Kentucky Derby betting grips the country every spring. The eyes of the horse racing world gaze upon Churchill Downs on the first Saturday in May for the country’s most famous horse race.
Some of the best online sportsbooks offer fantastic horse racing betting promos on Derby Day. Here at Winners and Whiners, we’ve compiled the best Kentucky Derby betting sites and all the information you’ll need ahead of the Run for the Roses. If you’re looking for useful knowledge as you construct your Kentucky Derby bets, you’ve come to the right place.
Sports betting offers are not available this state.
2024 Kentucky Derby: Quick Facts
🏆 Winner: Mystik Dan
📆 Date: Saturday, May 4
🌎 Location: Churchill Downs; Louisville, Ky.
🏇 Distance: 1 1/4 miles
🐴 Number of horses: 20 3-year-olds
💰 2024 Kentucky Derby purse: $5 million
2024 Kentucky Derby field
| PP | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | ML Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Dornoch | Danny Gargan | Luis Saez | 20-1 |
| #2 | Sierra Leone | Chad Brown | Tyler Gaffalione | 3-1 |
| #3 | Mystik Dan (WINNER) | Ken McPeek | Brian Hernandez, Jr. | 20-1 |
| #4 | Catching Freedom | Brad Cox | Flavien Prat | 8-1 |
| #5 | Catalytic | Saffie Joseph, Jr. | Jose Ortiz | 30-1 |
| #6 | Just Steel | D. Wayne Lukas | Keith Asmussen | 20-1 |
| #7 | Honor Marie | Whit Beckman | Ben Curtis | 20-1 |
| #8 | Just a Touch | Brad Cox | Florent Geroux | 10-1 |
| #9 | Encino | Brad Cox | Axel Concepcion | SCRATCHED |
| #10 | T O Password | Daisuke Takayanagi | Kazushi Kimura | 30-1 |
| #11 | Forever Young | Yoshito Yahagi | Ryusei Sakai | 10-1 |
| #12 | Track Phantom | Steve Asmussen | Joel Rosario | 20-1 |
| #13 | West Saratoga | Larry Demeritte | Jesus Castanon | 50-1 |
| #14 | Endlessly | Michael McCarthy | Umberto Rispoli | 30-1 |
| #15 | Domestic Product | Chad Brown | Irad Ortiz, Jr. | 30-1 |
| #16 | Grand Mo the First | Victor Barboza, Jr. | Emisael Jaramillo | 50-1 |
| #17 | Fierceness | Todd Pletcher | John Velazquez | 5/2 |
| #18 | Stronghold | Phil D’Amato | Antonio Fresu | 20-1 |
| #19 | Resilience | Bill Mott | Junior Alvarado | 20-1 |
| #20 | Society Man | Danny Gargan | Frankie Dettori | 50-1 |
| #21 | Epic Ride | John Ennis | Adam Beschizza | 30-1 |
| #22 | Mugatu | Jeff Engler | Joe Talamo | SCRATCHED |
Legal states for Kentucky Derby betting
Most states allow horse racing betting, either at in-state racetracks or through online betting sites. A few states have certain regulations you must follow. For instance, those in Texas may only wager on-site at racetracks, and those in Nevada must go to retail outlets.
Currently, horse racing betting is illegal in Alaska, Georgia, Hawaii, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Utah. Up until recently, it was also illegal in North Carolina. However, horse racing betting was part of the NC online sports betting legislation, which passed in 2023 and set the stage for a launch that came in March of 2024.
How to sign up for a Kentucky Derby betting site
To make sure you’ll be able to place your Kentucky Derby bets on race day, you’ll need to create an account. Signing up for an online racebook is easy.
First, go to your racebook of choice and select the “create account” option. You may need to verify your age, as states limit betting to those 18 and older. If the site in question offers a promo code, there will be a way to enter that when signing up. Don’t miss the chance to do that and enhance your Kentucky Derby betting experience!
Once your account is created, you’ll need to make an initial deposit. Kentucky Derby betting sites often offer multiple ways to do this to accommodate the needs and desires of every user. After you make your initial deposit, you’ll be set to bet on the Kentucky Derby!
How to bet on the Kentucky Derby
There are many different ways to bet on the Kentucky Derby. Figuring out the best Kentucky Derby betting strategy for you is key to making the smartest wagers possible and getting the most bang for your buck.
Ready to analyze the Kentucky Derby odds? Here are some of the Kentucky Derby bets you can make.
- Win bets: As simple as it sounds, these involve betting on horses to finish first.
- Place bets: These pay out if your horse runs first or second.
- Show bets: These pay out if your horse runs first, second, or third.
- Exacta bets: The first of the “exotics” bets is where things get complicated. Exactas involve predicting the top two finishers, and with all exotics wagers, you can “box” multiple horses to buy more combinations. For example, if you box horses 1 and 2, you get the 1-2 and 2-1 combinations.
- Trifecta bets: Predict the top three finishers.
- Superfecta bets: Predict the top four finishers.
How We Review Kentucky Derby Betting Apps
Our reviews of Kentucky Derby betting sites account for multiple different factors. All of them allow users to find the best Kentucky Derby betting experience possible, and here is our full list.
Kentucky Derby Bonuses
Do these horse racing betting apps offer bonuses focusing on America’s most famous horse race? If so, how accessible are these bonuses to bettors of all bankrolls and experience levels?
Variety of Odds
Do betting sites offer a wide range of fair Kentucky Derby odds?
Sportsbook Reputation
Are Kentucky Derby betting sites reputable? Do they follow state and federal guidelines for bettor protections, responsible gambling, etc.? Do they have ample customer support options in the event users have questions or concerns?
Banking Options
Are there plenty of ways for users to deposit and withdraw funds from Kentucky Derby betting sites? Are these ways convenient, and are these deposits and withdrawals reflected immediately?
Picking a Kentucky Derby winner
Picking a winner on Kentucky Derby betting sites can seem challenging. The Derby boasts a field of 20 3-year-olds, going a distance they’ve never run before, in front of more than 100,000 screaming fans. Here, though, we’ll give you some tips on how to find your Kentucky Derby horse.
Dive deeper into Kentucky Derby prep races
As mentioned, horses that race in the Kentucky Derby have earned their ways there with performances in prior races. Many of them have run against one another in the past. Watch replays (most Kentucky Derby betting sites will have a replay section or YouTube channel) and see if there’s anything you can spot.
Watch the weather
It’s spring, so rain is definitely a possibility. If that happens, look at your program and see which horses have run well over wet tracks. Those horses could move forward at higher Kentucky Derby odds and provide significant value.
Don’t ignore the humans
Many high-profile trainers and jockeys have enjoyed considerable Kentucky Derby success in previous years. Trainers often know how to get a horse to peak on the first Saturday in May, and jockeys with winning Kentucky Derby experience can often work out better trips for the horses they ride.
Kentucky Derby FAQs
Which is the best Kentucky Derby betting app?
There are several Kentucky Derby betting sites you can choose from, and they all have their pros and cons. Creating multiple accounts will allow you to participate in multiple Kentucky Derby betting promos and find the betting experience that’s right for you.
How is the favorite for the Kentucky Derby chosen?
A horse’s odds reflect its support at the betting windows. The more money a horse takes at a Kentucky Derby betting site, the lower its odds will be come post time, and vice versa. Traditionally, the Kentucky Derby favorite is a horse that has won multiple prep races and is seen by the public as the most likely to win.
What is the most successful Kentucky Derby post position?
Since 1930, horses from post position #5 have won the most Kentucky Derby renewals, with 10 wins. Horses from posts #8 and #10 have each won nine, while horses from posts #1 and #7 have won eight.
Is betting on the Kentucky Derby worth it?
It’s definitely a challenge. However, the possible payoff is much larger than a standard sports bet, and that’s reflected in the Kentucky Derby odds. If you’re right, you’ll get paid for it, and you may be able to get paid two weeks later, too. Preakness Stakes betting comes on the third weekend of May and usually features several Derby horses running back!
