Kentucky Derby Forecast: Dry Weather Expected | Weather.com
The Weather Channel

Here's why we're not too concerned about race day weather.

By

Jonathan Erdman

May 5, 2023

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A horse comes off the track after a workout as the sun rises at Churchill Downs Wednesday, May 3, 2023, in Louisville, Ky. The 149th running of the Kentucky Derby is scheduled for Saturday, May 6.

(AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

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The Kentucky Derby will most likely have dry and warm conditions on Saturday.

The 149th running of horse racing’s most famous race and first leg of the Triple Crown is this Saturday evening at Churchill Downs in Louisville.

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Fortunately, the weather forecast doesn’t have any major storms such as the lumbering storm that just hammered parts of the East and Midwest with flooding rain, wind and even record May snow.

Friday's forecast trends dry. The latest computer models suggest the rain that was previously forecast to arrive in the afternoon and evening is now expected to remain south and southwest of Louisville Friday and Friday night.

That means the Kentucky Oaks should be could be completely dry.

Saturday is likely to be dry and warm. There's more good news. Forecast models are now suggesting Saturday should remain dry through the post time of the Kentucky Derby (6:57 p.m. EDT). Any rain chances should remain in western Kentucky.

Given that forecast, the track will likely remain dry and fast. According to the National Weather Service, the last time the track at Churchill Downs was considered “sloppy” due to rain was in 2019.

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