"The exact speed of the storm will be key as to whether wet conditions linger for Derby Day itself. Racegoers should plan for lingering dampness for the morning hours at least, but conditions may begin to improve as post time approaches," Duff explained.
After a wet Kentucky Oaks Day, the Louisville weather forecast for Kentucky Derby Day on Saturday calls for clouds with a high of 64 degrees and a 24 percent chance of rain.
While the Derby itself lasts just two minutes, the anticipation for the event remains high throughout the year and gives way to an entire weekend of festivities.
Blue Grass winner Zandon (3-1 odds) and Louisiana Derby winner Epicenter (7-2 odds) are the top choices in the morning line released Monday.But there certainly are several other intriguing options in a race considered “wide-open” by many.
Front-running horses are generally thought to perform better in wet conditions because they have to deal with less mud being kicked in their faces, but a faster pace in a competition to get to the front early could hurt horses without the endurance to last 1 1/4 miles.
“Say a storm blows through and you have the lightning strikes in the area, you seek shelter,” Rogers said. “Then the all-clear is given, but you still may need to groom and maintain the track to ensure a safe racing surface. Sometimes that'll take a little extra time.”
According to National Weather Service records, rain has been recorded on 69 out of the 147 Derby Days that have happened since 1875. The rainiest Derby Day happened in 2018 when 3.15 inches fell.
The track itself is considered a “dirt track” but it's actually made up of 75 percent sand, 23 percent silt and 2 percent clay.
Generally, yes. If it so heavy it is dangerous for the riders and the horses, then it is cancelled. If it is really wet, then any races on the turf are taken off and put on the dirt. You can check the Penn National website on the day of a race if there is bad weather and find out the status of the track.
But keep in mind, there's no rule that says you have to wear a dress, though most women do. "Some women are more comfortable in pants and that is fine, too. There are all kinds of fun pants for instance, black with big yellow flowers or high-waisted with big full legs, fitted pants suits and jumpsuits," Ross said.
There's a slight chance of rain of about 7%, but the track should be dry most of the day ahead of the Run for the Roses.
The Kentucky Derby, presented by Woodford Reserve, is a top rank, Grade I stakes race for 3 year old Thoroughbred horses. The race distance is one and one-quarter miles long, and it is run on the dirt racetrack at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky.
Projected weather: Mostly cloudy, breezy and "the track could still be muddy for the Derby."
The track at Churchill Downs is generally described as dirt, but it is actually a mixture of river sand, silt and clay, according to NPR. Despite this heartier mixture, it is still subject to the whims of wet weather.
What if it rains on the race day? The Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks are run rain or shine. The only thing that would delay the races is lightning.