Kentucky Derby Weather Preview

It’s time for the eyes of the sporting world to be cast upon Louisville and Churchill Downs for the 134th run for the Roses on Saturday. Queens and princes, paupers and pirates will converge on Louisville this weekend hoping for a warm and sunny day and a lightning fast track.

The action, which began a week ago they tell me, gets down to serious business on Thursday with the Pegasus Parade thru the streets of Louisville. Warm sunshine will bask the 150+ thousand parade goers who jam Broadway.

If you are taking in the parade, load up on sun block SPF 30 else it is a 1-10 sure shot that you will pay the price with a nasty sunburn by the time you wager on the Oaks on Friday and the Derby on Saturday. Air temperatures will reach 80 along the parade route courtesy of southerly winds and plenty of body heat!

The Oaks is the 10th of eleven races on Friday’s card at Churchill. A windy and warm day will raise some dust around the Downs as highs make 80 again. Only the ladies can run in this race and this year 8 fillies will relive the thrill of the first Oaks run back in 1875! I personally feel the rains will hold off until after the race but I would want to see the 5 PM radar on Thursday before I place my bet on a dry track.

Right now, I expect a few showers (one with thunder) on Derby Day Saturday but until the showers form, it is foolhardy for me to say exactly when it will rain. With the sun in and out all day long, highs will be in the mid 70s.

I will be updating my forecast for the weather for the RUN FOR THE ROSES and making a prediction on the race in Friday’s blog. By the way, I nailed the Derby winner last year right here at WSAZ.COM!