2021 US Triple Crown: 147th Kentucky Derby April 29, 2020 by Marc Jerbs

On Saturday, the prestigious Kentucky Derby will be held at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky.

This is the 147th edition of the 1st leg of the US Triple Crown.

It is a Grade 1 stakes race for three-year old horses and will cover a total race distance of 1 ¼ miles of the dirt-surfaced racecourse.

The Kentucky Derby has a total prize money of $3 million.

The race winner will get $1.86 million while the runner-up will get $600,000.

Share of the prize money is given up to the 5th placer of the race.

The post time is set 6:57PM EDT.

Twenty horses have qualified in the Kentucky Derby led by Breeder's Cup Juvenile winner and undefeated Essential Quality.

Essential Quality is trained by Brad Cox and owned by Sheik Mohammed's Godolphin.

Jockey Luis Saez will ride Essential Quality and will start at barrier 14.

Essential Quality will have a lot of challengers in the race such as:

• Known Agenda
• Hot Rod Charlie
• Rock Your World
• Highly Motivated
• Medina Spirit

A favorable racing condition is expected on May 1 according to the track's weather forecasters.

The sportsbook handicappers have installed Essential Quality as the favorite win the 147th Kentucky Derby on Saturday night.