Kentucky Derby 2016 schedule: Times, TV coverage, events and more for the week

Kentucky Derby week is here! And it’s not just about the fastest two minutes in sports, it’s about a weeklong celebration of horse racing at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. From watching daily workouts to Wednesday’s draw to the Kentucky Oaks for the fillies on Friday and the 142nd running of the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, the week is packed with events to enjoy.

NBC is the broadcast partner of the Kentucky Derby and will cover the week primarily on NBCSN, with the Kentucky Derby itself shown on NBC at 6:34 p.m. ET on Saturday. The draw is set for 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Everything will be streamed on NBC Sports Live Extra.

The winner of the Florida Derby, Nyquist, enters the week as the betting favorite. That’s been a great place to be for the past few years. American Pharoah, California Chrome and Orb were each favored heading into Derby week and went on to win the race.

We might not be looking for the first Triple Crown winner in decades this time around -- American Pharoah took care of that last year -- but that doesn’t mean it can’t be done. Seattle Slew (1977) and Affirmed (1978) earned the honor in back-to-back years before we fell into a 37-year drought.

If you’re planning to head to Churchill Downs, events throughout the week will keep you in proper spirits and ready for the Run for the Roses. Tuesday through Thursday mornings, from 7 to 9 a.m., fans can buy a ticket to attend morning workouts narrated by expert Gary West. The cost is $37 but includes a reserved dining seat and chef’s breakfast table. Thursday at the Derby -- Thurby -- is an all-day celebration of all things Kentucky: bourbon, music and horse racing. Tickets start at $20.

Races are held all week long, but the two big ones are the Kentucky Oaks on Friday and the Kentucky Derby on Saturday. The Oaks, for 3-year-old fillies, is the 11th race of a full day of action. The race dates back to 1875 and is actually the fourth highest-attended horse racing event of the year behind the three Triple Crown races. Churchill Downs will be decked out in pink and fans are encouraged to wear the color, as well. The Oaks go to the gate at 5:49 p.m.

Saturday is the biggest party in the country with 14 races at Churchill Downs. The Kentucky Derby is the 11th of them, with riders called to mount their horses at 5:25 p.m., more than 100,000 people singing “My Old Kentucky Home” two minutes later and a scheduled field of 20 set to bust out of the gates at 6:34 p.m.

So grab your mint julep and get ready to have a fun week.

Workouts: 8-9 a.m.; streaming via TwinSpires.com
Derby Draw: 5:30-6 p.m.: TV: NBCSN

7 a.m. to 9 a.m. Tuesday-Thursday

5:49 p.m.: The 142nd running of the Kentucky Oaks

5:05 p.m.: Lady Antebellum sing the national anthem
5:25 p.m.: Riders called to mount their horses
5:27 p.m.: Singing of “My Old Kentucky Home”
6:34 p.m.: The 142nd running of the Kentucky Derby

(Note: All times ET)