No doubt you’ve seen at least some of the hype around the 139th Kentucky Derby which takes place today, May 4, at Churchill Downs in Louisville, KY. Whether it’s from headlines having something to do with Rick Pitino, your weird but justified (only for Derby week) interest in funky hats, or the perfect excuse to chug sip mint juleps, just admit it–you’ve been hooked all week. The Kentucky Derby start time is 6:24 pm ET and will be televised on NBC – other watching options are listed below.

And while it may be true that you’ve been scouring the internet for the latest Kentucky Derby betting odds or unorthodox horse names, there are a number of different components that go into the most exciting two minutes in sports that some people just can’t wrap their heads around. So in the spirit of spreading some old Kentucky Derby cheer, we’ve compiled an extensive and definitive guide to Kentucky Derby coverage.

Supplies: I don’t care what you drink or how much, but you’ve got to have at least one (ten?) mint julep(s).

Who: The original list of 21 candidates has been narrowed to 19 today. Black Onyx, originally in the first position, is out due to an ankle fracture but because the colt was scratched past the deadline, alternate Fear the Kitten is unable to compete. Orb is still the favorite with 7-2 odds in the 16th position followed  by Verrazano (4-1) in the 14th, Goldencents (5-1) in the 8th, and Revolutionary (10-1) in the 3rd. You can check out how the rest of the field, with odds for each pony, right here.

Kentucky Derby Start Time: The official Kentucky Derby post time is 6:24 pm ET. Don’t tune in late because it will literally be over before you can blink.

Derby Coverage: NBC will be broadcasting the two-minute race and of course we’ll be live streaming. But NBC pulls out the big guns by pretty much transmitting coverage on all of their properties. Here’s a partial, though eclectic, list in case you don’t want to watch all of the coverage–starting at 11am ET on NBC Sports Network–before the 6:24pm ET post time.

• Weekend Today: Coverage continues on Saturday with Weekend TODAY as correspondent Dylan Dreyer reports live from Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., with Kentucky Derby segments throughout the show. Dreyer will interview NBC’s on-horse reporter Donna Brothers. TODAY coverage from Churchill Downs continues on Sunday with an interview with the Derby-winning jockey and trainer.
• Weather Channel: Stephanie Abrams will report live from the Derby on Friday for On the Radar and Morning Rush, as well as Weekend View on Saturday morning.
• Saturday Night Live: Host Zach Galifinakis and the SNL cast will contribute content to NBC’s Kentucky Derby broadcast on Saturday.
• Oxygen: Coco Rocha, fromThe Face, will talk fashion on  Saturday’s NBC Kentucky Derby coverage.
• Bravo: Andy Cohen, host of Bravo, Watch What Happens Live, picked his Kentucky Derby horse for a feature that will air during NBC’s Kentucky Derby broadcast.

How does Rick Pitino fit in: This years Kentucky Derby isn’t NCAA championship coach of the University of Louisville Rick Pitino’s first rodeo, err, derby. He was a part owner of AP Valentine (7th in 2001) and Halory Hunter (4th in 1998). This year could be the one when Rick becomes the first person to win both an NCAA mens basketball championship and a Kentucky Derby. Pitino owns a 5% stake in Goldencents, which could provide a sizable payout for the coach as Goldencents has a legitimate shot at winning in the 8th position with 5-1 odds.

BostInno Predictions: We’re not going to pretend like we’re equine experts but that doesn’t mean we don’t have picks of our own. Sometimes I like to go against the grain so I’m not taking favorites Orb, Verrazano, or Goldencents.  But I also wouldn’t put my money on the long shots because, well, they’re long shots. So which pony am I taking? In the 15th position with 20-1 odds, is soon-to-be Derby winner Charming Kitten. Why Charming Kitten? Quite simply, I happen to have a very charming and adorable kitten.

As for the rest of BostInno…

• Lisa Dicanio: “The brown one”
• Kevin McCarthy: “Ehhhhhhh… Is Giacamo racing?”
• Michelle Higginson: “Charming Kitten. I like ironic names.”
• Hilary Milnes: “I’m rooting for Rosie Napravnik. Girl power!”
• Kyle Clauss: “Frac Daddy. The horse drinks Guinness.”
• Greg Gomer: “I’m taking Ricky Pitino’s horse. Guy is so hot right now”

Live Stream: