The 2023 Kentucky Derby is slated to begin on Saturday at 6:57 p.m. ET (NBC), though the latest weather forecast indicates that there is a scenario in which the conditions may not be perfect.
The latest Kentucky Derby weather report shows rain as a possibility at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., but "Can it rain?" vs. "Will it rain?" are two very different questions.
Precipitation could muddy up the track, providing different advantages and disadvantages depending on the horse.
This is not only something of interest to fans and those attending the race, but Kentucky Derby bettors may also make wagering decisions based on the expected weather conditions as well.
As a result, let's take a quick look at the updated Kentucky Derby weather forecast, including the chances that rain impacts tonight's race at Churchill Downs.
Kentucky Derby Weather 2023
According to the National Weather Service, there is around a 30% chance of rain at Churchill Downs, but, like most sporting events, timing is key.
The hourly forecast shows just a 12% chance of precipitation at 6 p.m. ET, which then actually dips to 11% from 7-8 p.m. ET. This is significant considering the scheduled 6:57 p.m. ET post time.
The chances of rain then remain between 11-12% from 8 p.m. ET through midnight ET.
While weather can be unpredictable, the Kentucky Derby forecast suggests that we should, at the very least, see dry conditions for tonight's race.
According to the latest Kentucky Derby odds, Tapit Trice and Angel of Empire are the race co-favorites at 9-2, followed by Two Phil's (7-1), Derma Sotogake (7-1) and Kingbarns (10-1).
