FULL GUIDE: Everything you need to know for Kentucky Oaks and Derby 151

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) - WAVE News is your home for complete coverage of the 151st Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby on Friday and Saturday.

Here’s your one-stop guide for everything you need to know about all the exciting race day coverage:

When does WAVE’s coverage start and how long does it last?

For Oaks Day on Friday, WAVE’s coverage begins at 10 a.m. We’ll be on all day until 7:30 p.m.

For Derby Day, we’ll begin coverage at 8 a.m. and will continue local coverage until 3:30 p.m. NBC will then take over with national coverage of the Kentucky Derby, you won’t have to change the channel!

NBC coverage will continue through 7:30 p.m., and WAVE will be back on for a Derby Day wrap-up.

I’m not near a TV, can I still watch?

You certainly can! We’ll be streaming our coverage on WAVE’s streaming platforms, including our website, our apps on phones/tablets and smart TVs.

On Saturday, once coverage switches to NBC, you will need to login to NBC’s website or the NBC app using your cable/satellite provider account to continue watching live without a TV.

Viewers can also watch live NBC coverage through a subscription to the Peacock streaming service.

Click or tap here to download our app.

NOTE: Streaming of Kentucky Oaks and Derby coverage will not be available on our social media platforms due to rights issues.

Do you know who will be racing and when?

Our friends at Churchill Downs have a complete list of races and times for both Oaks and Derby right here.

We’ll also post the big winners for the Kentucky Oaks and Derby soon after they are confirmed. Keep the WAVE app nearby!

POST POSITIONS

THE KENTUCKY OAKS

Early On
Simply Joking
Fondly
Drexel Hill
Quickick
Ballerina D’oro
La Cara
Five G - SCRATCHED
Tenma
Take Charge Milady
Good Cheer
Anna’s Promise
Bless the Broken
Quietside

THE KENTUCKY DERBY

Citizen Bull
Neoequos
Final Gambit
Rodriguez
American Promise
Admire Daytona
Luxor Cafe
Journalism
Burnham Square
Grande
Flying Mohawk
East Avenue
Publisher
Tiztastic
Render Judgement
Coal Battle
Sandman
Sovereignty
Chunk of Gold
Owen Almighty

Will you be showing all the races live?

For Oaks Day, we’ll be showing Race 1 through Race 4 live, starting around 11 a.m. and running through 12:30 p.m.

Due to an agreement with NBC Sports, Race 5 through Race 11 will be shown on WAVE News following a 20-minute delay, starting from 1:03 p.m. and ending around 6 p.m. This includes the running of the Kentucky Oaks (Race 11).

To watch these races live as they happen, you will need to tune into the USA Network or login to the USA Network website or app using a cable/satellite provider.

Viewers will also be able to watch USA Network coverage through a subscription to the Peacock streaming service.

WAVE will have an article available on the website and app shortly after the Oaks race runs live that features the winner. To not spoil the race for our TV viewers, readers will have to click or tap into the article to see the winner until the race airs on delay on WAVE.

Our coverage will continue with live races on Oaks Day for Races 12 and 13, starting around 6 p.m. and running through the end of our broadcast.

On Derby Day, all races can be seen on WAVE through our local coverage or during NBC coverage. Local coverage will feature Race 1 through Race 6, starting around 11 a.m. running through 2 p.m.

NBC’s coverage will carry Race 7 through Race 12 (Kentucky Derby), running from 2:38 p.m. to around 7:30 p.m. These races will be live and can be seen without changing the channel.

You will need to login to NBC’s website or the NBC app using your cable/satellite provider account to continue watching live without a TV.

Viewers can also watch live NBC coverage through a subscription to the Peacock streaming service.

Is there anything else WAVE will be offering on Oaks and Derby?

We have plenty of updates coming your way not only on TV and streaming, but also through social media!

Make sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for fun stuff you won’t see anywhere else!

What’s the weather looking like?

Stay up to date with the WAVE Storm Tracking Team as they provide daily updates on what the weather is going to look like on Oaks and Derby day.

Latest Forecast

Where can I purchase tickets?

The easiest way to purchase general admission or reserved box tickets is through Ticketmaster. However, there are multiple ways to purchase tickets for groups as well as memberships.

Tickets are non-refundable, and all tickets are accessed digitally. During live race dates, the Clubhouse Box Office will open one hour prior to gates and close at the second to last race for that day. After the Box Office has closed, only customers with pre-purchased tickets and gate passes may enter the facility for the last race of the day. To purchase tickets on a non-race date:

I’m heading to the track, is there any traffic and parking information I should know about?

We’ve got you covered! Here is all the travel and parking information you’ll need to know before heading out to the track. Full List: Derby week road closures

Parking Instructions for Oaks and Derby Day

Onsite Parking

Onsite parking is sold out.
Lots open at 8 a.m. on Oaks and Derby days for those with passes.
Some tickets include parking (e.g., The Mansion, Spires Terrace, Woodford Reserve Paddock Club, Suites, Matt Winn’s, select dining rooms).
Passes are vehicle-specific (car, limo, mini-bus, motor coach). Incorrect vehicle types will be turned away.
Follow directions to your assigned lot for entry.
No shuttling allowed within lots. No re-entry if you leave.

Kentucky Exposition Center (KEC)

Central Avenue will be CLOSED May 1–3. Visit kentuckyderbyparking.com for route info.
Enter through Gates 1 or 2.
Shuttles start at 7:30 am on Oaks and Derby days. ADA parking and shuttles are available, but no wheelchair assistance at Churchill Downs.
Buses and cars may pre-purchase a Derby Drive drop-off pass (Warren Ave between Queen & Thornberry). No pick-up. Passes are collected at drop-off.
Only frontside tickets allow KEC parking and shuttle access. Infield tickets are not accepted and cannot use the shuttle. No drop-off at the Infield Gate.

Rideshare & Pickup

No onsite rideshare or taxi access. Use the Bronze Lot at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium. No mobility assistance is available. Use a shuttle to KEC for pickup or drop-off.
Paid parking at L&N Stadium starts on Thurby. Walk to Churchill Downs. Pay on-site (cash or card): $40 (car/truck), $150 (RV), $200 (bus). No advance sales.

2025 Parking Map for Thurby, Oaks, Derby by julia.huffman on Scribd

Items prohibited at Churchill Downs

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 equipped with a lens that is 6″ or larger
Canopies
Cans (any size or type)
Collapsible Chairs (Please see below exceptions for Infield Gate Only)
Collapsible Chairs without canopies
Confetti
Coolers
Chains
Duffel Bags
Drones and remote controlled aircraft
Firearms
Fireworks
Food (Opening Night -- Thurby) *see below 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 head-phones
Pets, except for trained service animals
Poles or sticks of any size
Portable speakers/sound systems
Projectile Items
Seat Cushions that are larger than 15″ X 15″ that contain metal arms and/or backs, 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 that are Allowed in the FRONTSIDE GATES: Derby Week

Baby bag & Diaper bags, if accompanied by a child (subject to search)
Strollers, if accompanied by a child

Notable Exceptions that are Allowed in the FRONTSIDE GATES: Kentucky Oaks & Derby

Guests with specific dietary needs or restrictions may bring boxed lunches or food items in clear plastic bags or containers that do not exceed the maximum size (12″ X 6″ X 12″). Boxed lunches or food items must fit in the guest’s bag or one-gallon clear Ziploc-style storage bag (no trash bags). Guests are restricted to one bag only – additional bags for food will not be permitted.

Items allowed in the Infield

Boxed lunches or food items in clear plastic bags or containers that do not exceed the maximum size (12″ X 6″ X 12″). Boxed lunches or food items must fit in the guest’s bag or one-gallon clear Ziploc-style storage bag (no trash bags). Guests are restricted to one bag only – additional bags for food will not be permitted.
Bottled water that is in a sealed, clear and unopened plastic bottle- limit of two 24 oz. bottles per person
Collapsible camping chairs without canopies (must be removed from bag during search)
Tarpaulins (“Tarps”) and Picnic Blankets that are smaller than 10′ x 10′. Once inside the gate, tarps may not be secured to the infield fence or any other permanent structure.

What are the wagering rules?

Churchill Downs has, for the most part, gone cashless. But cash is still needed for placing wagers at mutuel windows. While there are plenty of ATMs on site, it is encouraged you bring cash if you are looking to wager on site. Or set up your betting account through the TwinSpires app.

Will you be covering the Galas as well?

Sure thing! Our Night at the Galas special will air from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday and will also be available on WAVE’s streaming platforms, including our website, our apps on phones/tablets and smart TVs and on YouTube.

Please note: Our special coverage of the 2025 Pegasus parade will air on Friday, May 2 from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m.

NBC’s regularly scheduled airing of Dateline NBC will be shown later at 2 a.m.

Can I send in pictures/videos?

Absolutely! Submit your pictures and videos using the app below and you may see them on TV or shared through our social media accounts. We can’t wait to see how much fun you are having!

On social media, make sure to use #WAVEOAKS and #WAVEDERBY in your posts!