Road to the Kentucky Derby: How to Watch Santa Anita Derby & Toyota Blue Grass Stakes on Peacock

It’s just one month until the Kentucky Derby (so start prepping those mint juleps), but if you want to get a peek at some of the early contenders ahead of time, Peacock has you covered with the Santa Anita Derby and the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes, streaming live on Saturday, April 4 on Peacock.

NBC Sports will present both races this weekend, as the two events serve as key prep races on the road to the Kentucky Derby. The action starts up on Saturday, April 4, live at 6 p.m. ET on Peacock. The Santa Anita Derby is part of the 1/ST RACING TOUR, and held at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California. The Blue Grass Stakes will be contested at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Kentucky.

RELATED: How the Mint Julep Became a Kentucky Derby Tradition, Explained

For horse racing fans keeping track of which racers have qualified for the Kentucky Derby, the Santa Anita Derby will award a total of 200 Kentucky Derby qualification points, with 100 allotted to the winner and 50 to second place. The Blue Grass Stakes will also award 200 Kentucky Derby qualification points in the same ratio.

Favorites at the Santa Anita Derby & Toyota Blue Grass Stakes

The 2-1 morning line favorite in the Santa Anita Derby is Potente, who is trained by Bob Baffert. Cherokee Nation (5-2) is a top contender in the Santa Anita Derby and is also trained by Baffert. The 2025 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2) winner Further Ado (8-5) trained by Brad Cox is the morning line favorite in the Blue Grass Stakes.
 
The NBC Sports broadcast team for the races will feature Ahmed Fareed, hosting Saturday’s coverage of the Santa Anita Derby and Blue Grass Stakes alongside analyst and Hall of Fame jockey Jerry Bailey and analyst Randy Moss. Britney Eurton (Santa Anita) and Kenny Rice (Keeneland) will serve as on-site reporters.

Looking ahead, mark your calendar now for the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, May 2 at 2:30 p.m. on NBC and Peacock.