© 2025 WEKU
NPR for Northern, Central and Eastern Kentucky
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Support WEKU and join the 1850 campaign for the future! 1,850 new supporters, each giving $10 monthly to keep WEKU strong. We are down to 1250 to go! Donate today!

Kentucky Derby had massive viewership, as winner's Triple Crown run is uncertain

After the deaths of 12 horses at Churchill Downs this month, an 'emergency summit' began Tuesday to find out why so many horses died or suffer injuries leading them being put down.
KY Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet
Depiction of the Kentucky Derby

Sovereignty’s win in Saturday’s Kentucky Derby averaged 17.7 million viewers. This was the largest audience for the Run for the Roses since 1989.

The Kentucky Derby victory at a rain-soaked Churchill Downs sparked curiosity over whether the colt could build on his signature win. Other surfaces on the Triple Crown trail could be drier and faster than Saturday's muddy track.

The question now is whether that test will come sooner or later. Trainer Bill Mott initially seemed inclined to bypass the Preakness on May 17 in Baltimore for the Belmont next month, but will decide sometime this week. Trainers for other Derby horses face similar decisions after a muddy race that was new for many competitors.

The TV audience was a 6% increase over last year, according to Nielsen and Adobe Analytics. The audience peaked at 21.8 million as the race kicked off.

Stan Ingold is WEKU's News Director. He has worked in public broadcasting for 18 years, starting at Morehead State Public Radio before spending the past 10 years at Alabama Public Radio. Stan has been honored with numerous journalism awards for his public radio reporting.
WEKU depends on support from those who view and listen to our content. There's no paywall here. Please support WEKU with your donation.
Related Content