Ways To Bet On The Kentucky Derby

Bet the Kentucky Derby online! No matter which horse you pick in the ‘Run for the Roses,’ Xpressbet is your way to bet horse racing online. Xpressbet offers legal wagering, live video and expert.

• How To Bet On The Kentucky Derby At A Party
• How To Bet On The Kentucky Derby
• How To Bet On The Kentucky Derby 2019

The Kentucky Derby is the most popular betting race in the United States. It’s the Super Bowl of horse racing and creates considerable media attention and interest from casual sports fans and bettors along with industry insiders and horsemen. Known as “The most exciting two minutes in sports,” the Kentucky Derby generates huge betting action as America’s most wagered-on horse race. The Sport of Kings has clearly generated an interest from the casual fan when it comes to the Kentucky Derby, as wagering records, live attendance and Derby telecast viewership are at all-time highs.

1. Get ready for 2020 Kentucky Derby betting, plus a recap on how Country House pulled off one of the greatest upsets in Kentucky Derby history.
2. The Kentucky Derby is a Grade I stakes race for 3 year-old Thoroughbred horses, held annually in Louisville, Kentucky, United States on the first Satu.

NBC’s Kentucky Derby coverage has averaged more than 14 million viewers each year since 2008. Fueled by a postrace inquiry and Country House’s controversial win, the 2019 race was the highest-rated Kentucky Derby Kentucky Derby since 2015 and third-most watched Derby since 1989 with 16.34 million viewers.

The 2020 Kentucky Derby broadcast on NBC saw a peak audience of 9.8 million, which is down from the 2019 race peak of 18.5 million.

The 2020 rescheduled Kentucky Derby in September drew a total betting handle of $79.4 million, down 52 percent from the record $165.5 million bet on the controversial 2019 Kentucky Derby. Still, the total amount bet on the 14-race Derby Day card was $128.3 million. That was better than any other race day in 2020, illustrating the Kentucky Derby’s unique position in the sport. The full-card amount, however, was down 48.9 percent compared to the record amount bet on the 2019 card.

An interesting note about the 2020 Kentucky Derby day card. Of the 14 races, just one post-time favorite won, sapping many bettors’ bankrolls.

How to bet on the Kentucky Derby

So how do you bet on the Kentucky Derby and get involved in the exciting action? Fans can wager legally at racetracks, simulcast centers such as Off Track Betting (OTB) Centers, and on advanced deposit wagering platforms such as TVG, where bettors in 31 states can legally bet on the race from their mobile devices and web browsers. People who bet online at TwinSpires wagered $30.2 million on the 2019 Kentucky Derby, up 23% over 2018. You can also wager on horse racing legally in the state of Nevada at the hundreds of casinos with race and sportsbooks.

Best online horse racing sites

Kentucky Derby odds 2021

Below are the current odds for the Kentucky Derby at William Hill sportsbooks in Nevada.

2021 Kentucky Derby race information

• Date: Saturday, May 1, 2021
• Time: 7:01 p.m. ET
• TV: NBC Sports Network
• Tablet, Online, Mobile: NBC Sports App and streamed live on NBCsports.com/live
• Track & Location: Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky
• Distance: 1 ¼ miles (10 furlongs)
• Surface: Dirt
• Horses: 3-Year-Old Thoroughbreds
• Track Record: Secretariat – 1:59.40 in 1973

Five horses to watch in 2021

The Kentucky Derby points standings will change considerably throughout the month of March and April leading into the May 1 Kentucky Derby. The development of some of the leading thoroughbreds is fascinating to watch as they race into their 3-year-old campaign.

Prevailing in the Run for the Roses on the first Saturday in May requires some good fortune in a potential 20 horse field. More importantly, to be a major contender, a horse must have a strong blend of stamina and speed. An early maturing profile is part of the process and buildup as trainers prepare their prized runners for the biggest race of their 3-year-old campaign.

Leading into the Championship Series races we see some horses that have already won some big races at age 2, and others starting to make their mark in other Road to the Kentucky Derby races.

Here are five horses to watch that have had some early success and continuing on the Derby trail. Stiffer competition awaits in late February, March and April as the excitement builds towards the the Kentucky Derby. We’ll update additional horses to watch as the competition gets tougher and the biggest races unfold on the Derby trail.

You can follow the Road to the Kentucky Derby points leaderboard for the top-20 points earners to qualify for the Kentucky Derby.

1. Essential Quality

Brad Cox-trained Essential Quality went 3-for-3 in 2020 with a pair of Grade 1 wins, including the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. The galloping gray son of Tapit, who won the 2004 Wood Memorial and ran in the Kentucky Derby. Essential Quality’s pedigree is stacked with classic influences, which makes the Derby distance of 1 ¼ miles a solid target for success. Essential Quality has been training consistently at the Fair Grounds and will make his 2021 debut in the rescheduled Southwest Stakes (G3) Feb. 27 at Oaklawn Park. He’ll likely follow up with a final prep race in the Louisiana Derby. As of late February, Essential Quality remains the clear leader in the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) Top 3-Year-Old Poll. Two other horses in the top 10 NTRA 3-year-old poll will challenge Essential Quality in the Southwest Stakes and are worth watching – Keepmeinmind and Jackie’s Warrior.

2. Life is Good

Like 2020 Kentucky Derby winner Authentic, Life Is Good is both trained by Bob Baffert and a son of Into Mischief. They also both won the Sham Stakes (G3), and Life Is Good is 2-for-2 after that win in early January and posted a 110 Equibase Speed Figure – the fastest of any Derby contender to date. Life Is Good will race next in the 1 1/16 mile San Felipe (G3) on March 6, and get his final Derby prep in the Santa Anita Derby (G1) on April 3. Life Is Good is No. 2 in the NTRA 3-Year-Old Poll. There is plenty of speed in the pedigree of Life Is Good, as Into Mischief was a talented sprinter/miler. But some mixed thoughts on stamina and distance remain. Until Authentic’s Derby win, most of Into Mischief’s progeny had topped out at 1 ⅛ miles or been more known as sprinters.

3. Mandaloun

Mandaloun is also sired by Into Mischief, and the Brad Cox-trained runner is 3-for-4 after winning the Grade II Risen Star Feb. 13 as the 2/1 favorite. Mandaloun turned the tables on Midnight Bourbon and Proxy, who finished 1-2 in the Lecomte Stakes (G3) when Mandaloun finished third as the favorite. In winning the 1 ⅛ mile Risen Star, Mandaloun showed enough speed to track the pace, and then showed solid stamina to dispose of his two main rivals down the stretch. The pedigree profile on the bottom half of Mandaloun’s breeding is stacked with classic stamina, making him one to watch on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.

4. Greatest Honour

Greatest Honour won the Holy Bull (G2) in his stakes debut Jan. 30. It was a visually impressive performance coming from off the pace and sweeping past a trio of runners before drawing away to win by nearly 6 lengths. The Shug McGaughey-trained son of Tapit possesses the speed and stamina to be a Kentucky Derby contender. Currently ranked No. 4 behind Mandaloun in the NTRA 3-Year-Old Poll, Greatest Honour has posted 103 and 106 Equibase Speed Figures in his last two races. He’ll need to continue his steady improvement under his ultra-patient Hall of Fame trainer, and will get his next chance to rise in the Fountain of Youth (G2) Feb. 27 at Gulfstream Park.

5. Concert Tour

Concert Tour is 2-for-2 with both wins this year as a 3-year-old. The Bob Baffert-trained son of 2007 Kentucky Derby winner Street Sense won the San Vicente (G2) in early February with a pace-pressing style while posting a 106 speed figure. Concert Tour has been training strong for his next race March 13 when Baffert ships him to Oaklawn Park to duel with Caddo River, another Derby contender. Concert Tour is bred to run longer and will be one to watch with a final prep likely in the Arkansas Derby as Baffert staggers his Derby runners across the major stakes races on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.

Lead-up prep races to the Kentucky Derby 2021

The 14 Championship Series races leading up to the Kentucky Derby will define the bulk of the 2021 Kentucky Derby field. Those races reward more recent form and run from mid-February to mid-April.

There are eight Championship Series races on the Road to the Kentucky Derby that award 100 qualifying points to the winner, 40 points to second place, 20 points to third and 10 points to fourth. The top two finishers will earn a spot in the starting gate for the Kentucky Derby if they have not already earned enough points. The 2021 Sunland Derby scheduled for March 30 has been cancelled, leaving six Championship Series races that award 50 points to the winner and the top four finishers receive qualifying points (50-20-10-5).

• Feb. 13: Risen Star * – Fair Grounds (Winner: Mandaloun)
• Feb. 27: Fountain of Youth * – Gulfstream Park
• March 6: Gotham Stakes * – Aqueduct
• March 6: Tampa Bay Derby * – Tampa Bay Downs
• March 6: San Felipe * – Santa Anita Park
• March 13: Rebel Stakes * – Oaklawn Park
• March 20: Louisiana Derby ** – Fair Grounds
• March 27: Jeff Ruby Stakes ** – Turfway Park
• March 27: Florida Derby ** – Gulfstream Park
• March 27: UAE Derby ** – Meydan Race Course
• April 3: Blue Grass ** – Keeneland
• April 3: Santa Anita Derby ** – Santa Anita Park
• April 3: Wood Memorial ** – Aqueduct
• April 10: Arkansas Derby ** – Oaklawn Park

*85 points race and 50 points to the winner
**170 points race and 100 points to the winner

Louisiana Derby

The last Louisiana Derby winner to win the Kentucky Derby was Grindstone (1996). The Kentucky Derby winner has not run in the Louisiana Derby in the last 17 years (Funny Cide, 2003).

Florida Derby

Recent Florida Derby winners that also won the Kentucky Derby include Always Dreaming (2017), Nyquist (2016), Orb (2013), Big Brown (2008), Barbaro (2006), Monarchos (2001), Thunder Gulch (1995).

UAE Derby

No recenty winners of the UAE Derby winners also won the Kentucky Derby.

Wood Memorial

Recent Wood Memorial winners that also won the Kentucky Derby include Fusaichi Pegasus (2000).

Blue Grass Stakes

Blue Grass Stakes winners that also won the Kentucky Derby include Spectacular Bid (1979).

Santa Anita Derby

Recent Santa Anita Derby winners that also won the Kentucky Derby include Justify (2018), California Chrome (2014), I’ll Have Another (2012).

Arkansas Derby

Recent Arkansas Derby winners that also won the Kentucky Derby include American Pharoah (2015), Smarty Jones (2004).

Watch how those horses perform and pay attention to their training, times, form and comments by the trainers in the biggest races leading into the Run for the Roses.

Types of wagers and bets

In addition to the traditional “straight” wagers (Win, Place, Show), fans can also attempt to cash big in the various “exotic” pools. Exacta (first two), Trifecta (first three), Superfecta (first four), and Super High Five (first five) wagering are all offered, and cashing a ticket in any of these pools can produce a bigger payday.

• Win: Bet on the horse you think you will win the Kentucky Derby.
• Place: Get paid the place price if your horse finishes first or second.
• Show: A show bet pays the least, but you win and get paid the show price if your horse finishes first, second or third.
• Exacta: Predict the first two horses in the correct order.
• Trifecta: Predict the first three horses in the correct order.
• Superfecta: Predict the first four horses in the correct order.
• Super High Five: Predict the first five horses in the correct order.

In 2018, Justify became the sixth consecutive favorite to win the Kentucky Derby. But the 2019 winner was 65-1 long shot Country House, who paid $132.40 to win on a $2 bet – the second-highest payout in Derby history. The race had a controversial finish when Maximum Security was disqualified for interference after crossing the finish line first. Code of Honor (14-1) was awarded 2nd place in the 2019 Derby to trigger a $2 exacta payout of $3,009.60.

Many racetracks, online sites and race and sportsbooks accept less than $2 bets on the exotic pools, so you can risk less. For example, you can place $1 exacta bets or 50-cent trifecta or even 10-cent superfecta bets at some locations. This allows you more betting options while including more horses at a lesser cost or risk.

An additional bet of interest is the Kentucky Oaks – Derby double in which you pick the winner of Friday’s $1 million Kentucky Oaks (for 3-year-old fillies) and Saturday’s $3 million Kentucky Derby. Those are the guaranteed purses for each race and in 2019 the prizes for the Kentucky Derby were:

• 1st place: $1,860,000
• 2nd place: $600,000
• 3rd place: $300,000
• 4th place: $150,000
• 5th place: $90,000

Picking a Kentucky Derby winner

Betting on horse racing has never been easier, but selecting a winner and predicting the puzzle in the exotic pools in search of a big payoff takes a little more time, skill and some racing luck. The 20 horses running in the Kentucky Derby is the largest field of any American race, and while the payouts are larger, it can be more difficult to handicap and determine the winner with so many factors to consider including each horse running 1 ¼ miles for the first time in their racing careers.

The Kentucky Derby has up to a maximum of 20 horses in the field, and those horses have qualified through 36 Kentucky Derby prep races in the United States and another seven races in Europe and four races in Japan.

There are many ways to handicap a horse race, and there is no shortage of opinions or angles when it comes to the handicapping the Kentucky Derby and the numerous prep races leading up to the Run for the Roses. From a beginners betting guide to the most sophisticated tools for informed handicappers, there are many pieces of information and betting guides to assist you in identifying a potential Kentucky Derby winner and narrowing the list of top contenders.

• Handicapping horses and the races takes much time, research and intuition. Beyond studying past performance charts and horse stats, speed figures, class ratings, tracks and bias, jockey and trainer stats, horse pedigree and even post position (Kentucky Derby Draw is Tuesday, April 27), a handicapper has to have insight and ability to find various ways to identify horses that are ready to win. You may not have time to study race videos, tracks, surfaces or find horses that had troubled trips in recent races. But it’s important to distill information that can help you identify horses that may offer some value next time out or others in good form or improving that can provide value wagering opportunities.
• Races and horses should be backed based on positive attributes and not as a result of who’s the best of the worst. As you study some of the betting guides and training tools, you’ll become better prepared and equipped to analyze races in a more meaningful way. That includes the Kentucky Derby and the prep races leading up to the Derby. Understanding ‘how’ a horse has run leading up to a race versus the far less important ‘where’ the horse finishes and ‘what’ time he/she completed their recent races will help you become more proficient.

Five biggest Kentucky Derby longshot winners ever

As we witnessed again in the 2019 Kentucky Derby when Country House won at 65-1 odds, there is no sure thing and nothing is certain in horse racing. The winning horse is not always the best horse, and in a field of 20 at the Kentucky Derby, a little bit of racing luck and a good trip makes for a better chance to win. Some of the biggest upsets in the history of the Kentucky Derby have made for some sensational stories.

1. Country House (2019)

In a historical reversal, Country House was declared the winner of the 145th running of the Kentucky Derby after an objection was filed, claiming that Maximum Security, who crossed the finish line first, had interfered with the path of multiple horses at the top of the stretch. Maximum Security was disqualified to 17^th place, allowing Country House to be declared the Kentucky Derby winner. At 65-1 odds, Country House became the second-longest shot to win the Kentucky Derby behind Donerail (91-1), who beat a field of eight in 1913. Jockey Flavien Prat and trainer Bill Mott both won their first Kentucky Derby with Country House, who paid $132.40 on a $2 win bet.

2. Go For Gin (1994)

At 9-1 odds, Go For Gin was not one of the biggest longshots to win the Kentucky Derby. But his victory was shocking as the 2-1 favorite Holy Bull looked too good to lose having won eight of nine races entering the Run for the Roses including more than six lengths better than Go For Gin in the Florida Derby. But Go For Gin took to a sloppy Churchill Downs surface following a torrential rain and stole the race on the front with Chris McCarron aboard replacing Jerry Bailey and splashing home to win by two lengths with the heavy favorite Holy Bull finishing twelfth.

3. Giacomo (2005)

Giacomo was able to succeed in the 2005 Kentucky Derby where his sire, Holy Bull, had failed in 1994. The gray colt came from 18^th at the three-quarter pole and rallied desperately with jockey Mike Smith aboard at odds of 50-1 to win a thrilling finish in the final strides by a half-length over fellow long shot Closing Argument (71-1). Giacomo actually denied a Triple Crown bid with his late charge as Afleet Alex won the Preakness and Belmont after finishing a close 3^rd in the Kentucky Derby. Giacamo won the Derby with only a maiden win to his credit and a fourth place finish in his final Derby prep.

4. Mine That Bird (2009)

Mine That Bird was one of five horses at 50-1 odds and sat dead last in the Derby field of 19 through three quarter miles. Then jockey Calvin Borel got the son of Birdstone to rush up along the rail and the Canadian colt blew by the field on a sloppy track to win by nearly seven lengths over Pioneer of the Nile in an epic upset. Mine That Bird went on to finish 2^nd in the Preakness and 3^rd in the Belmont, but did not win a race in his final nine starts following the shocking Kentucky Derby win, which paid $103.40 on a $2 win bet.

5. Thunder Gulch (1995)

Thunder Gulch entered the Kentucky Derby as an accomplished 3-year old having won the Fountain of Youth and Florida Derby. But a 4^th place finish in the Blue Grass Stakes as the favorite three weeks before the Derby had handicappers questioning trainer D. Wayne Lukas’ fine colt. Bettors would regret severely overlooking this live longshot at 24-1. When jockey Pat Day decided to ride the Derby favorite Timber Country (3^rd), Lukas turned to jockey Gary Stevens. The rest is history, and at 24-1 odds, it’s shocking a Florida Derby winner could go off at those long odds. Thunder Gulch remained within striking distance at the top of the stretch and put away the field by 2 ½ lengths over closers Tejano Run and Timber Country with the front-running filly and favorite Serena’s Song fading to finish sixteenth. Thunder Gulch finished 2^nd in the Preakness before winning the Belmont and Travers Stakes.

Honorable mention: Gallahadian (35-1) in 1940 over 2-5 favorite Bimelech, who went on to win the Preakness and Belmont. Gato Del Sol (21-1) in 1982, Charismatic (31-1) in 1999 and Animal Kingdom (21-1) in 2011 after the favorite Uncle Mo scratched out of the race.

Kentucky Derby history: betting odds and winners

The KentuckyDerby is one of the most well-established and popular horse races in the US. If there was any race that best exemplified the stakes and excitement of betting, then this race is absolutely it.

The Kentucky Derby is one of the few horse races around the world that can attract casual fans and seasoned veterans alike. Even people who don’t usually care about horse racing, can’t help but feel the excitement in the air when the mint juleps come out.

Horse race betting is known as the “Sport of Kings” to hardcore fans and industry veterans.

However, no horse race generates more wagers and bets than the Kentucky Derby. Everybody’s got a horse that they want to bet on, with those who usually don’t look twice at horse races likely to have a flutter come post-time.

With the internet helping to spread the news and excitement worldwide, attendance and interest in the Kentucky Derby have never been higher.

These days, millions of people watch “the most exciting two minutes in sports” unfold on the track every year.

For anybody interested in hitting it big on the next TripleCrown winner, the time has never been better to cast a bet on the Derby.

Helping you along the way, our handy guide below is going to run you through the ins and outs of America’s most famous horse race.

Best betting sites for the Kentucky Derby

Betting on horse racing has traditionally been an in-person activity.

You know the deal: You walk up to a counter, hand over your betting slip and, hopefully, come back and collect your winnings soon after.

Fortunately, the internet has made it so that you don’t have to trek hundreds of miles to place your bets anymore. Plenty of great horse racing websites will allow you to watch the biggest races and cast your bets remotely.

Also, they will provide the information you need to win big. The following contains how you can watch the races and place your wagers.

The Kentucky Derby is not the only race you can do this. In fact, hundreds of tracks from around the world can be spectated and bet upon throughout the year. These sites are subsequently designed so that even novice and first-time bettors can easily get involved in the excitement.

Sign up, collect any bonuses along the way and you’re good to go.

It is essential to check the gambling laws in your state before you place bets. Not all states allow people to place online bets on horse races, or to gamble at off-track facilities (OTB).

But, once you know that, you can dive right in and start playing the ponies.

How to bet on the Kentucky Derby

The Kentucky Derby is certainly a big-time horse race. So, it’s only right that you have a few ways to get in on the betting action.

Online betting

Gambling laws vary from one state to the next, but betting on horse races is legal in the vast majority of the US.

Meanwhile, it’s totally legal across Canada and the UnitedKingdom. This aspect is primarily true of online gambling as well, which is typically subject to similar scrutiny.

Online gambling seems like a brand-new activity. Nevertheless, it is merely a different method of doing what has been done for thousands of years. Moving with the times, betting on horse racing has galloped online and never looked back.

Thank your lucky stars.

After all, the best online betting sites out there mean you no longer have to travel to the racetrack to place bets. It can be done right in the comfort of your home, all with real money.

There are thousands of sites to choose from, too. Therefore, make sure to be discerning when deciding where to gamble your hard-earned money. Furthermore, the odds change as fast as the jockeys, so keep your eyes peeled.

Betting at the teller

Of course, there’s nothing wrong with going to the track to place your bets.

Sure, you can still feel the excitement of gambling your money at home, but it doesn’t give you the thrill of watching the action unfold — even if it’s a hassle to get there.

If you haven’t spoken to a teller before, then here’s what you need to do to place your bet competently.

Describe your bet to the teller in this order:

1. The racetrack.
2. The racenumber (If you are placing a bet on a different track than the one you are currently visiting.)
3. The amount you are betting.
4. What specific kind of wager you are placing.
5. The program number of the horse you’re betting on.

One example of this would be, “Kentucky Derby, Race One, $30 to win on No. 3.”

After this, you’ll receive a ticket. Be sure to hold on to this ticket because if you win, you’ll need to claim your prize in-person.

Off track betting

Off-track betting (OTB) is an option if you aren’t able to make it to the location, but want to place bets in a physical faction and feel the thrill of being surrounded by fellow punters.

Off-track locations are functionally the same as on-track locations and provide the same risk, reward and rush.

A typical example of OTBs is within a casino, the likes of which you’ll find on the Las Vegas Strip.

The same setup applies, too: Stroll up to the teller, tell them your bet and then wait for the result of the race.

There’s always excitement to be had and fortunes to be made, regardless of whether you decide to bet from the comfort of your home or at a major horse racing field.

Read on to discover all the information you need to place your bets and win big.

Is it legal to bet on the Kentucky Derby?

Of course. Betting on horse races is entirely legal in the US, in a similar fashion to how it’s legal in Canada and the UK.

The Interstate Horse Racing Act of 1978 was passed under presidentJimmyCarter. So, this means that at the federal level, horse betting isn’t illegal.

Revisions to the law in 2006 were designed so that the horse betting industry was left alone.

The states are allowed to decide if they want to offer horse betting or not. Currently, 41statesallow people to bet on horse races in some way, with different levels of leeway and access.

In the meantime, more states are relaxing rules related to horse racing betting.

Types of bets you can place on the Kentucky Derby

The most popular option for gamblers is to wager on the “holytrifecta” of horse racing: win, place and show.

How To Bet On The Kentucky Derby At A Party

Some enjoy shaking things up and placing bets on more unusual pools.

Popular choices include exacta (first two placings), trifecta (first three placings), superfecta (first four placings) and super high five (first five placings).

The odds of winning these pools are much lower. However, this also means that the potential wins from these pools are significantly higher than for traditional wagers — more risk, more reward, as the old saying goes.

The following list contains more details on the type of wagers you can make when slapping down a bet on the Derby:

• Win: Place a wager on the horse you think is going to finish first in the race.
• Place: You place a wager on a horse, and win its place price if it finished first or second.
• Show: Bet upon the horse that you think will finish third place or better (fourth or even fifth or better if you can find the right bookie). This wager carries the lowest level of risk, which means that your winnings will be smaller.
• Exacta: Determine the first two placing horses in the correct order.
• Trifecta: Determine the first three placing horses in the correct order.
• Superfecta: Determine the first four placing horses in the correct order.
• Super High Five: Determine the first five placing horses in the correct order. This bet carries the highest possible win ratio, as well as the lowest chance of winning.

An example bet

Here is an example of how these wagers will pay out.

Back in 2017, the horse AlwaysDreaming was the favorite to win the Kentucky Derby. He had 9:2 odds to win and paid $11.40 on a $2 wager.

If a 33:1 longshot horse were to finish second, a $2 exacta payoff would net a return of $336.

A 40:1 longshot finishing third would yield a trifectapayoff of $16,594.

A superfecta payout would jump even higher to a dizzying amount of $151,949. As you can see, increasing the number of horses you bet on exponentially multiplies the chances of racking up a massive payday.

The majority of websites and racetracks will accept wagers of under $2 on exotic pools, due to their low odds of winning.

A typical example is being able to place a $1 exacta bet, or even a 50-cent trifecta bet. This bet is useful for gamblers who want to minimize their risk or don’t have a lot of money to spend.

And, as you can see, even small bets placed on these pools can yield colossal returns. In other words, you don’t need to bet big to walk away with stacks of cash.

There are several important factors to consider when it comes to betting on horse races. These include the race, field, what type of bet to make, your budget and most importantly, your appetite for risk.

Kentucky Derby Futures

You don’t have to wait until May to bet on the Kentucky Derby. There are seven opportunities to place a Kentucky Derby futures bet. This type of bet is essentially predicting which horse will make it to the Kentucky Derby starting gate. You should get a better price than betting on the actual event itself, since its not known whether or not that horse will actually make it.

2020 Kentucky Derby Future Wager Dates

November 28-December 1, 2019 (CLOSED)
Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 1

November 28-December 1, 2019 (CLOSED)
Kentucky Derby Sire Wager

February 7-9, 2020
Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 2

March 6-8, 2020
Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 3

March 6-8, 2020
Kentucky Oaks Future Wager Pool 1

March 6-8, 2020
Kentucky Oaks/Derby Double Future Wager

April 3-5, 2020
Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 4

Kentucky Derby odds

The Kentucky Derby is the most ferocious and hotly contested event on the horse racing calendar. Some years it’s too close to call, and other years, a favorite breaks away from the pack.

Either way, thrills and spills are guaranteed.

If you have your eye on this year’s field, here’s a look at the runners and riders, along with the odds you’ll get for backing them.

Past winners of the Kentucky Derby

The Kentucky Derby is a horse race steeped in glamour and tradition.

If you asked Meriwether Lewis Clark Jr. what would become of his first horse races, he would not believe that the Kentucky Derby would grow to become a national phenomenon.

Ever since its establishment in 1875, the racetrack known as ChurchillDowns has become the go-to for the nation’s most exciting horse race.

The Kentucky Derby is known as “the most exciting two minutes in sports” to aficionados around the world.

A vital part of the Derby’s persistent success is its remarkable consistency over the years. The Kentucky Derby has never failed to hold a race each year, even during the GreatDepression and World Wars I and II.

For a long time, the Derby was its self-contained race. But in the 1920s, it was merged as part of a larger group.

It joined the Preakness and Belmont Stakes races to produce what is known as the TripleCrown, the most prestigious award for any 3-year-old racehorse to win.

More than 140 horses have won the Kentucky Derby since its inceptions.

Meanwhile, many more people have gotten rich betting on them. How many winners can you name?

‘The road to the Kentucky Derby’

In order to qualify for the KY Derby, each horse must participate in what is known as “The Road to the Kentucky Derby.”

This “road” is a set of 45 races that take place around the world.

Horses receive points based upon the position in which they finish. The top 20 horses at the end of the races are subsequently awarded a spot in the Kentucky Derby.

The purse size for the Derby is a cool $2 million, with the vast majority going to the winner.

Per tradition, the Kentucky Derby takes place on the first Saturday in May. The stadium at Churchill Downs is capable of holding tens of thousands of people. Needless to say, millions more will be watching from around the world.

Since the creation of the Triple Crown a hundred years ago, the Kentucky Derby is the first of the three major horse races. The PreaknessStakes is second, and the BelmontStakes is last.

It’s safe to say, of all three races the Kentucky Derby takes top billing. However, horses and jockeys need to be made of stern stuff even to make it to the starting gate.

After all, “the road to the Kentucky Derby” isn’t afraid to throw down the gauntlet.

How the Kentucky Derby runs

The Kentucky Derby is presented by WoodfordReserve, which is a regional maker of bourbon whiskey. Like other major races, a big-name sponsor is a must.

The Kentucky Derby is a Grade 1 race exclusively for 3-year-old thoroughbred horses. The track is exactly 1.25 miles long, and the race is run at the Churchill Downs Racetrack located in Louisville, KY.

Colts and geldings are limited to carrying 126 pounds of weight, and fillies are limited to 121 pounds. This is done to ensure that the conditions that the horses race under are relatively consistent.

Twenty horses compete on the track at any given time. That’s considerably higher than the eight that race on a typical horse track.

How to watch the Kentucky Derby on TV or via live stream

The next Kentucky Derby will be May 2, 2020, with more than 20 million people expected to watch from around the world. Additional races, such as the KentuckyOaks, will also be broadcast online.

NBCSports is typically the best channel to view these events on, due to the comprehensive level of coverage it offers to American audiences.

The NBC Sports Live app is also a good option if you are viewing the races on a mobile device. Fortunately, you don’t have to miss the Kentucky Derby even if you’re on the go.

Hardcore fans (or anyone that wants to get the edge on rival punters) might also be interested in viewing the Kentucky Derby Contender workouts for the qualifying thoroughbreds.

This is broadcast daily in the months preceding the Derby. You can watch these broadcasts through the official Kentucky Derby Twitter and Facebook accounts or rebroadcasts. You can’t bet on these, but you can get a good feel for which horses will win come race time.

History of the Kentucky Derby

Horse racing has been a part of the American consciousness since shortly after the Revolutionary era.

In the late 1700s, horse racetracks were constructed around Louisville, which was a small town of only 200 people. These tracks did not host the professional races we know today, and primarily catered to local audiences.

It wasn’t until the 1870s that the racing organizations of today would be formed.

Humble origins in the 1870s

In 1872, Lewis Clark traveled to England to witness the EpsomDerby, a famous horse race that had been held yearly since the year 1780.

After being impressed with what he saw, he traveled to Paris. Here, seven years earlier, the French Jockey Club had organized the first Grand Prix de Paris, which would later develop into the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. From this point on, it’s clear that Clark was inspired to create his own horse race in a similar vein.

Lewis Clark realized that the US, despite an already-established history of horse racing, had no such organization. He remedied that by founding the Louisville Jockey Club. The organization was then tasked with upgrading the humble racing fields that had been outside Louisville for nearly a century.

His most significant acquisition was the plot of land that would later become Churchill Downs. The racetrack was named in honor of his relatives, John and Henry Churchill. The track would not receive its modern name until 1937.

The first Kentucky Derby in 1875

The original length of the Kentucky Derby was 1.5 miles, which was the same distance as the Grand Prix de Paris and Epsom Derby. The race was later shortened to 1.25 miles in 1896, where it has stayed ever since.

The first Kentucky Derby was held on May 17, 1875, in front of a boisterous crowd of more than 10,000 people.

Fifteen horses participated in the race, with the winner being AnselWilliamson. His jockey was the now-famous OliverLewis. His impressive performance would continue at the Belmont Stakes, where he placed second.

The Kentucky Derby was an immediate hit with people from all over the East Coast. However, the track was not well-maintained in its early years, owing to a lack of funds.

In 1894, the New Louisville Jockey Club was then founded to bring in much-needed revenue for renovation and expansion. The organization met with little success until 1902, when Colonel Matt Winn organized several local business people to acquire Churchill Downs. This acquisition proved to be the breath of life it needed.

The Kentucky Derby then re-emerged stronger and more popular than ever before.

Kentucky Derby traditions

The traditions surrounding the Kentucky Derby are almost as well-known as the race itself.

The mint julep is the world-famous drink that is traditionally served at the track. The mint julep traditionally consists of a mint leaf, Kentucky bourbon, shaved ice and sweetened syrup.

Additionally, the Kentucky Derby is where you can find people in fancy dresses, umbrellas and clothing befitting a fine 19th-century, upper-class dandy.

The race is also known as the “Run for the Roses.”

This tradition dates back to 1883 when the wealthy New York City socialite E. Berry Wall presented some of the women attending the event with roses.

Lewis Clark was attending the event at the time, and it inspired him to make the rose the event’s official flower. By 1896, giving the winner of the races a wreath of flowers became established as one of the Kentucky Derby’s many famous traditions.

Part of the Triple Crown

The Kentucky Derby is the best-known as one of the three Triple Crown races.

But for jockeys competing at the Derby, it’s the first of three races they must run. A few weeks after the Kentucky Derby ends, the PreaknessStakes takes place at the Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore.

This race is followed by the BelmontStakes, which takes place in Elmont, NY. These three races feature a combined purse, as well as a special award that goes to the winner of all three races: the legendary Triple Crown.

The first horse to win all three races was SirBarton in 1919. However, winning all three races wasn’t known as the Triple Crown until 1930.

How To Bet On The Kentucky Derby

The winner that year was GallantFox, and his jockey CharlesHatton made the term known to the general public. The public went wild with the idea that a horse could place first in every race.

To better facilitate the new Triple Crown, the Kentucky Derby was subsequently moved to the first Saturday in May from its original timeslot of mid-May. This shift also meant that gamblers didn’t have to wait as long to place their bets.

In 1952, the Kentucky Derby was aired on TV for the first time, bringing the race to a broader audience than ever before.

How To Bet On The Kentucky Derby 2019

Fast-forward to present day, and the Kentucky Derby is one of the can’t-miss sporting events of the year.