Planning a trip to Churchill Downs for the Kentucky Derby? Knowing What Is The Time In Kentucky is crucial for enjoying this iconic event. Beyond just the current time, understanding the event schedule, security protocols, and permitted items will ensure a smooth and memorable experience. Let’s dive into the details to help you make the most of your Kentucky Derby weekend.
Security Information: Know Before You Go
Before heading to the track for Kentucky Derby weekend, it’s essential to review the security guidelines. This information will help you avoid any delays or inconveniences upon arrival.
All attendees will undergo metal detector scans at the entrance throughout Derby Week, from Opening Night to Derby Day. Arriving early is highly recommended, especially on Oaks and Derby days, to accommodate the security procedures.
Any prohibited items must be returned to your vehicle or discarded. Churchill Downs is not responsible for items left at the entrances. Remember, re-entry is not permitted, so ensure you have everything you need before entering.
Security checkpoint at Churchill Downs ensuring the safety of all attendees.
If you notice anything unusual, immediately report it to the security hotline at 502-636-4526. “If you see something, say something.”
Please note that the permitted and prohibited items list is subject to change, and any item deemed inappropriate or unsafe can be denied entry at any time.
Kentucky Derby Week Bag Policy
A restricted bag policy will be in effect from Saturday, April 27th, 2024, through Derby Day, Saturday, May 4th, 2024. Each guest is allowed one bag no larger than 12″ x 6″ x 12″.
Prohibited Items List for Derby Week
The following items are not allowed inside Churchill Downs during Derby Week:
- Air Horns
- Alcoholic beverages
- Backpacks
- Bags larger than 12″ x 6″ x 12″
- Balloons and inflatables
- Balls
- Banners and/or signs, unless pre-approved
- Cameras with detachable lenses or lenses 6” or larger
- Canopies
- Cans (any size or type)
- Chairs (collapsible, with or without canopies, with Infield Gate exceptions)
- Chains
- Confetti
- Coolers
- Duffel Bags
- Drones and remote-controlled aircraft
- Firearms
- Fireworks
- Food (Opening Night — Thurby) *see exceptions
- Frisbees
- Glass Bottles or containers
- Grills
- Hoverboards, skateboards, and scooters
- Illegal Substances
- Knives
- Laser lights/pointers
- Luggage
- Mace
- Noise Makers
- Pepper Spray
- Personal music players without headphones
- Pets (except trained service animals)
- Poles or sticks of any size
- Portable speakers/sound systems
- Projectile Items
- Seat Cushions larger than 15″ X 15″ with metal, zippers, pockets, or flaps
- Selfie Sticks
- Tents
- Thermoses
- Tripods
- Umbrellas of any size
- Wagons
- Weapons of any kind
- Any items deemed dangerous and/or inappropriate
Notable Exceptions
Certain items are allowed under specific conditions:
Frontside Gates:
- Baby and Diaper bags accompanied by a child (subject to search)
- Strollers accompanied by a child
Kentucky Oaks & Derby:
- Guests with specific dietary needs can bring boxed lunches or food items in clear plastic bags or containers that do not exceed the maximum size (12″ X 6″ X 12″). Food must fit in the bag or a one-gallon clear Ziploc-style storage bag (no trash bags). Only one bag is permitted.
Infield Gate:
- Boxed lunches or food items in clear plastic bags or containers (12″ X 6″ X 12″ max).
- Sealed, clear, unopened plastic bottles of water (limit two 24 oz. bottles per person).
- Collapsible camping chairs without canopies (must be removed from the bag during search).
- Tarpaulins (“Tarps”) and Picnic Blankets smaller than 10’ x 10’ (tarps cannot be secured to the fence).
Fans gather at Churchill Downs to witness the excitement of the Kentucky Derby.
Electronic items might be required to be turned on for inspection.
Gates & Post Times: Planning Your Day
Understanding the post times for each race day is crucial for planning your visit. Here is a breakdown of the schedule for Derby Week 2025:
Opening Night | Saturday, April 26
| Race | Post Time | Wagering |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5:00 PM | WPS EX TRI SUPER SH5 DD P3 P5 |
| 2 | 5:28 PM | WPS EX TRI SUPER SH5 DD P3 P4 |
| 3 | 5:56 PM | WPS EX TRI SUPER SH5 DD P3 P5 |
| 4 | 6:26 PM | WPS EX TRI SUPER SH5 DD P3 P4 |
| 5 | 6:57 PM | WPS EX TRI SUPER SH5 DD P3 DC6 Kentucky Oaks & Derby Post Position Draw |
| 6 | 8:04 PM | WPS EX TRI SUPER SH5 DD P3 P5 |
| 7 | 8:37 PM | WPS EX TRI SUPER SH5 DD P3 P4 |
| 8 | 9:09 PM | WPS EX TRI SUPER SH5 DD P3 |
| 9 | 9:40 PM | WPS EX TRI SUPER SH5 DD |
| 10 | 10:10 PM | WPS EX TRI SUPER SH5 |
502’sDay | Tuesday, April 29
| Race | Post Time | Wagering |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 12:45 PM | WPS EX TRI SUPER SH5 DD P3 P5 |
| 2 | 1:14 PM | WPS EX TRI SUPER SH5 DD P3 P4 |
| 3 | 1:43 PM | WPS EX TRI SUPER SH5 DD P3 P5 |
| 4 | 2:13 PM | WPS EX TRI SUPER SH5 DD P3 DC6 |
| 5 | 2:45 PM | WPS EX TRI SUPER SH5 DD P3 P5 |
| 6 | 3:18 PM | WPS EX TRI SUPER SH5 DD P3 P4 |
| 7 | 3:50 PM | WPS EX TRI SUPER SH5 DD P3 |
| 8 | 4:22 PM | WPS EX TRI SUPER SH5 DD |
| 9 | 4:55 PM | WPS EX TRI SUPER SH5 |
Winsday | Wednesday, April 30
| Race | Post Time | Wagering |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 12:45 PM | WPS EX TRI SUPER SH5 DD P3 P5 |
| 2 | 1:15 PM | WPS EX TRI SUPER SH5 DD P3 P4 |
| 3 | 1:45 PM | WPS EX TRI SUPER SH5 DD P3 P5 |
| 4 | 2:15 PM | WPS EX TRI SUPER SH5 DD P3 P4 |
| 5 | 2:45 PM | WPS EX TRI SUPER SH5 DD P3 DC6 |
| 6 | 3:16 PM | WPS EX TRI SUPER SH5 DD P3 P5 |
| 7 | 3:47 PM | WPS EX TRI SUPER SH5 DD P3 P4 |
| 8 | 4:19 PM | WPS EX TRI SUPER SH5 DD P3 |
| 9 | 4:52 PM | WPS EX TRI SUPER SH5 DD |
| 10 | 5:25 PM | WPS EX TRI SUPER SH5 |
Thurby | Thursday, May 1
| Race | Post Time | Wagering |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 12:45 PM | WPS EX TRI SUPER SH5 DD P3 P5 |
| 2 | 1:15 PM | WPS EX TRI SUPER SH5 DD P3 P4 |
| 3 | 1:45 PM | WPS EX TRI SUPER SH5 DD P3 |
| 4 | 2:17 PM | WPS EX TRI SUPER SH5 DD P3 P5 |
| 5 | 2:52 PM | WPS EX TRI SUPER SH5 DD P3 P4 |
| 6 | 3:27 PM | WPS EX TRI SUPER SH5 DD P3 P5 |
| 7 | 4:03 PM | WPS EX TRI SUPER SH5 DD P3 DC6 |
| 8 | 4:38 PM | WPS EX TRI SUPER SH5 DD P3 P5 |
| 9 | 5:13 PM | WPS EX TRI SUPER SH5 DD P3 P4 |
| 10 | 5:47 PM | WPS EX TRI SUPER SH5 DD P3 |
| 11 | 6:18 PM | WPS EX TRI SUPER SH5 DD |
| 12 | 6:47 PM | WPS EX TRI SUPER SH5 |
KENTUCKY OAKS | FRIDAY, May 2
| Race | Post Time | Wagering |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 11:00 AM | WPS EX TRI SUPER SH5 DD P3 P5 |
| 2 | 11:29 AM | WPS EX TRI SUPER SH5 DD P3 P4 |
| 3 | 11:58 AM | WPS EX TRI SUPER SH5 DD P3 P5 |
| 4 | 12:29 PM | WPS EX TRI SUPER SH5 DD P3 P4 |
| 5 | 1:04 PM | WPS EX TRI SUPER SH5 DD P3 P5 |
| 6 | 1:44 PM | WPS EX TRI SUPER SH5 DD P3 DC6 |
| 7 | 2:25 PM | WPS EX TRI SUPER SH5 DD P3 P5 |
| 8 | 3:15 PM | WPS EX TRI SUPER SH5 DD P3 P4 |
| 9 | 4:11 PM | WPS EX TRI SUPER SH5 DD P3 P5 (Two-Day $1 P6) |
| 10 | 4:56 PM | WPS EX TRI SUPER SH5 DD P3 P4 |
| 11 | 5:51 PM | WPS EX TRI SUPER SH5 P3 (O/D-DBL) (O/OF/D-P3) (Longines Kentucky Oaks) |
| 12 | 6:27 PM | WPS EX TRI SUPER SH5 DD |
| 13 | 7:02 PM | WPS EX TRI SUPER SH5 |
KENTUCKY DERBY | SATURDAY, May 3
| Race | Post Time | Wagering |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 11:00 AM | WPS EX TRI SUPER SH5 DD P3 P5 |
| 2 | 11:32 AM | WPS EX TRI SUPER SH5 DD P3 P4 |
| 3 | 12:05 AM | WPS EX TRI SUPER SH5 DD P3 P5 |
| 4 | 12:38 PM | WPS EX TRI SUPER SH5 DD P3 P4 (All Stakes, All Dirt P5) |
| 5 | 1:12 PM | WPS EX TRI SUPER SH5 DD P3 P5 |
| 6 | 1:53 PM | WPS EX TRI SUPER SH5 DD P3 P4 |
| 7 | 2:38 PM | WPS EX TRI SUPER SH5 DD P3 DC6 |
| 8 | 3:23 PM | WPS EX TRI SUPER SH5 DD P3 P5 |
| 9 | 4:06 PM | WPS EX TRI SUPER SH5 DD P3 P4 |
| 10 | 4:50 PM | WPS EX TRI SUPER SH5 DD P3 P5 |
| 11 | 5:39 PM | WPS EX TRI SUPER SH5 DD P3 P4 (Old Forester Turf Classic) |
| 12 | 6:57 PM | WPS EX TRI SUPER SH5 DD P3 (KY Derby presented by Woodford Reserve) |
| 13 | 8:00 PM | WPS EX TRI SUPER SH5 DD |
| 14 | 8:33 PM | WPS EX TRI SUPER SH5 |
Knowing the post times will allow you to strategically plan your day and ensure you don’t miss any of the action.
Wagering Information
Understanding the wagering options available can enhance your experience. Here are the minimums:
- Win, Place, Show: $2
- Exacta: $2 ($1 Box & Wheels)
- Daily Double, Super High-5: $1
- Trifecta, Pick-3, Pick-4 and Pick-5: $0.50
- Superfecta: $0.10 ($1 Oaks & Derby Days)
- Derby City-6: $0.20
- Two-Day Pick-6: $1 (separate event from the regular Oaks Day card)
Multiple wagers with placement determined when race cards are set will also be available during Derby weekend. These include:
- Oaks Day: Two-Day $1 Pick 6
- Derby Day: All Stakes, All Dirt Pick 5 ($0.50 minimum) | All 3 YO Pick 3 (American Turf, Pat Day Mile & Kentucky Derby) ($3 minimum)
Conclusion
Attending the Kentucky Derby is an unforgettable experience. By knowing what is the time in Kentucky, understanding the security measures, permitted items, and race schedules, you can ensure a smooth and enjoyable visit to Churchill Downs. Remember to arrive early, adhere to the bag policy, and report any suspicious activity. Enjoy the races!
