A tradition restored: Where to bet, when to watch, how to enjoy the Kentucky Derby.

The Kentucky Derby is back to normal.

For the first time since 2019, a capacity crowd is possible for the greatest two minutes in sports at Churchill Downs in Louisville.

If the weather cooperates, Kentucky could be in for a celebration of sports — and, well, life — that we’ve not been witness to in quite some time.

The occasion of the 148^th running of the Kentucky Derby on Saturday will once again allow for every ounce of pageantry associated with a race that typically attracts more than 150,000 revelers to the renowned racetrack. All of the event’s traditional trappings cast aside during the height of the pandemic will resurface on the first Saturday in May in 2022.

In addition to what’s expected to be a return to order in Louisville, fans will be celebrating at Keeneland in Lexington as well.

Visitors will have access to more than 1,000 TVs, wagering, food, drink specials and live music.

Visit Keeneland.com for additional operating procedures and wagering instructions on Derby Day.

Derby Day logistics

What you need to know, whether you’re heading to Churchill Downs, staying in Lexington or watching on TV:

IF YOU GO TO THE DOWNS

General admission: $80 (gets you in the infield). Reserved grandstand and bleacher seating are available at higher prices at Ticketmaster.com. Unlike the past two years, capacity is not limited because of COVID-19.

Gates open: 9:30 a.m.

First post time: 10:30 a.m.

Derby post time: 6:57 p.m. (12th race)

Weather forecast: Chance of a few showers early in the day, giving way to cloudy skies by afternoon. High of 64. At Derby post time, look for cloudy skies and 64 degrees.

Parking: If your ticket includes reserved parking, check the color on your hang tag to find your specific lot. If your ticket does not include reserved parking, you have two options: Park at Cardinal Stadium and walk to Churchill Downs or park in one of the neighborhoods near the track.

What you can bring: Amid a weather forecast calling for warming temperatures, it’s important to note that visitors are allowed to bring in bottled water — limit of two 24-ounce unopened plastic bottles per person. Each guest is permitted one bag no larger than 12 inches by 6 inches by 12 inches. Be sure yours includes sunscreen, even though the forecast calls for clouds. Banned items of note include coolers, backpacks, umbrellas, alcoholic beverages, tents, selfie sticks, thermoses and pets (except service animals). Visit KentuckyDerby.com to view a complete list of items that are permitted or banned.

The crowd: The two biggest crowds in Derby history attended recently — 170,513 in 2015 and 167,227 in 2016. Now that the pandemic capacity limits of the past two years have been retired, there’s no telling how vast a sea of people will descend on the Downs if the weather holds up.

The national anthem: Power vocalist Brittney Spencer will sing “The Star-Spangled Banner” shortly after 5 p.m. Louisville native and chart-topping rapper Jack Harlow will make the annual “Riders Up” command for Kentucky Derby jockeys to mount their horses.

Broadcast coverage

WLEX-18 and NBC: 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and 2:30-8 p.m.

USA Network: Noon-2:30 p.m.

Horse Racing Radio Network: The Derby will be broadcast on WZNN-96.1 FM. Pre-race coverage and undercard races available on Sirius 219, XM 201 or at horseracingradio.net.

TVG: Coverage throughout the day

Online coverage

Twitter: Follow our main Herald-Leader accounts: @HeraldLeader and @KentuckySports. Additionally, follow our entire reporting team: John Clay (@johnclayiv), Ben Roberts (@BenRobertsHL), Mark Story (@markcstory), Josh Moore (@JoshMooreHL), Cameron Drummond (cdrummond97), Liz Moomey (@lizmoomey), Monica Kast (@monica_kast), Andrew Henderson (@andrwfhenderson), Silas Walker (@sigh_las) and Ryan Hermens (@ryanhermens).

Facebook: Kentucky.com and KentuckySports.com

Instagram: Instagram.com/kentuckycom

NBC Sports: Live stream available at nbcsports.com/live

Wagering locations

KEENELAND

4201 Versailles Road, Lexington

General admission: $7 in advance, $10 race day, free for ages 12 and under. Tickets must be purchased in advance and do not include reserved grandstand areas.

Drive-through opens: 7 a.m.

Gates open: 10 a.m.

Grandstand mutuel windows open: 10 a.m.

Activities: Live music, food, drink specials

Information: (859) 254-3412; www.keeneland.com

RED MILE

1200 Red Mile Road, Lexington

Admission: Free

Gates open: 9 a.m.

Mutuel windows open: 10 a.m.

Information: (859) 255-0752; RedMileKy.com

ONLINE BETTING

All three of these services are similar, so personal taste and comfort level with the various features will probably be the biggest factor when deciding which to use:

▪ TwinSpires is billed as the “official online wagering home of the Kentucky Derby.” You can sign up by visiting Twinspires.com on your computer or searching for TwinSpires in the app store on your smartphone.

▪ Cable television station TVG also has a website and smartphone app that facilitates wagering. Sign up at TVG.com or search for TVG in the app store.

▪ Another good option is Keeneland Select, which is affiliated with the legendary Lexington racetrack. Sign up at Keeneland.com/select or search for Keeneland Select in the app store.

This story was originally published May 6, 2022 at 7:00 AM.