It’s that time of year again when everyone turns their attention to the Kentucky Derby.

This year marks the 151st running of the event, with 19 horses set to participate in one of the world’s most famous horse races.

From Bob Baffert’s return to this year’s favorite, CNN Sports takes a look at everything you need to know.

How to watch this year’s race

For those who can’t get a ticket to see the race live, there is no need to fear.

All the action from this year’s Kentucky Derby will be broadcast on NBC, and the race can also be watched on various other streaming platforms, such as Peacock and Hulu.

The big race is set to take place on May 3 at 6:57 p.m. ET. The Derby will once again take place at Churchill Downs.

What is the Kentucky Derby?

Dubbed the “Greatest Two Minutes in Sports” – a nod to its approximate run time – the Derby is the first race in US horse racing’s coveted Triple Crown, which also includes the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes.

It is also arguably the most loved, with people coming from all around the world to witness a taste of the action.

The first ever Kentucky Derby was first held back in 1875, and multiple winners have since become household names across North America, such as Secretariat and American Pharoah.

The race has more recently become a cultural spectacle, with fashion, cuisine and music all playing a part in the experience.

Mint juleps, for example, have become synonymous with the race as the Derby’s official drink and the garland of roses awarded to the winner is recognizable across the country.

The question is: which horse will add its name to the history books on Saturday?

2025 contenders

Every jockey, every owner and every trainer wants the chance to win the Kentucky Derby but only one of this year’s 19 horses will do it.

The bookies’ favorite for this year’s race is Journalism, trained by Michael McCarthy, at 3-1.

It’s a horse coming off the back of three consecutive wins and will hope to buck the recent trend of outsiders winning the Derby.

To add to its chances, Journalism was drawn an enviable eighth position in the gate, not that trainer McCarthy thinks it will make much of a difference.

“With a horse like him, he gives you a lot of confidence. Wouldn’t have mattered where he was drawn,” he said, per Reuters.

Another one to look out for is Sandman, a horse with some very famous fans. The three-year-old’s name is a nod to Metallica’s 1991 hit “Enter Sandman” and the group has certainly noticed.

In the buildup to this year’s race, the heavy metal band sent Sandman’s stable some merchandise as a way of showing support. The Kentucky Derby posted a photo on Facebook with Sandman posing with staff members all wearing Metallica t-shirts.

Sandman has a real chance at this year’s Derby as well, and is among the favorites at around 6-1.

By Ben Church, CNN