There are few more watched American sporting events on the calendar than the Kentucky Derby. It regularly ranks among the most watched sporting events on the calendar, with only the Super Bowl attracting a bigger audience every year.
The Kentucky Derby is also one of the biggest betting events on the U.S. schedule, with millions wagered on the action every year. One of the most dynamic factors surrounding the race is the fact that it is one of the few horse racing events that captures the mainstream attention as well as those that bet on racing throughout the season.
It is commonly known as the ‘most exciting two minutes in sports’, meaning that it is an event that you can not afford to miss out on viewing. But, how can you watch the action?
NBC
The best option to watch the Derby comes in the form of the mainstream viewing option via NBC. As one of the biggest events on the calendar, a star-studded panel will be on hand throughout the day at NBC to share their best bets and angles for wagers on the racing. Plus, you can also find live free horse racing picks by TwinSpires.com.
NBC also does an excellent job of building up the importance of the race, highlighting the victories that runners have achieved in the past. It is also an excellent choice for those who are unaware of the runners in the field, as the coverage will weigh up the chances and focus on the stories featuring all runners who will be involved in the Derby in 2024.
The stream will also include action from the Churchill Downs before the Triple Crown race and will include interviews with trainers, jockeys, and other celebrities at the track.
fuboTV
One of the most affordable streaming options to watch the Kentucky Derby this year comes in the form of fuboTV. Newcomers to the service can take advantage of a free trial to watch the Derby.
As well as being able to watch the action at Churchill Downs, viewers can also access over 200 live TV channels, meaning that you can continue to watch the horse racing action available on FanDuel TV. The free trial lasts for seven days, but viewers will need to cancel their subscription before needing to pay the $74.99 price.
Peacock
The NBC coverage for the Kentucky Derby will also be available at Peacock, which is one of the most affordable streaming options for watching the Triple Crown race. This service will cost $5 per month, and viewers will also get to watch some of the best live sporting action across the wide selection of channels that are found on the streaming service.
There is also a wealth of on-demand choices for viewers. The Kentucky Derby can be streamed via Peacock on a mobile or desktop device, while you can also watch the action on television via screen mirroring or signing in on an Xbox or PlayStation device.
Sportsbooks
One of the best options for racing fans who are looking to wager on the Kentucky Derby before watching the race could be to watch the action via a live stream at one of the leading sportsbooks.
The vast majority of bookmakers will require a bet to be made on the race to watch the action, but small stakes are welcomed by sportsbooks to access the live streaming. Streaming the race via a sportsbook will be the popular method among many, as they can quickly get into making the wagers that they wish to make.
Bettors can expect to find exotics, as well as win, place, and show options when making a wager on the Kentucky Derby with the leading providers.
Kentucky Derby 2024 Leading Contenders
There is a very open feel to the Kentucky Derby this year, with several leading contenders yet to emerge in a prep race on the trail. Fierceness was the long-time favorite to win the race after landing the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile last year, but his chances have been negatively impacted after finishing only third on his return to action in the Holy Bull Stakes.
Track Phantom has been one of the most impressive winners at this stage after landing the Lecomte Stakes by a wide margin from Nash. Locked could also be a challenger worth assessing at this early stage, as the three-year-old won two significant races as a two-year-old before finishing third in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile behind Fierceness.
Mystik Dan could also be among the leading contenders at this early stage after a striking display in muddy conditions when scoring a career-best speed figure in the Southwest Stakes. However, we will likely learn more surrounding the chances of some of the leading contenders when the action on the Road to the Kentucky Derby ramps up in February.
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