late country singer Toby Keith participated in last year’s race.
“Keith, who died of cancer in February 2024, was a longtime horse racing enthusiast,” the Deseret News previously reported.
In 2010, Disney released a film about the Triple Crown winner Secretariat, who achieved the feat more than 50 years ago. Only four horses have accomplished the task since.
And speaking of “Big Red,” NBC reported that 19 of the 20 horses competing in this year’s Derby have Secretariat in their bloodline.
The legendary horse died in 1989.
How to watch the Kentucky Derby
The Kentucky Derby, held at the Churchill Downs racetrack in Louisville, will begin at 4:57 p.m. MDT on Saturday.
TV coverage will begin at 12:30 p.m. MDT on NBC. Peacock will have even earlier coverage beginning at 10 a.m. MDT.
In a very wet and muddy race last year, Sovereignty took first with an official winning time of 2:02.31.
This year’s race preview
According to ESPN, Renegade, ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr., is the favorite to win the race this year. The winner will receive $3.1 million.
Twenty horses are set to compete, including one that lived and trained in Hurricane, Utah.
Pavlovian, a Washington County product
Pavlovian was first trained by former University of Utah football player John Brocklebank of Red Cliffs Racing, according to news accounts.
In the late 1970s, Brocklebank decided to drop football for horse racing after visiting the Draper Arena and quickly falling in love with the sport.
Brocklebank first discovered Pavlovian in November 2024, according to Fox 13. He and his wife both knew the horse was special.
Brother Derek, circa 2006
Ironically, this isn’t the first time one of Brocklebank’s horses has raced in the Derby.
In the early to mid-2000s, Brocklebank sold and trained horses with a man named Craig Tillotson.
In 2006, they sent their horse, Brother Derek, to Louisville for the big race. He was named after Tillotson’s son, who was then serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Armenia.
The horse finished just outside the top three.
10 career starts
Notably, Pavlovian is the most experienced horse to compete in the Kentucky Derby since California Chrome in 2014, according to Horse Racing Nation.
Pavlovian is trained by Doug O’Neill, owned by John Reddam, and ridden by Edwin Maldonado, a native of Puerto Rico.
In eight attempts, O’Neill has won the Kentucky Derby twice; I’ll Have Another in 2012, and Nyquist in 2016, according to El Paso Times.
Pavlovian has been given 30-1 odds to win the race on Saturday.
“Having 10 starts under his belt is definitely a plus,” O’Neill told reporters.
Here’s a video of the horse impatiently waiting his turn for some carrots.
How do horses get their names?
Believe it or not, there’s actually strict criteria for naming a horse.
Some, but not all, of the requirements include the following:
Names cannot exceed 18 characters, including spaces and punctuation. Initials are not permitted.
A horse’s name cannot include horse-related terms like filly, colt, stud, mare or stallion.
Additionally, “a foal must be registered with the Jockey Club within 12 months of birth, but does not require a name until Feb. 1 of their two-year old season,” according to the Kentucky Derby website.
Names of living persons are prohibited unless permission is given by the Jockey Club.
If you’re wondering what your horse name might be, you’re in luck. The official Kentucky Derby X (formerly Twitter) account posted this:
What’s the dress code?
Attending the Kentucky Derby isn’t the same as going to any old ballgame. Attendees go all out with their fashion choices.
Certain areas of the venue have specific dress codes. In one word, the dress code can be characterized as elegant.
“Think bright colors and bold patterns,” NBC Sports says.
The Derby released an official style guide on its website, with recommendations for both men and women.
The website says, “There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to Derby dressing ... but the same rule goes for everyone in attendance: dress to impress.”
If there were rules, wearing a hat might be one of them.
“You can’t come to Derby without a hat,” the style guide says.
Men are advised to wear tropical colors or bold stripes. Blazers are certainly a staple piece for attendees.
For women, according to the Derby’s website, skirt suits are expected to make a comeback. Crayola colors like purple, lime, orange, scarlet and violet are recommended.
With it being an all day affair, comfortable, yet classy shoes are viewed as essential.
There are multiple Pinterest boards online to look through for inspiration.
Casual attire is highly discouraged.