Kentucky Derby Odds
Kentucky Derby odds will move all the way until the time of the race. But, top online betting sites will let you bet the Kentucky Derby days and even weeks in advance. That way, you can lock in a better price than you’ll get on race day just by placing a bet, and you’ll know the odds you bet will be the odds you get when your horse wins.
The likely favorite is Santa Anita Derby winner Journalism, who has passed every test against a deep West Coast contingent. Other well-fancied horses include Florida Derby winner Sovereignty as well as Japan-based Luxor Cafe, a son of Triple Crown winner American Pharoah.
Last updated on: April 28, 2025
Best Kentucky Derby Bets 2025
As the race draws closer and post positions and past performances are finalized, we will have even more expert picks for the race. But, with futures markets already open, you may want to bet now at your favorite online sportsbook to try to lock in a price better than you will get in pari-mutuel pools!
So, here are the best early contenders for the Kentucky Derby. As the race gets closer, we will show you even more information about the Kentucky Derby best bets, because an informed bettor is a good bettor!
Kentucky Derby FAQs
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The Kentucky Derby is typically run on the first Saturday in May. The 2025 Kentucky Derby will run on Saturday, May 3.
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Every year since 1875, the Kentucky Derby has been run under the twin spires of Churchill Downs Racetrack in Louisville, Kentucky.
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The 2025 Kentucky Derby will be on the NBC family of networks, both on conventional TV and their streaming service Peacock. Early coverage will run from 12:30 pm-2:30 pm EDT on NBCSN, then the Kentucky Derby will air on NBC from 2:30 pm-7:30 pm EDT on NBC.
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Mystik Dan won the race in 2024.
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20 horses can run in the Kentucky Derby. Four more horses can go on the also-eligible list and draw in if someone in the main field scratches before local betting begins at 9:00 am EDT the day before the Kentucky Derby. But, only the 20 horses with the most points are guaranteed a spot.
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150,000 or more people come to Churchill Downs for the Kentucky Derby. The attendance record came in 2015 when 170,513 people saw American Pharoah win the first jewel of the Triple Crown.
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The second and third races of the Triple Crown are the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes. In 2024 the Preakness will be run at Pimlico on Saturday, May 18. The 2024 Belmont will be run on Saturday, June 8 at Saratoga, since Belmont Park is under construction.
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The Kentucky Derby winner earns $3 million from the $5 million Kentucky Derby purse.
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The Kentucky Derby distance is a mile and a quarter, regarded as the Classic distance in the United States. That is equal to ten furlongs, or 2012 meters.
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Journalism is the hot favorite in all the Kentucky Derby markets, after an impressive win in the Santa Anita Derby. He has faced strong California competition and stood up to every challenge.
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Thanks to the internet, everybody can enjoy betting the Kentucky Derby from the comfort of their own home. Players can use any online device like a desktop computer, laptop, tablet, or smartphone to wager on the Kentucky Derby from an online sportsbook or racebook.
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There are two ways to bet the Kentucky Derby on a mobile device. One way is to use the smartphone’s browser to access the sportsbook website, read through the wagers and odds, and place a bet.
Many sportsbooks also offer mobile apps. After downloading and installing them to their smartphones, bettors can enjoy one-tap access to a full-featured wagering experience designed exclusively for mobile.
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Choosing the right place for betting on the Kentucky Derby can be daunting since there are so many options online. Don’t make that important decision alone! Our sportsbook reviews feature independent evaluations by betting experts, so bettors can make an educated decision about which sportsbook gives them the best features, odds, and promotions for their needs.
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Most online sportsbooks offer a broad range of promotions including deposit bonuses and rebates. Many racebooks offer a horse racing rebate, paid off every day, whether bets win or lose. The rebate varies but is typically between 7-15% of a player’s betting volume.
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Most online sportsbooks do not yet have streaming agreements for the Kentucky Derby. Bettors should check in closer to the Kentucky Derby to see if their sportsbook of choice has negotiated a streaming agreement.
NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app will offer live streaming coverage of the Kentucky Derby. Players can use these to watch the race live while placing Kentucky Derby bets at their favorite sportsbooks.
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Online sportsbooks offer a full range of betting options on the Kentucky Derby. Those include traditional horse racing bets like win, place, and show as well as the kinds of prop bets and event bets that bettors previously had to travel to Las Vegas to make. Popular bets on the Kentucky Derby include:
- Win
- Place
- Show
- Daily Double
- Pick 3
- Pick 4
- Exacta
- Quinella
- Trifecta
- Superfecta