The Kentucky Derby Weekend is the biggest racing weekend of the year, and MyWinners is open early, open late, and ready across all nine Winners venues in Connecticut, online at MyWinners.com, and on Telebet. This article gives you the full schedule, the operational rules for advance wagering, and the salient points for online and telebet customers across Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
Key Dates and Post Times
The 152nd Kentucky Derby runs on Saturday 2 May 2026 at Churchill Downs. The Kentucky Oaks runs the night before on Friday 1 May 2026 in primetime.
Kentucky Oaks (Race 11 of the Oaks Day card — listed as the last race): post time approx. 8:40 PM ET, Friday 1 May
Kentucky Derby (Race 12, Saturday card): post time 6:57 PM ET, Saturday 2 May
Churchill Race 14 (last "stay open through" race for venues on Saturday): post time approx. 8:33 PM ET
Winners Venue Opening Hours
The schedule below applies to all nine Winners venues: Bradley (Windsor Locks), New Britain, Hartford, Manchester, Milford, Norwalk, Sports Haven (East Haven), Stamford, and Waterbury.
Friday 1 May (Oaks Day) | Saturday 2 May (Derby Day) | Sunday 3 May |
Doors open: 11:00 AM ET | Doors open: 10:00 AM ET | Doors open: 11:30 AM ET |
First Churchill race: 12:30 PM ET | First Churchill race: 11:00 AM ET | Cashing only — no live wagering schedule changes |
Advance wagering on Kentucky Derby (Race 12) only from 11:00 AM — no Saturday full-card advance in venue | Kentucky Derby (Race 12) post time: 6:57 PM ET | Normal Sunday opening |
Kentucky Oaks post time: approx. 8:40 PM ET (last race of card) | All venues open at least until the official and payoff of Race 14 (post time approx. 8:33 PM ET) | Collect winnings, settle tickets, plan your next bet |
All venues stay open until the official and payoff of the Oaks (approx. 9:00 PM ET) |
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Find your nearest Winners or MyWinners venue here.
Friday 1 May — Oaks Day
Doors open: 11:00 AM ET at all venues
First Churchill race: 12:30 PM ET
Advance wagering on the Kentucky Derby (Race 12) only opens at 11:00 AM ET in venue
No Saturday full-card advance wagering available in venue on Friday
All venues stay open until the official and payoff of the Kentucky Oaks (approx. 9:00 PM ET) — including any branches that ordinarily close earlier in the evening
Saturday 2 May — Kentucky Derby Day
Doors open: 10:00 AM ET at all venues
First Churchill race: 11:00 AM ET
Kentucky Derby (Race 12) post time: 6:57 PM ET
All venues stay open at least until the official and payoff of Churchill Race 14 (post time approx. 8:33 PM ET)
Sunday 3 May — Normal Hours
Doors open: 11:30 AM ET at all venues
Normal Sunday cashing and wagering
Derby Weekend Friday and Saturday Closing Times by Venue
Venue | Friday 1 May close | Saturday 2 May close |
Winners Norwalk | 11:00 PM | 11:00 PM |
Winners New Britain | 9:00 PM | 9:00 PM |
Winners Hartford | 11:00 PM | 11:00 PM |
Winners Manchester | 10:00 PM | 10:00 PM |
Winners Milford | 9:00 PM (extended) | 9:00 PM (extended) |
Winners Waterbury | 9:00 PM | 9:00 PM |
MyWinners East Haven | 11:00 PM | 11:00 PM |
Online Wagering at MyWinners
The single most important point for online customers:
Wagering on the full Saturday Churchill Downs card opens at MyWinners.com from Friday morning — every race on the Saturday programme, not just the Kentucky Derby itself.
This is the key difference between online and in-venue advance wagering. In venue on Friday, the only Saturday race available for advance wagering is Race 12 (the Derby). Online, the full Saturday card is available from Friday morning, including all undercard races and exotic bet types across the Saturday programme.
Online wagering covers horse racing and greyhound racing only — sports betting is exclusively in person via Fanatics Sportsbook at Winners venues.
Online cancellation rules during Derby Weekend
Standard MyWinners online cancellation rules apply throughout the weekend:
Online bets of $750 or less can be cancelled up to one minute before post time from your MyWinners account
Frequently Asked Questions
What time do Winners venues open on Kentucky Derby weekend?
What time do Winners venues open on Kentucky Derby weekend?
Friday 1 May (Oaks Day): 11:00 AM ET. Saturday 2 May (Derby Day): 10:00 AM ET. Sunday 3 May: 11:30 AM ET. The schedule applies to all nine Winners venues across Connecticut.
What time is the Kentucky Derby and the Kentucky Oaks?
What time is the Kentucky Derby and the Kentucky Oaks?
The 152nd Kentucky Derby is Saturday 2 May with a post time of 6:57 PM ET. The Kentucky Oaks is Friday 1 May with a post time of approximately 8:40 PM ET — the last race of the Oaks Day card.
Can I bet the full Saturday Churchill card before Saturday?
Can I bet the full Saturday Churchill card before Saturday?
Yes — online only. Wagering on the full Saturday card opens at MyWinners.com from Friday morning. In venue on Friday, advance wagering is restricted to the Kentucky Derby (Race 12) only.
What time do Winners venues close on Friday and Saturday night of Kentucky Derby weekend?
What time do Winners venues close on Friday and Saturday night of Kentucky Derby weekend?
Friday: every venue stays open until the official and payoff of the Kentucky Oaks (approx. 9:00 PM ET).
Saturday: every venue stays open at least until the official and payoff of Churchill Race 14 (post time approx. 8:33 PM ET).
Can I cancel a bet placed by telebet or online during Derby Weekend?
Can I cancel a bet placed by telebet or online during Derby Weekend?
Telebet bets are final once the call ends — no cancellations after hang-up. Online bets of $750 or less can be cancelled up to one minute before post time, within your weekly cancellation limit.