When is the 2026 Kentucky Derby?

The Kentucky Derby in 2026 will be held on Saturday, May 2, 2026.

Where is the Kentucky Derby?

The Kentucky Derby is held at Churchill Downs in Louisville.

Who won the 2025 Kentucky Derby?

Sovereignty won the race in 2025.

How many horses compete in the Kentucky Derby?

The Kentucky Derby typically features 20 horses in the starting gate.

How many people attend the Kentucky Derby each year?

The Kentucky Derby typically featurThe Kentucky Derby typically draws between 150,000 and 160,000 spectators to Churchill Downs each year.es 20 horses in the starting gate.

How long is the race?

The Kentucky Derby is run at a distance of 1¼ miles (10 furlongs).

Who is the favorite to win the 2026 Kentucky Derby?

The favorite for the 2026 Kentucky Derby will become clear as the race approaches.

Is it possible to bet on the race from a mobile device?

Of course! All of the offshore sportsbooks we feature on OSB have mobile-optimized pages.

Which are the best sportsbooks for betting the Kentucky Derby?

You can confidently place bets with any of the sportsbooks we've mentioned right here on this page.

Do sportsbooks offer promotions for betting on the Kentucky Derby?

This varies from sportsbook to sportsbook, but many sites offer specific promos and bonuses ahead of big-money events such as the Kentucky Derby.

Kentucky Derby Best Betting Sites 2026

Best Betting Sites for the Kentucky Derby 2026

There are few sporting events as instantly recognizable as the Kentucky Derby, a race so steeped in tradition it has earned the nickname the most exciting two minutes in sports. Run every year since 1875 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, the Derby sits at the center of American horse racing culture and has grown into one of the biggest single day wagering events of the year. For fans interested in Kentucky Derby betting, the combination of history, unpredictability, and massive fields makes it unlike any other race on the calendar.

From first time bettors to seasoned horseplayers, betting the Kentucky Derby draws attention from all corners of the sports betting world. Online Sports Betting covers the full picture of betting on Kentucky Derby markets, including early futures, race day odds, exotic wagers, and practical strategy for navigating one of the deepest betting boards in racing. With so many runners and betting angles, online Kentucky Derby betting rewards preparation and smart line shopping more than almost any other event.

The race is also the centerpiece of a multi week festival that takes over the city of Louisville, regularly drawing crowds of 150000 to 160000 spectators and making it the best attended horse race in North America. Contested at the classic distance of a mile and a quarter, the Kentucky Derby holds Grade 1 status, features a multi million dollar purse, and is restricted to three year old Thoroughbreds. Colts and fillies are eligible to compete, although a filly has only won three times in the race’s long history. Betting Kentucky Derby markets will once again take center stage when the race returns on Saturday 2 May 2026.

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.

Early futures markets often highlight winners of major prep races like the Santa Anita Derby and Florida Derby, along with international contenders from Japan and elsewhere. These horses frequently emerge as well-fancied choices heading into the Kentucky Derby, especially if they boast pedigrees tied to past champions such as Triple Crown winner American Pharoah.

Check out the 2026 odds in the table below:

Kentucky Derby Winners Odds 2026
Journalism	TBA	TBA	TBA
Sovereignty	TBA	TBA	TBA
Sandman	TBA	TBA	TBA
Rodriguez	TBA	TBA	TBA
Burnham Square	TBA	TBA	TBA
Luxor Cafe	TBA	TBA	TBA
Citizen Bull	TBA	TBA	TBA
Grande	TBA	TBA	TBA
East Avenue	TBA	TBA	TBA
Publisher	TBA	TBA	TBA
Tiztastic	TBA	TBA	TBA
Neoequos	TBA	TBA	TBA
Final Gambit	TBA	TBA	TBA

Last updated on: February 3, 2026

Best Kentucky Derby Bets 2026

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!