Kentucky Derby schedule 2017: Watch an entire day’s worth of horse racing fun

It’s Saturday, so we’ve reached the 2017 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs at last. And after you prepared for your parties, put on your fashionable hats, and picked up a little extra bourbon and mint, you’ll want to know when all of the key events of the day are. So we’re here for you.

You can watch all Kentucky Derby Day’s undercard action — and follow along live with us — beginning at noon on NBCSN. The television coverage switches to NBC at 2:30 p.m. The Kentucky Derby itself will break from the gates at approximately 6:46 p.m. (all times are approximate on Derby Day), but so much of the fun of the Kentucky Derby is all the traditions associated with it, from watching the horses cross from the barns, to the singing of “My Old Kentucky Home.” So tune in early and embrace it all.

You can live stream the entire Kentucky Derby experience using NBC Sports Live Extra, which offers a mosaic view featuring four cameras from 5 to 7 p.m., as well.

The national anthem will be performed by Grammy award winner Harry Connick Jr. at approximately 5:08 p.m.

The 20-horse field for the Kentucky Derby and their connections — that is, owners, trainers, and jockeys — will make their walk from the barns in preparation for the most exciting two minutes in sports at approximately 6:06 p.m.

The call for jockeys to mount their horses will be made at approximately 6:31 p.m.

The crowd of more than 150,000 fans at the Kentucky Derby will sing the traditional song, “My Old Kentucky Home” — slightly inebriated, probably — at about 6:32 p.m. as the horses make their way to the gates.

The Kentucky Derby gates are set to open at about 6:46 p.m. Two minutes later, we’ll know which of the contenders adds his name to the history books and becomes this year’s Triple Crown hopeful.

We’ll keep you updated for all the undercard races, but plan to be watching at these times to see some exciting horse racing action throughout the day.