Legal Kentucky Derby Betting For 2024
Legal Kentucky Derby betting can be done in a number of different ways. You can bet at Churchill Downs, the historic racetrack that hosts the Run for the Roses, you can wager at an off-track betting shop, or you can make your real-money picks at an online racebook. As “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports”, the Kentucky Derby attracts quite a bit of attention, especially from those who enjoy betting in Kentucky. Last year alone, it is estimated that over $138 million was wagered on the race at Churchill Downs itself, with over $1 billion more wagered at sportsbooks and simulcast venues around the world. Kentucky Derby betting in 2023 is expected to exceed both of those figures.
If you’re new to horse racing betting or just need to brush up on your Kentucky Derby betting info, we’ve got you covered. This page goes over some of the basics, like how many horses will be running, how those horses are chosen, and where off-track betting can be done. We will also be regularly updating this 2024 Kentucky Derby betting page to reflect the current favorite to win the Derby as well as the future and race-day betting odds on each horse in the field.
Best Online Racebooks To Bet On The Derby
Bovada Racebook - Kentucky Derby Futures
If you’re looking for the best Kentucky Derby futures lines, look no further than the Bovada racebook. Bovada has the most Derby action of any book you’ll find online, and they’re always the first to publish odds for the Run for the Roses. Bovada prides itself on having the largest selection of futures to choose from, and you will not be disappointed by what you find when you sign up for an account. Bovada doesn’t just have the same thing as every other online horse racing betting site, either. Instead, they form their own odds, oftentimes leading to better payouts for their members.
If you run into a problem or just need a question answered, Bovada’s customer service can’t be beat. They’ve got a direct line for anyone using their racebook. It’s a 24/7 toll-free number, so you’ll be able to reach someone no matter what time of day or night it is. Bovada also has an email help form in case you need to send anything in or have a less time-sensitive question. Bovada has consistently provided bettors with the absolute best online experience, and their award-winning racebook should be the first stop on your very own Road to the Kentucky Derby. When you first create your account, you’ll also be eligible for a Bitcoin bonus worth up to $5,000 (promo code BVSBITCOIN50) to make your first deposit. You can also opt for the site’s $250 Sports Welcome Bonus, which is eligible for use in the Bovada racebook. With bonuses like these, you’re well on your way to Millionaires Row!
BetOnline Racebook - More Bets Avilable Online
At BetOnline’s famous racebook, you’ll find more bets than anywhere else, especially when compared to your local land-based track. This Internet-based offshore racebook has been operational for decades, providing bettors with the most varied betting opportunities and the best cutting-edge technology anywhere. You’ll find odds on American classics like the Kentucky Derby and other Triple Crown races, all right alongside odds for races being held all over the world. Australian tracks, UK tracks, Canadian tracks – just name an international horse racing venue, and you’ll find it at BetOnline.
To go along with such a wide variety of racing events for you to bet on, BetOnline also offers its horseplayers a daily rebate program. Every time you wager money on the ponies, no matter how much or how little, you can earn up to 7% back. BetOnline’s horse racing betting rebate is one of the most generous you’ll find online. There’s no cap on how much you’ll get back and no minimum on what you have to wager to earn the bonus. This is just one of BetOnline’s many sitewide promotions, so head over to the online racebook today and start betting the horses!
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How Many Horses Are in The Kentucky Derby?
The greatest number of horses that can be run at the Kentucky Derby is 20. Currently, there are about 50 horses in contention for the honor of running this race. Qualifying races will be run in the months leading up to the Derby, fr om September until April, and a tiered point system will determine who is allowed to compete for this chance of a lifetime. This series of qualifiers – which is usually comprised of between 35 and 50 races held internationally – is called the Road to the Kentucky Derby. During this series, horses are awarded points for first, second, third, and fourth place finishes.
The 18 horses with the most points at the end of the qualifiers will be chosen to run in the 2023 Kentucky Derby. The remaining two slots are reserved for the “Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby” and the “European Road to the Kentucky Derby” winners. In addition to these top 20 horses, four other alternate horses will also be invited, and these can be installed into the race in the event of injury or any other withdrawal of a listed starter.
Off-Track Betting On The Derby
The Kentucky Derby is easily the most popular horse racing event in America, so plenty of off-track betting (aka OTB) shops will be able to simulcast the race and collect wagers on the event. Off-track betting on the Derby can be done at almost all land-based track locations in the country, as most states offer legal simulcast betting. In fact, some states have many more OTB shops than they have racetracks, though a few unfortunate states have neither. In the case of the latter, residents of such states have only one option – to use an online racebook.
Online racebooks are a great way to participate in off-track betting on the Kentucky Derby. You’ll find more futures and higher payouts at online racebooks than you will at most OTB sites, as the pool of bettors is typically much higher than at any track venue. These sites are able to offer punters so much more when it comes to their 2023 Kentucky Derby betting. In fact, even for those who have tracks and OTBs nearby, offshore Kentucky Derby betting is often a superior experience across the (tote) board. Best of all, signing up for these sites is fast, easy, 100% legal, and totally free!
There are also higher payouts at an online racebook. These sites are able to offer punters so much more when it comes to their 2023 Kentucky Derby betting.
Past Kentucky Derby Winners
- 2021: Medina Spirit, Jockey - John Velazquez
- 2020: Authentic, Jockey – John Velazquez
- 2019: Country House, Jockey – Flavien Prat
- 2018: Justify*, Jockey – Mike E. Smith
- 2017: Always Dreaming, Jockey – John Velazquez
- 2016: Nyquist, Jockey – Mario Gutierrez
- 2015: American Pharoah*, Jockey – Victor Espinoza
- 2014: California Chrome, Jockey – Victor Espinoza
- 2013: Orb, Jockey – Joel Rosario
- 2012: I’ll Have Another, Jockey – Mario Gutierrez
- 2011: Animal Kingdom, Jockey – John Velazquez
- 2010: Super Saver, Jockey – Calvin Borel
- 2009: Mine That Bird, Jockey – Calvin Borel
- 2008: Big Brown, Jockey – Kent Desormeaux
- 2007: Street Sense, Jockey – Calvin Borel
- 2006: Barbaro, Jockey – Edgar Prado
- 2005: Giacomo, Jockey – Mike E. Smith
- 2004: Smarty Jones, Jockey – Stewart Elliott
- 2003: Funny Cide, Jockey – Jose A. Santos
- 2002: War Emblem, Jockey – Victor Espinoza
- 2001: Monarchos, Jockey – Jorge F. Chavez
- 2000: Fusaichi Pegasus, Jockey – Kent Desormeaux
*Justify won the Triple Crown just three years after American Pharoah. Both horses were trained by hall-of-famer Bob Baffert.
**American Pharoah became the first horse in 37 years to win the Triple Crown when he won in 2015. The previous Triple Crown winner was Affirmed in 1978.