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Television, livestreaming, and radio coverage of horse racing ramps up later this week in preparation for the 151st Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve. The following week will mark the culmination of national attention directed at the sport as excitement builds for the Derby every day up to “the first Saturday in May,” but analysis of contenders’ workouts plus early handicapping shows are already underway via several outlets.

If you’re heading to the 151st running of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve, get ready for an experience like no other! Whether it’s your first time at Churchill Downs or you’re a seasoned Derby-goer, there’s always something new to learn. From essential planning tips to insider secrets, here are the top nine things to know before you attend America’s most iconic horse race.

1. Get to know who’s running in the big race.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Wednesday, April 16, 2025) – Churchill Downs announced today that GRAMMY®-nominated recording artist Grace Potter will perform the national anthem at the 151st Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve on Saturday, May 3, 2025.

Named for the first winner of Pimlico’s original race, the Preakness Stakes occupies a special place in the heart of the American turf. This 1 3/16-mile classic asks 3-year-olds to try a distance just a sixteenth of a mile shorter than the 1 ¼-mile Kentucky Derby, a test of their stamina, conditioning, and heart two weeks after the first jewel of the Triple Crown.

Tickets are now available for the 10TH annual America’s Best Racing (ABR) Pre-Preakness Party. In celebration of the 150th running of the Preakness Stakes, the ABR Pre-Preakness Party is set to be held on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at the Mt. Washington Tavern in Baltimore, Maryland.

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