2018 Kentucky Derby 2018 Kentucky Derby The 2018 Kentucky Derby (officially, the 2018 Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve) was the 144th running of the Kentucky Derby, and took place on Saturday, May 5, 2018, in Louisville, Kentucky. The field was open to 20 horses, with a purse of million. The Derby is held annually in Louisville on the first Saturday in May, at the end of the two-week-long Kentucky Derby Festival. It is a Grade I stakes race for three-year-old Thoroughbreds at a distance of , and has been run at Churchill Downs racetrack since its inception in 1875. The race was
Blame (horse) a 3-year-old Blame colt, also won a stakes race in March, the Grade 3 Palm Beach Stakes held at Gulfstream Park. Maraud also won the Grade 2 American Turf Stakes in May at Churchill Downs. Blamed, a 3-year-old Blame filly, has five wins and a second in six lifetime starts, including three wins in 2018 at Sunland Park. Beyond Blame, a 3-year-old filly, won the Grade 3 Regret Stakes in June at Churchill Downs and the $200,000 Indiana Grand Stakes in September. Miss Kentucky, a 4-year-old filly, won the Grade 3 Winning Colors Stakes in May at Churchill Downs. Senga,