Kentucky Derby Betting 2025

Horse racing betting is based on a pari-mutuel system. All the players betting on a race set the odds as they make their wagers. There is a different pari-mutuel pool for each type of bet, so there is a win pool, a place pool, a show bet pool, an exacta pool, etc.

From a betting perspective, this race is unique because there are 20 horses. You will not see another race in the United States with as many horses.

Back in the day, you had to go to a brick-and-mortar racetrack to wager on horse racing, but that is no longer the case. You can sign up at horse betting sites and bet on the Kentucky Derby online.

These sites have welcome betting offers, so you get a boost from the start.

Types of Wagers and Bets

• Win: This is straightforward; bet on a horse to win the race.
• Place: This is a bet to come in second or better.
• Show: This is a bet to finish third or better.
• Exacta: You pick the horses that will come first and second in the correct order when you bet an exacta.
• Trifecta: This is an exacta, but you pick the first three finishers.
• Superfecta: This is like a trifecta, but you pick the first four finishers.
• Quinella: You pick the first two finishers in any order when you play a quinella.
• Pick 4, Pick 5, and Pick 6 are horizontal wagers. You pick the horses to win four, five, or six consecutive races.

The odds are based on the amount of money bet in each pool. Since there are 20 horses, it is spread around, so you typically get reasonably good odds on every horse in the field. For this reason, there is a lot of money to be made betting on the Kentucky Derby.

Kentucky Derby Futures Betting

Kentucky Derby futures betting is speculative and, therefore, risky. Odds are posted in advance on the horses with a chance to win the race, but many will never actually run.

That means you can be in a great position to win big on Derby Day. You are in a sweet spot when you have a win betting slip that will pay 20/1 in the futures market. This can be a wise way to invest money if you have identified a viable future bet. 

You should study past performances and devote sufficient time to researching before you bet on the Kentucky Derby. There will be 20 horses to analyze, so much work is involved. 

1. Start with a Win Bet: Your first bet on the Kentucky Derby should be a win bet because it is straightforward. You fondly remember a successful Kentucky Derby bet for the rest of your life. Since you can always find overlays, it is the best opportunity to place a win bet all year.
2. Expect Peak Performances: The Kentucky Derby is the pinnacle of racing for three-year-old horses. Many of these horses are worth hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of dollars and are trained by the best in the business. Expect peak performances in the big race.
3. Consider the Post Draw: With 20 horses in the race, the post draw is essential. Horses racing wide cover more ground and run longer, which can lead to fatigue. This does not necessarily mean you should throw out horses drawn outside posts. If the horse has enough speed to clear most of the field, they can overcome a wide post position. The far inside post position is unsuitable for slow horses out of the gate.
4. The Unpredictability Factor: The Kentucky Derby is unique due to its large field and the quality of the horses. Any horse qualified for the Run for the Roses has a good bit of ability. As past winners like Giacomo and Mine That Bird have shown, no competitor is without a chance.
5. Try a Superfecta: If you're feeling adventurous, consider playing a superfecta, where you must pick the top four finishers. The minimum bet is usually $1 for the Kentucky Derby, and while a ticket with ample coverage can be costly, the potential payoff is considerable. From 2010 to 2020, the average payout for a $1 Kentucky Derby superfecta was $76,893. 

The Kentucky Derby is the first leg of the Triple Crown, run on the first Saturday in May every year at Churchill Downs Racecourse in Louisville, Kentucky. More than $130 million is bet yearly in the U.S. on the Kentucky Derby odds, with more than $200 million wagered across the Kentucky Derby Festival.

It is one of the grandest American traditions, and people worldwide are captivated by its pageantry. 

The fun begins on the Friday before the Derby when the Kentucky Oaks is the feature race. Post time for the Oaks is about 6 p.m., which is also the Derby post time. The Kentucky Oaks is for three-year-old fillies, and some of the most incredible female horses have competed in the Oaks. There are other good races on Saturday before the Derby, so you will have a lot of wagering opportunities that weekend.

The Kentucky Derby is a showcase of the best in horse racing, and 2025 promises to be no different. We can expect another thrilling race featuring top-tier horses, jockeys, and trainers, all vying for glory in the "Run for the Roses."

The Kentucky Derby's three-year-old thoroughbreds are high-quality horses still developing, and they can significantly improve from one race to the next.

There can be live longshots because an equine athlete eligible to improve may not look like the likely winner. You can always find a horse in the race at 8/1 or 10/1 that probably has true odds of 7/2 or 4/1.

Spectacular Bid was a heavy favorite of $0.60 on the dollar when he won the Kentucky Derby in 1979. Since then, no winner has gone off at odds lower than 2/1, which has only happened thrice in the last 42 years.

The 2019 winner Country House went off at odds of 65/1, and Giacomo was 50/1 when Hall of Fame rider Mike Smith rode him to victory in 2005. Medina Spirit, who won in 2021, was 12/1 and paid a robust $26.20 to win.