Mage wins Kentucky Derby

Mage won the 149th Kentucky Derby on Saturday after one of the favorites was the latest in a string of horses scratched from the race. Two Phils placed while Angel of Empire showed.

Mage had 16-to-1 odds to win.

Forte, the early betting favorite, was scratched following a Saturday morning workout. Irad Ortiz Jr., the jockey who was scheduled to ride Forte, moved to Cyclone Mischief.

Forte joined Practical Move, Lord Miles, Continuar and Skinner as contenders who were already removed from the race roster. Horses Mandarin Hero, Cyclone Mischief and King Russell were subbed in as alternates.

How to watch the 2023 Kentucky Derby

Date: Saturday, May 6, 2023
Race start time: 6:57 p.m ET
Location: Churchill Downs
TV: NBC
Streaming:

What channel is the Kentucky Derby on?

The most exciting two minutes in sports will be easier than ever to watch this year, with a record 7.5 hours of race day coverage scheduled to air on NBC and stream on Peacock beginning at 12 p.m. ET on Saturday, May 6. You can also watch the race via NBC on Yahoo Sports.

The Derby Day coverage actually kicked off on Friday, May 5. Across two days of coverage, NBC will present a total of 15 live races from Churchill Downs.

If you already have access to NBC, then you should be off and running! No need to keep reading. But if you’re not sure how to tune in to NBC’s Kentucky Derby coverage in 2023, then hold your horses and check out our suggestions for the best way to watch the race below, including streaming, cable and more.

(Photo: Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Peacock

Starting at just $5 a month, a Peacock subscription is the easiest way to stream live sports and events airing on NBC, including this year’s Kentucky Derby! You’ll also get access to thousands of hours of shows and movies, including beloved sitcoms such as “Parks and Recreation” and “The Office” and even recent theatrical releases like “Cocaine Bear” and “M3GAN.” For $10 monthly you can upgrade to an ad-free subscription which includes live access to your local NBC Channel (not just during designated sports and events) and the ability to download select titles to watch offline.

$5 at Peacock

Other ways to watch the Kentucky Derby on NBC

(Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Sling Blue

You can stream the Kentucky Derby on NBC through Sling TV’s Blue tier. With no long-term contract, a 50% discount on your first month and 40 other channels to enjoy, Sling Blue is an easy option for cord cutters who may be missing their cable package, but have no desire to go back to paying the big bill that comes along with it. Along with NBC, Sling Blue includes USA, Food Network, MSNBC, Fox and more.

$20 at Sling TV

Forte scratched just hours from 2023 Kentucky Derby

Forte was pulled from the Derby after a veterinary inspection and workout Saturday morning. The final decision was made by the state veterinarian.

Forte had been watched carefully ever since he stepped awkwardly during a workout on Thursday.

Who was the favorite to win the 2023 Kentucky Derby?

Forte, a horse trained by Todd Pletcher, had been widely seen as the favorite to win this year's derby before he was scratched Saturday morning. With Forte's removal, Tapit Trice and Angel of Empire shifted to 9-2 co-favorites as of 1:30 p.m. ET Saturday.

Tapit Trice has an undefeated record in 2023. The horse won the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes in April and has wins in the Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby and in a claiming race at Gulfstream Park in February.

Angel of Empire won the Arkansas Derby on April 1 and also won the Risen Star in February.

However, audiences love a dark horse, and there will certainly be plenty of people looking to place bets on a less obvious candidate this Saturday.

Kentucky Derby 2023 post positions and updated odds:

• 1. Hit Show (26-1)

• 2. Verifying (16-1)

• 3. Two Phil's (8-1)

• 4. Confidence Game (17-1)

• 5. Tapit Trice (9-2)

• 6. Kingsbarns (10-1)

• 7. Reincarnate (13-1)

• 8. Mage (18-1)

• 9. Skinner (scratched)

• 10. Practical Move (scratched)

• 11. Disarm (25-1)

• 12. Jace's Road (32-1)

• 13. Sun Thunder (30-1)

• 14. Angel of Empire (9-2)

• 15. Forte (scratched)

• 16. Raise Cain (30-1)

• 17. Derma Sotogake (7-1)

• 18. Rocket Can (27-1)

• 19. Lord Miles (scratched)

• 20. Continuar (scratched)

• 21. Cyclone Mischief (30-1)

• 22. Mandarin Hero (21-1)

• 23. King Russell (31-1)
  (Odds updated as of 1:30 p.m. ET Saturday)

Kentucky Derby 2023 jockeys and horses:

• Junior Alvarado: Rocket Can

• Rafael Bejarano: King Russell

• Javier Castellano: Mage

• Gerardo Corrales: Raise Cain

• Manny Franco: Hit Show

• Tyler Gaffalione: Verifying

• Florent Geroux: Jace’s Road

• James Graham: Confidence Game

• Brian Hernandez Jr.: Sun Thunder

• Kazushi Kimura: Mandarin Hero

• Christophe Lemaire: Derma Sotogake

• Jareth Loveberry: Two Phil's

• Jose Ortiz: Kingsbarns

• Flavien Prat: Angel of Empire

• Joel Rosario: Disarm

• Luis Saez: Tapit Trice

• John Velazquez: Reincarnate

• Irad Ortiz Jr.: Cyclone Mischief

Let’s review: Here’s the best way to watch the Kentucky Derby