Kentucky Derby 2019 Live online

2019 Kentucky Derby: Live blog, live updates, how to watch, stream, updated odds

Kentucky Derby 2019 Live

It's finally time to decide who's going to wear this year's garland of roses at Churchill Downs.

After much anticipation, the 2019 Kentucky Derby is here. A year after Justify conquered a muddy track to kick off his Triple Crown run, five-time Derby-winning trainer Bob Baffert is back with three favorites atop the field for the 145th running. And despite some rainy forecasts, the excitement is high to see whether anyone can top Baffert's contenders in Louisville.

With morning-line favorite Omaha Beach dropping out of the race with a breathing issue, Baffert's Game Winner headlines his trio of favored Thoroughbreds set to take the track on Saturday evening. Among the other candidates to take this year's world-famous race are Tacitus, who is trained by Hall of Famer Bill Mott; and Maximum Security, who won the Florida Derby.

Keep it locked right here for live coverage of Saturday's action, including the big race, which is set for a 6:50 p.m. ET post time:

2019 Kentucky Derby live blog

How to watch the Kentucky Derby

Date: Saturday, May 4
Post time: 6:50 p.m. ET
Location: Churchill Downs (Louisville, Kentucky)
TV: NBC
Stream: NBCSports.com, NBC Sports app, fuboTV (Try for free)

The 2019 Kentucky Derby is shaping up to be one of the more interesting races in recent years.

With odds-on favorite Omaha Beach scratched from the race on Wednesday and long-shot contender Haikal scratched early on Friday, the Derby will feature just 19 horses instead of the usual 20.

Replacing Omaha Beach as the favorite to win is Maximum Security at 9-2, he is followed by Tacitus and Improbable, both at 5-1 odds, and Game Winner at 6-1.

Check back for live updates on the final odds at the conclusion of the race. The 2019 Kentucky Derby will take place at 6:40 ET from Church Hill Downs on Saturday.

The 145th running of the Kentucky Derby is a few hours away. Gamblers and horse-racing fans alike are getting prepared. This year's field features 20 horses who will be competing for a largest-ever guaranteed purse of $3 million, an increase of $1 million from last year.

What time does the Kentucky Derby Start?

Held on the first Saturday in May, the Kentucky Derby is the a Grade I stakes race culminating a two-week Kentucky Derby festival. The Churchill Downs race day card begins at 12:45 p.m. Post time for the 145th Run for the Roses is 6:50 p.m.  All times eastern.

The Kentucky Derby – known as "the fastest two minutes in sports" – is the first race of the famed Triple Crown. The Preakness Stakes is set for the third Saturday in May. The final race, the Belmont Stakes, is held three weeks after the Preakness.