Kentucky Derby Betting Odds 2025

The Kentucky Derby, held annually at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, is not only the most prestigious and lucrative event in the state’s horse racing calendar but also a major attraction for Kentucky online betting sites. The event attracts an enormous amount of attention and betting volume, both in person and online.

Kentucky horse racing betting sites offer a convenient and secure way to bet on it. We’ll provide comprehensive information for bettors of all levels, including novice and experienced handicappers, on the best bets to make, the qualifications required for the event, and a detailed rundown of the contenders and odds for this year’s Run for the Roses.

2025 Kentucky Derby odds

The 2025 Kentucky Derby will be run on Saturday, May 3. When the lineup is released, the Kentucky Derby opening odds will be available right here and updated automatically 24 hours a day. See Kentucky Derby betting odds you like? Click them to create an account and claim your bonuses before making your bets.

Kentucky Derby bet types explained

At the Kentucky Derby, there are many different types of bets that you can make, ranging from simple to complex wagers. Here are some of the most popular bets:

  • Win: This is a simple bet on the horse that you think will win the race.
  • Place: This is a wager on a horse to finish in first or second place.
  • Show: A show bet is a wager on a horse to finish in first, second, or third place.
  • Exacta: With this bet, you must choose the first and second-place finishers in the correct order.
  • Trifecta: This is a bet on the first three horses to finish the race, in the correct order.
  • Superfecta: This is a wager on the first four horses to finish the race in the correct order.

In addition, new users can join FanDuel Racing and receive a No Sweat First Bet of up to $500 to use on any race at any event. No FanDuel promo code required.

There are also many other types of bets you can make, such as Pick 3s, Pick 4s and more. These bets are hard to hit, but they can provide great returns on small wager amounts.

Record-setting wins at the Kentucky Derby

Here are some of the key records from the Kentucky Derby:

  • Speed record at current length: 1 minute, 59.40 seconds (Secretariat, 1973)
  • Largest margin of victory: Eight lengths (four times, most recently by Assault in 1946)
  • Biggest longshot: Donerail (91-1 in 1913)
  • Most wins by an owner: Calumet Farm (eight, last in 1968)
  • Trainer with most victories: Ben Jones (six, last in 1952) and Bob Baffert (six, last in 2020)
  • Jockey with most wins: Eddie Arcaro and Bill Hartack (tied with five)

The Triple Crown winners

Historically, the Kentucky Derby serves as the inaugural leg of the Triple Crown, which includes the Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes. Only 13 horses have achieved the elusive feat of winning all three prestigious races. Below is a list of these remarkable winners, along with their corresponding winning times recorded at the Kentucky Derby.

YearWinning HorseWinning Race Time
2018Justify2:04.20
2015American Pharoah2:03.02
1978Affirmed2:01.12
1977Seattle Slew2:02.20
1973Secretariat1:59.40
1948Citation2:05.40
1946Assault2:06.60
1943Count Fleet2:04.00
1941Whirlaway2:01.40
1937War Admiral2:03.20
1935Omaha2:05.00
1930Gallant Fox2:07.60
1919Sir Barton2:09.80

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How do horses qualify for the Kentucky Derby?

To qualify for the Kentucky Derby, horses must earn points in designated prep races. These prep races, which are the top two- and three-year-old racing horses in the country, are typically held from September of the previous year through mid-April of the current year. The points system assigns a specific number of points to the top four finishers in each race, with more points awarded to the higher-placing horses.

The initial series of races awards 10 points to the first-place finisher, while the quantity escalates to 50 points for a triumph later on. However, as we approach the Kentucky Derby Championship Series, the points system doubles in value.

The horses with the highest point totals earn a spot in the starting gate for the Kentucky Derby. Additionally, a limited number of positions are reserved for horses with the highest earnings in non-restricted stakes races.

The field is limited to 20 horses, with four additional horses designated as “also-eligible” in case of any late scratches. The horses with the most points generally get first preference to enter the race.

Here are the six biggest qualifying events, along with the track and purse amount:

  • Arkansas Derby, Oaklawn Park, $1 million
  • Blue Grass Stakes, Keeneland, $1 million
  • Florida Derby, Gulfstream Park, $1 million
  • Louisiana Derby, Fair Grounds, $1 million
  • Santa Anita Derby, Santa Anita Park, $400,000
  • Wood Memorial Stakes, Aqueduct, $750,000

Kentucky Derby history and betting pool

The Kentucky Derby began in 1875 over 1.5 miles, a length that remained until 1896 when a quarter-mile was dropped. It’s remained the same ever since.

In that first-ever race, a horse named Aristides won in 2:37:75. We have no idea how much was wagered in that particular race, but we do for the more modern iterations of this famous race.

In 1985, the entire horse betting for Derby Day, including the races before the Kentucky Derby, came in at $26.8 million. In 2019, that amount was $250.9 million, showing quite the growth over 34 years. In that 2019 race, $165.5 million was wagered on the Derby alone, topping the previous record by 10%—a record set just the year prior.

Previous Kentucky Derby winners

The winners of the Kentucky Derby is a prestigious list and one everyone in horse racing looks to join.

2024 Mystik Dan

2023 Mage

2022 Rich Strike

2021 Mandaloun

2020 Authentic

2019 Country House

2018 Justify

2017 Always Dreaming

2016 Nyquist

2015 American Pharoah

2014 California Chrome

2013 Orb

2012 I’ll Have Another

2011 Animal Kingdom

2010 Super Saver

2009 Mine That Bird

2008 Big Brown

2007 Street Sense

2006 Barbaro

2005 Giacomo

2004 Smarty Jones

2003 Funny Cide

2002 War Emblem

2001 Monarchos

2000 Fusaichi Pegasus

1999 Charismatic

1998 Real Quiet

1997 Silver Charm

1996 Grindstone

1995 Thunder Gulch

1994 Go for Gin

1993 Sea Hero

1992 Lil E. Tee

1991 Strike the Gold

1990 Unbridled

1989 Sunday Silence

1988 Winning Colors

1987 Alysheba

1986 Ferdinand

1985 Spend A Buck

1984 Swale

1983 Sunny’s Halo

1982 Gato Del Sol

1981 Pleasant Colony

1980 Genuine Risk

1979 Spectacular Bid

1978 Affirmed

1977 Seattle Slew

1976 Bold Forbes

1975 Foolish Pleasure

1974 Cannonade

1973 Secretariat

1972 Riva Ridge

1971 Canonero II

1970 Dust Commander

Kentucky Derby FAQ

When is the Kentucky Derby in 2025?

Saturday, May 3.

Who won the Kentucky Derby last year?

Mystik Dan won the 2024 Kentucky Derby. Jockeyed by Brian Hernandez Jr., the horse won the race by a nose, beating Sierra Leone and Forever Young with a time of 2 minutes, 3.34 seconds.

What’s the field size for the Kentucky Derby?

The field size for the Kentucky Derby is limited to 20 horses. In the event that more than 20 horses are entered in the race, a selection process known as the “Road to the Kentucky Derby” points system is used to determine which horses will be allowed to compete. The points system is based on a series of designated races leading up to the Kentucky Derby, with horses earning points based on their performance in these races. The 20 horses with the most points at the end of the series are then eligible to enter the Kentucky Derby.

Has a filly ever won the Kentucky Derby?

Yes, three fillies have won the Kentucky Derby in its history. The first filly to win the Kentucky Derby was Regret in 1915. She was followed by Genuine Risk in 1980 and Winning Colors in 1988. Since Winning Colors’ victory, no other filly has won, although a few have come close, such as Eight Belles, who finished second in 2008.

What was the fastest time ever recorded at the Kentucky Derby?

The fastest time ever recorded at the Kentucky Derby is 1:59.40, which was achieved by Secretariat in 1973. Secretariat won the Kentucky Derby by an incredible 2 1/2 lengths and set a new racetrack record that still stands today. The previous record was 1:59.60, set by Northern Dancer in 1964.

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