Churchill Downs was hit with rain Friday, and steady rain is in the forecast for the 143rd running of the Kentucky Derby on Saturday. See the track conditions.
Poor weather conditions could play an important role in the running of the 143rd Kentucky Derby on Saturday.
The 20 horses and jockeys slated to take the starting gate will be looking up at the sky at Churchill Downs as rain and lackluster weather is forecasted for Derby Day.
On Friday, a steady amount of rain pelted the historic oval at the racing track for much of the day. And again, a consistent amount of rain is expected throughout the day May 6.
As it sits, the weather forecast calls for rainfall from about 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. EDT. With a post time of around 6: 40 p.m., the soggy conditions may play a role in the race. That could make it any horses race to win on the 1 1/4 mile track.
The forecast, according to AccuWeather, calls for cloudy and unseasonably cool weather around post time. But it doesn’ t call for a complete washout of activities, though the pre-race events may feel an impact.
“While rain gear will be a good idea, (the race) does not look like a washout, and rainfall amounts should not be all that heavy, ” AccuWeather Meteorologist Brian Thompson said. “By post time for the Derby at 6: 34 p.m., there’s a good chance it will be dry and the sun may even break through by then.”
The temperature is supposed to hover around the low 50s, but it’s expected to heat up a bit as the sun breaks through the clouds and makes an appearance.
By post time, the temperature is expected to be at about 57 degrees with winds out of the northwest at around 7-14 mph and partly-sunny skies.
Thompson said he expects the “Run for the Roses” track to be muddy, but ultimately listed as “good.”
Rain and soggy conditions haven’ t played a factor in the race recently, as the past three races at the Derby were dry and horses ran at full speed.
The first year that it rained during the Derby was in 1890 and the track was listed as “muddy.” There’s been at least some trace of precipitation at the race for 66 of the past 142 Derbys and a track that was listed as “fast” 100 times.
Regardless, the 2017 running of the Derby figures to be the historic spectacle that it’s become known for.
The post time for the 2017 Kentucky Derby and all 14 races on the schedule for Saturday at Churchill Downs.
