Betting the Kentucky Derby
If you cannot attend the race in person, using an online racebook such as Bovada is one of the most convenient ways to bet on the Kentucky Derby. Leading offshore racebooks provide competitive odds, flexible wagering options, and occasional incentives such as deposit bonuses or wagering rebates. Comparing features before signing up can help maximize long term value, especially for bettors planning to wager across multiple Triple Crown races.
The Kentucky Derby attracts nearly $150 million in annual handle and is famously unpredictable, with 20 horses typically breaking from the gate. Large fields often produce dramatic payouts, including superfectas that have reached into the tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars. While favorites have won 52 of 145 runnings, longshots such as Country House at 65-1 and Mine That Bird at 50-1 highlight the race’s volatility. Since the Road to the Kentucky Derby points system was introduced in 2012, outcomes have become slightly more form driven, but the Derby remains one of the most wide open betting events in all of sports.
Betting the Preakness Stakes
Betting on the Preakness Stakes presents a different dynamic than the Kentucky Derby, as favorites have historically performed well, winning roughly half of all editions. That said, the betting picture can shift quickly depending on the Derby outcome. The Kentucky Derby winner is often installed as the Preakness favorite, even if they were a longshot two weeks earlier. If the Derby winner skips the race or is sidelined, the betting focus typically turns to the strongest finisher from Louisville outside of the winner.
Handicapping the Preakness can be challenging due to the unique characteristics of Pimlico Race Course. The track operates for a limited window each year, giving bettors less current data to analyze compared to other venues. Weather can also play a significant role, as rain is common and may alter track conditions, affecting pace scenarios and reshaping the odds board leading up to post time.
Betting the Belmont Stakes
Betting on the Belmont Stakes presents a unique challenge compared to the first two legs of the Triple Crown. Run at 1 1/2 miles, it is the longest of the three races, and most horses in the field have never competed at that distance before and rarely will again. Because of this, handicapping the Belmont requires close attention to pedigree, stamina indicators, and how a horse handled the 1 1/4 mile Kentucky Derby if they previously ran in it.
The Belmont has a long history of rewarding longshots. Sarava shocked the field at 70-1 in 2002, while other major upsets include Sherluck at 65-1 and Temperence Hill at 53-1. More recent winners such as Ruler on Ice, Commendable, and Creator also paid generous prices. Favorites have struggled at times, particularly when facing fresh challengers or when Triple Crown hopefuls arrive under heavy pressure. With its demanding distance and unpredictable pace scenarios, the Belmont Stakes remains one of the most volatile and intriguing betting races in the series.
Odds on winning the Triple Crown
Odds on winning the Triple Crown are heavily influenced by whether a horse enters the Belmont Stakes with victories in both the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness. When a contender is attempting to complete the sweep, that horse is typically installed as the favorite in the Belmont. History shows how difficult the feat truly is, as 23 horses have won the first two legs without capturing the third, while only 13 have successfully completed the Triple Crown.
The Belmont Stakes has repeatedly spoiled Triple Crown bids with dramatic upsets. Da’ Tara won at 38-1 in 2008 to deny Big Brown, and Birdstone prevailed at 36-1 over Smarty Jones in 2004. Sarava delivered one of the biggest shocks in racing history at 70-1 against War Emblem, and even well backed contenders such as Charismatic fell short despite strong momentum entering the race. These outcomes highlight the pressure and unpredictability that surround any attempt to sweep the series, making Triple Crown futures both enticing and historically difficult to cash.
Triple Crown winners
Thirteen horses have captured the elusive Triple Crown, completing victories in the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes. Below is the full list of Triple Crown winners in chronological order:
- Sir Barton (1919)
- Gallant Fox (1930)
- Omaha (1935)
- War Admiral (1937)
- Whirlaway (1941)
- Count Fleet (1943)
- Assault (1946)
- Citation (1948)
- Secretariat (1973)
- Seattle Slew (1977)
- Affirmed (1978)
- American Pharoah (2015)
- Justify (2018)
