Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, welcome to your ultimate guide to the 140th Kentucky Derby. This year’s thoroughbred race is poised to be one of the most successful ever in many respects. The mint juleps will be flowing liberally, the hats will be as flamboyant as ever and the approximately two-minute race will have you on the edge of your seat. Post time for the first leg of the Triple Crown is 6:24 p.m. ET Saturday evening, and the race will commence shortly thereafter.

Two horses have been scratched from the field prior to running, narrowing the field down to 19 ponies. Hoppertunity, formerly in the 11th position with 5-1 odds, is suffering from a sore left foot while Pablo Del Monte, a long shot with 50-1 odds in the 21st position, will sit out likely due to its poor starting position.

Now that we’ve covered some basic logistics, here are a few things you ought to know for Saturday’s 2014 Kentucky Derby:

 

 

Imbibe: Go ahead and mix together your favorite libation but know that doing so is a total rookie move. When it comes to the Kentucky Derby, mint juleps are king. Be thirsty, my friends.

 

 

Parties: Boston may be 917 miles away from Churchill Downs (or so says Google Maps) but that doesn’t mean we can’t celebrate Derby Day here. Check out our roundup of Kentucky Derby Parties in and around Boston.

 

 

Tom Brady: ‘Nuff said.

 

 

The Field: As aforementioned, there are two scratches so the 11th position and 21st position will be vacant. Official odds will be altered slightly as hours to post time count down due to various reasons, but likely won’t affect your personal prediction much. Here’s how the field and odds have shaped up so far:

1. Vicar’s In Trouble (33-1)

2. Harry’s Holiday (9-1)

3. Uncle Sigh (8-1)

4. Danza (6-1)

5. California Chrome (16-1)

6. Samraat (33-1)

7. We Miss Artie (12-1)

8. General A Rod (21-1)

9. Vinceremos (11-1)

10. Wildcat Red (37-1)

11. Hoppertunity (5-1) *SCRATCHED*

12. Dance With Fate (22-1)

13. Chitu (2-1)

14. Medal Count (20-1)

15. Tapiture (8-1)

16. Intense Holiday (8-1)

17. Commanding Curve (50-1)

18. Candy Boy (15-1)

19. Ride On Curlin (15-1)

20. Wicked Strong (6-1) 

21. Pablo Del Monte (50-1) *SCRATCHED*

 

 

 

Kentucky Derby Start Time: The official Kentucky Derby post time is 6:24 p.m. ET. Don’t tune in late because the race, which lasts for just north of two minutes, will be over before you can blink.

 

 

Coverage: NBCUniversal owns the broadcasting rights to the Derby and will be streaming coverage through a bevy of its properties. Tune in to NBC on race day to watch the race or sign up for NBC LiveExtra to livestream it from your computer or mobile device.

Some nonconventional coverage for your viewing pleasure:

TODAY: TODAY’s Al Roker reports live from Churchill Downs on Friday and interviews NBC Sports Group’s Kentucky Derby commentators including fashion experts Johnny Weir and Tara Lipinski on selecting the perfect Derby hat, and reporter Donna Brothers on jockey technique.

The Weather Channel: During Wake Up With Al on Friday morning, Roker and Stephanie Abrams report live from Churchill Downs on the latest conditions, while Sam Champion will be on site Friday during AMHQ with Sam Champion with segments including an interview with Josh Elliott, who makes his NBC Sports debut this weekend.

CNBC: Friday’s Squawk on the Street features an interview with Brown-Forman Master Distiller Chris Morris on the Derby’s $1,000 mint julep; and Friday’s Fast Money Halftime Report features Churchill Downs CEO Bob Evans as a guest.

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon: Special Kentucky Derby content from Jimmy Fallon will air this weekend, including Fallon’s pick for the winning horse.

Late Night with Seth Meyers: Seth Meyers and Fred Armisen provided their Derby picks to be revealed during NBC’s Kentucky Derby broadcast on Saturday.

 

 

What to know about Wicked Strong: Intended to be named Boston Strong, after the campaign that helped the city heal in the wake of the tragic Boston Marathon bombings and in honor of those most deeply affected, Wicked Strong was born and bred in nearby Beverly. Don Little Jr. of Centennial Farms named Wicked Strong aptly, and donates a percentage of Wicked Strong’s earnings to The One Fund Boston.

You can watch Wicked Strong dominate in wicked style right here:

 

 

 

Predictions from BostInno’s editorial team: Do we pretend to be equine aficionados here? For the most part, no. But that doesn’t mean BostInno’s editorial team isn’t getting in on the fun. We’ve made a plethora of appealing picks that, right or wrong, are just as solid as any of the experts’. 

So whose it going to be? In the 18th position with 15-1 odds, I’m taking Candy Boy. Because it takes one to know one.

Marian White (staff writer, lifestyle): “I’m going with Intense Holiday for the win.”

Hayden Bird (staff writer, sports): “F*** it, we’ll do it live: I’m taking Wildcat Red, because as a noted smuggler once said, ‘Never tell me the odds.'”

Alex Weaver (managing editor): “I’m going with Dance With Fate, because that was actually my nickname in high school.”

Caroline Earle (staff writer, health & fitness): “Taking a risk. Candy Boy. Says the fitness writer…”

Hilary Milnes (staff writer, lifestyle): “Going with Danza.”

Gillis Bernard (staff writer, tech & business): “Samraat sounds like a scrappy lil’ fella. But also California Chrome sounds pretty tech beatnation.”

Nate Boroyan (staff writer, city news): “Gonna go with Vinceremos, here. Named sounded powerful, so I Googled it. In Latin, it means to conquer.”

Galen Moore (editor-in-chief): “I pick California Chrome. 16:1 (switches).”

Alex Reimer (junior writer, sports): “Hoppertunity is an awful pun. So, count me in on some of that action.” UPDATE (one-minute later):  “F***. Just saw Hoppertunity has been scratched. I don’t read well. So, let’s do General A-Rod. I’m intrigued .”

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