The Kentucky Derby is the most popular betting race in the United States. It’s the Super Bowl of horse racing and creates considerable media attention and interest from casual sports fans and bettors along with industry insiders and horsemen. Known as “The most exciting two minutes in sports,” the Kentucky Derby generates huge betting action as America’s most wagered-on horse race. The Sport of Kings has clearly generated an interest from the casual fan when it comes to the Kentucky Derby, as wagering records, live attendance and Derby telecast viewership are at all-time highs.

NBC’s Kentucky Derby coverage has averaged more than 14 million viewers each year since 2008. Fueled by a postrace inquiry and Country House’s controversial win, the 2019 race was the highest-rated Kentucky Derby Kentucky Derby since 2015 and third-most watched Derby since 1989 with 16.34 million viewers.

An inside look at how the 146th Kentucky Derby will shape up:Max Player (15-1)Trainer: Steven M. AsmussenJockey: Ricardo Santana, Jr.Current Form: Ran home. Get the latest Kentucky Derby tips for the 2021 race! In our latest article, we discuss our top Kentucky Derby picks and horses to bet on! Horse racing odds, picks, and predictions for the 2020 Kentucky Derby on September 5, 2020. Kentucky Derby horses and post draws.

The 2020 Kentucky Derby broadcast on NBC saw a peak audience of 9.8 million, which is down from the 2019 race peak of 18.5 million.

The 2020 rescheduled Kentucky Derby in September drew a total betting handle of $79.4 million, down 52 percent from the record $165.5 million bet on the controversial 2019 Kentucky Derby. Still, the total amount bet on the 14-race Derby Day card was $128.3 million. That was better than any other race day in 2020, illustrating the Kentucky Derby’s unique position in the sport. The full-card amount, however, was down 48.9 percent compared to the record amount bet on the 2019 card.

An interesting note about the 2020 Kentucky Derby day card. Of the 14 races, just one post-time favorite won, sapping many bettors’ bankrolls.

How to bet on the Kentucky Derby

So how do you bet on the Kentucky Derby and get involved in the exciting action? Fans can wager legally at racetracks, simulcast centers such as Off Track Betting (OTB) Centers, and on advanced deposit wagering platforms such as TVG, where bettors in 31 states can legally bet on the race from their mobile devices and web browsers. People who bet online at TwinSpires wagered $30.2 million on the 2019 Kentucky Derby, up 23% over 2018. You can also wager on horse racing legally in the state of Nevada at the hundreds of casinos with race and sportsbooks.

Best online horse racing sites

Kentucky Derby odds 2021

Below are the current odds for the Kentucky Derby at William Hill sportsbooks in Nevada.

2021 Kentucky Derby race information

• Date: Saturday, May 1, 2021
• Time: 7:01 p.m. ET
• TV: NBC Sports Network
• Tablet, Online, Mobile: NBC Sports App and streamed live on NBCsports.com/live
• Track & Location: Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky
• Distance: 1 ¼ miles (10 furlongs)
• Surface: Dirt
• Horses: 3-Year-Old Thoroughbreds
• Track Record: Secretariat – 1:59.40 in 1973

Five horses to watch in 2021

The Kentucky Derby points standings will change considerably throughout the month of March and April leading into the May 1 Kentucky Derby. The development of some of the leading thoroughbreds is fascinating to watch as they race into their 3-year-old campaign.

Prevailing in the Run for the Roses on the first Saturday in May requires some good fortune in a potential 20 horse field. More importantly, to be a major contender, a horse must have a strong blend of stamina and speed. An early maturing profile is part of the process and buildup as trainers prepare their prized runners for the biggest race of their 3-year-old campaign.

Leading into the Championship Series races we see some horses that have already won some big races at age 2, and others starting to make their mark in other Road to the Kentucky Derby races.

Here are five horses to watch that have had some early success and continuing on the Derby trail. Stiffer competition awaits in late February, March and April as the excitement builds towards the the Kentucky Derby. We’ll update additional horses to watch as the competition gets tougher and the biggest races unfold on the Derby trail.

You can follow the Road to the Kentucky Derby points leaderboard for the top-20 points earners to qualify for the Kentucky Derby.

1. Essential Quality

Brad Cox-trained Essential Quality went 3-for-3 in 2020 with a pair of Grade 1 wins, including the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. The galloping gray son of Tapit, who won the 2004 Wood Memorial and ran in the Kentucky Derby. Essential Quality’s pedigree is stacked with classic influences, which makes the Derby distance of 1 ¼ miles a solid target for success. Essential Quality has been training consistently at the Fair Grounds and will make his 2021 debut in the rescheduled Southwest Stakes (G3) Feb. 27 at Oaklawn Park. He’ll likely follow up with a final prep race in the Louisiana Derby. As of late February, Essential Quality remains the clear leader in the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) Top 3-Year-Old Poll. Two other horses in the top 10 NTRA 3-year-old poll will challenge Essential Quality in the Southwest Stakes and are worth watching – Keepmeinmind and Jackie’s Warrior.

2. Life is Good

Like 2020 Kentucky Derby winner Authentic, Life Is Good is both trained by Bob Baffert and a son of Into Mischief. They also both won the Sham Stakes (G3), and Life Is Good is 2-for-2 after that win in early January and posted a 110 Equibase Speed Figure – the fastest of any Derby contender to date. Life Is Good will race next in the 1 1/16 mile San Felipe (G3) on March 6, and get his final Derby prep in the Santa Anita Derby (G1) on April 3. Life Is Good is No. 2 in the NTRA 3-Year-Old Poll. There is plenty of speed in the pedigree of Life Is Good, as Into Mischief was a talented sprinter/miler. But some mixed thoughts on stamina and distance remain. Until Authentic’s Derby win, most of Into Mischief’s progeny had topped out at 1 ⅛ miles or been more known as sprinters.

3. Mandaloun

Mandaloun is also sired by Into Mischief, and the Brad Cox-trained runner is 3-for-4 after winning the Grade II Risen Star Feb. 13 as the 2/1 favorite. Mandaloun turned the tables on Midnight Bourbon and Proxy, who finished 1-2 in the Lecomte Stakes (G3) when Mandaloun finished third as the favorite. In winning the 1 ⅛ mile Risen Star, Mandaloun showed enough speed to track the pace, and then showed solid stamina to dispose of his two main rivals down the stretch. The pedigree profile on the bottom half of Mandaloun’s breeding is stacked with classic stamina, making him one to watch on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.

4. Greatest Honour

Greatest Honour won the Holy Bull (G2) in his stakes debut Jan. 30. It was a visually impressive performance coming from off the pace and sweeping past a trio of runners before drawing away to win by nearly 6 lengths. The Shug McGaughey-trained son of Tapit possesses the speed and stamina to be a Kentucky Derby contender. Currently ranked No. 4 behind Mandaloun in the NTRA 3-Year-Old Poll, Greatest Honour has posted 103 and 106 Equibase Speed Figures in his last two races. He’ll need to continue his steady improvement under his ultra-patient Hall of Fame trainer, and will get his next chance to rise in the Fountain of Youth (G2) Feb. 27 at Gulfstream Park.

5. Concert Tour

Concert Tour is 2-for-2 with both wins this year as a 3-year-old. The Bob Baffert-trained son of 2007 Kentucky Derby winner Street Sense won the San Vicente (G2) in early February with a pace-pressing style while posting a 106 speed figure. Concert Tour has been training strong for his next race March 13 when Baffert ships him to Oaklawn Park to duel with Caddo River, another Derby contender. Concert Tour is bred to run longer and will be one to watch with a final prep likely in the Arkansas Derby as Baffert staggers his Derby runners across the major stakes races on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.

Lead-up prep races to the Kentucky Derby 2021

The 14 Championship Series races leading up to the Kentucky Derby will define the bulk of the 2021 Kentucky Derby field. Those races reward more recent form and run from mid-February to mid-April.

There are eight Championship Series races on the Road to the Kentucky Derby that award 100 qualifying points to the winner, 40 points to second place, 20 points to third and 10 points to fourth. The top two finishers will earn a spot in the starting gate for the Kentucky Derby if they have not already earned enough points. The 2021 Sunland Derby scheduled for March 30 has been cancelled, leaving six Championship Series races that award 50 points to the winner and the top four finishers receive qualifying points (50-20-10-5).

• Feb. 13: Risen Star * – Fair Grounds (Winner: Mandaloun)
• Feb. 27: Fountain of Youth * – Gulfstream Park
• March 6: Gotham Stakes * – Aqueduct
• March 6: Tampa Bay Derby * – Tampa Bay Downs
• March 6: San Felipe * – Santa Anita Park
• March 13: Rebel Stakes * – Oaklawn Park
• March 20: Louisiana Derby ** – Fair Grounds
• March 27: Jeff Ruby Stakes ** – Turfway Park
• March 27: Florida Derby ** – Gulfstream Park
• March 27: UAE Derby ** – Meydan Race Course
• April 3: Blue Grass ** – Keeneland
• April 3: Santa Anita Derby ** – Santa Anita Park
• April 3: Wood Memorial ** – Aqueduct
• April 10: Arkansas Derby ** – Oaklawn Park

*85 points race and 50 points to the winner
**170 points race and 100 points to the winner

Louisiana Derby

The last Louisiana Derby winner to win the Kentucky Derby was Grindstone (1996). The Kentucky Derby winner has not run in the Louisiana Derby in the last 17 years (Funny Cide, 2003).

Florida Derby

Recent Florida Derby winners that also won the Kentucky Derby include Always Dreaming (2017), Nyquist (2016), Orb (2013), Big Brown (2008), Barbaro (2006), Monarchos (2001), Thunder Gulch (1995).

UAE Derby

No recenty winners of the UAE Derby winners also won the Kentucky Derby.

Wood Memorial

Recent Wood Memorial winners that also won the Kentucky Derby include Fusaichi Pegasus (2000).

Blue Grass Stakes

Blue Grass Stakes winners that also won the Kentucky Derby include Spectacular Bid (1979).

Santa Anita Derby

Recent Santa Anita Derby winners that also won the Kentucky Derby include Justify (2018), California Chrome (2014), I’ll Have Another (2012).

Arkansas Derby

Recent Arkansas Derby winners that also won the Kentucky Derby include American Pharoah (2015), Smarty Jones (2004).

Watch how those horses perform and pay attention to their training, times, form and comments by the trainers in the biggest races leading into the Run for the Roses.

Types of wagers and bets

In addition to the traditional “straight” wagers (Win, Place, Show), fans can also attempt to cash big in the various “exotic” pools. Exacta (first two), Trifecta (first three), Superfecta (first four), and Super High Five (first five) wagering are all offered, and cashing a ticket in any of these pools can produce a bigger payday.

• Win: Bet on the horse you think you will win the Kentucky Derby.
• Place: Get paid the place price if your horse finishes first or second.
• Show: A show bet pays the least, but you win and get paid the show price if your horse finishes first, second or third.
• Exacta: Predict the first two horses in the correct order.
• Trifecta: Predict the first three horses in the correct order.
• Superfecta: Predict the first four horses in the correct order.
• Super High Five: Predict the first five horses in the correct order.

In 2018, Justify became the sixth consecutive favorite to win the Kentucky Derby. But the 2019 winner was 65-1 long shot Country House, who paid $132.40 to win on a $2 bet – the second-highest payout in Derby history. The race had a controversial finish when Maximum Security was disqualified for interference after crossing the finish line first. Code of Honor (14-1) was awarded 2nd place in the 2019 Derby to trigger a $2 exacta payout of $3,009.60.

Many racetracks, online sites and race and sportsbooks accept less than $2 bets on the exotic pools, so you can risk less. For example, you can place $1 exacta bets or 50-cent trifecta or even 10-cent superfecta bets at some locations. This allows you more betting options while including more horses at a lesser cost or risk.

An additional bet of interest is the Kentucky Oaks – Derby double in which you pick the winner of Friday’s $1 million Kentucky Oaks (for 3-year-old fillies) and Saturday’s $3 million Kentucky Derby. Those are the guaranteed purses for each race and in 2019 the prizes for the Kentucky Derby were:

• 1st place: $1,860,000
• 2nd place: $600,000
• 3rd place: $300,000
• 4th place: $150,000
• 5th place: $90,000

Picking a Kentucky Derby winner

Betting on horse racing has never been easier, but selecting a winner and predicting the puzzle in the exotic pools in search of a big payoff takes a little more time, skill and some racing luck. The 20 horses running in the Kentucky Derby is the largest field of any American race, and while the payouts are larger, it can be more difficult to handicap and determine the winner with so many factors to consider including each horse running 1 ¼ miles for the first time in their racing careers.

The Kentucky Derby has up to a maximum of 20 horses in the field, and those horses have qualified through 36 Kentucky Derby prep races in the United States and another seven races in Europe and four races in Japan.

Kentucky Derby Betting Games For Home Play

There are many ways to handicap a horse race, and there is no shortage of opinions or angles when it comes to the handicapping the Kentucky Derby and the numerous prep races leading up to the Run for the Roses. From a beginners betting guide to the most sophisticated tools for informed handicappers, there are many pieces of information and betting guides to assist you in identifying a potential Kentucky Derby winner and narrowing the list of top contenders.

• Handicapping horses and the races takes much time, research and intuition. Beyond studying past performance charts and horse stats, speed figures, class ratings, tracks and bias, jockey and trainer stats, horse pedigree and even post position (Kentucky Derby Draw is Tuesday, April 27), a handicapper has to have insight and ability to find various ways to identify horses that are ready to win. You may not have time to study race videos, tracks, surfaces or find horses that had troubled trips in recent races. But it’s important to distill information that can help you identify horses that may offer some value next time out or others in good form or improving that can provide value wagering opportunities.
• Races and horses should be backed based on positive attributes and not as a result of who’s the best of the worst. As you study some of the betting guides and training tools, you’ll become better prepared and equipped to analyze races in a more meaningful way. That includes the Kentucky Derby and the prep races leading up to the Derby. Understanding ‘how’ a horse has run leading up to a race versus the far less important ‘where’ the horse finishes and ‘what’ time he/she completed their recent races will help you become more proficient.

Five biggest Kentucky Derby longshot winners ever

As we witnessed again in the 2019 Kentucky Derby when Country House won at 65-1 odds, there is no sure thing and nothing is certain in horse racing. The winning horse is not always the best horse, and in a field of 20 at the Kentucky Derby, a little bit of racing luck and a good trip makes for a better chance to win. Some of the biggest upsets in the history of the Kentucky Derby have made for some sensational stories.

1. Country House (2019)

Kentucky Derby Betting Games For Home Game

In a historical reversal, Country House was declared the winner of the 145th running of the Kentucky Derby after an objection was filed, claiming that Maximum Security, who crossed the finish line first, had interfered with the path of multiple horses at the top of the stretch. Maximum Security was disqualified to 17^th place, allowing Country House to be declared the Kentucky Derby winner. At 65-1 odds, Country House became the second-longest shot to win the Kentucky Derby behind Donerail (91-1), who beat a field of eight in 1913. Jockey Flavien Prat and trainer Bill Mott both won their first Kentucky Derby with Country House, who paid $132.40 on a $2 win bet.

2. Go For Gin (1994)

At 9-1 odds, Go For Gin was not one of the biggest longshots to win the Kentucky Derby. But his victory was shocking as the 2-1 favorite Holy Bull looked too good to lose having won eight of nine races entering the Run for the Roses including more than six lengths better than Go For Gin in the Florida Derby. But Go For Gin took to a sloppy Churchill Downs surface following a torrential rain and stole the race on the front with Chris McCarron aboard replacing Jerry Bailey and splashing home to win by two lengths with the heavy favorite Holy Bull finishing twelfth.

3. Giacomo (2005)

Giacomo was able to succeed in the 2005 Kentucky Derby where his sire, Holy Bull, had failed in 1994. The gray colt came from 18^th at the three-quarter pole and rallied desperately with jockey Mike Smith aboard at odds of 50-1 to win a thrilling finish in the final strides by a half-length over fellow long shot Closing Argument (71-1). Giacomo actually denied a Triple Crown bid with his late charge as Afleet Alex won the Preakness and Belmont after finishing a close 3^rd in the Kentucky Derby. Giacamo won the Derby with only a maiden win to his credit and a fourth place finish in his final Derby prep.

4. Mine That Bird (2009)

Mine That Bird was one of five horses at 50-1 odds and sat dead last in the Derby field of 19 through three quarter miles. Then jockey Calvin Borel got the son of Birdstone to rush up along the rail and the Canadian colt blew by the field on a sloppy track to win by nearly seven lengths over Pioneer of the Nile in an epic upset. Mine That Bird went on to finish 2^nd in the Preakness and 3^rd in the Belmont, but did not win a race in his final nine starts following the shocking Kentucky Derby win, which paid $103.40 on a $2 win bet.

5. Thunder Gulch (1995)

Thunder Gulch entered the Kentucky Derby as an accomplished 3-year old having won the Fountain of Youth and Florida Derby. But a 4^th place finish in the Blue Grass Stakes as the favorite three weeks before the Derby had handicappers questioning trainer D. Wayne Lukas’ fine colt. Bettors would regret severely overlooking this live longshot at 24-1. When jockey Pat Day decided to ride the Derby favorite Timber Country (3^rd), Lukas turned to jockey Gary Stevens. The rest is history, and at 24-1 odds, it’s shocking a Florida Derby winner could go off at those long odds. Thunder Gulch remained within striking distance at the top of the stretch and put away the field by 2 ½ lengths over closers Tejano Run and Timber Country with the front-running filly and favorite Serena’s Song fading to finish sixteenth. Thunder Gulch finished 2^nd in the Preakness before winning the Belmont and Travers Stakes.

Honorable mention: Gallahadian (35-1) in 1940 over 2-5 favorite Bimelech, who went on to win the Preakness and Belmont. Gato Del Sol (21-1) in 1982, Charismatic (31-1) in 1999 and Animal Kingdom (21-1) in 2011 after the favorite Uncle Mo scratched out of the race.

Kentucky Derby history: betting odds and winners

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Kentucky Derby Party Betting Games

kentucky derby
An annual horse race for three-year-olds at Louisville, Kentucky. First held in 1875, it is the oldest horse race in the US It is the first race of horse racing's Triple Crown
an annual race for three-year-old horses; held at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky

betting
The act of gambling money on the outcome of a race, game, or other unpredictable event
(bet) maintain with or as if with a bet; 'I bet she will be there!'
dissipated: preoccupied with the pursuit of pleasure and especially games of chance; 'led a dissipated life'; 'a betting man'; 'a card-playing son of a bitch'; 'a gambling fool'; 'sporting gents and their ladies'

party
A formally constituted political group, typically operating on a national basis, that contests elections and attempts to form or take part in a government
A group of people taking part in a particular activity or trip, esp. one for which they have been chosen
A social gathering of invited guests, typically involving eating, drinking, and entertainment
an organization to gain political power; 'in 1992 Perot tried to organize a third party at the national level'
a group of people gathered together for pleasure; 'she joined the party after dinner'
have or participate in a party; 'The students were partying all night before the exam'

games
(game) bet on: place a bet on; 'Which horse are you backing?'; 'I'm betting on the new horse'
(game) crippled: disabled in the feet or legs; 'a crippled soldier'; 'a game leg'
A form of play or sport, esp. a competitive one played according to rules and decided by skill, strength, or luck
A complete episode or period of play, typically ending in a definite result
(game) a contest with rules to determine a winner; 'you need four people to play this game'
A single portion of play forming a scoring unit in a match, esp. in tennis

Kentucky Derby Betting Games For Home Gym

79% (11)

Won by Giacomo, owned by M/M Jerry Moss; Trained by John Shirreffs; Ridden by Mike Smith

Combine the poignancy of Thirteen Reasons Why with the energy of films like American Graffiti, Dazed and Confused, and Sixteen Candles and you get Party—a sneak peek into the lives of contemporary teens over the course of a single night. Alternating points of view and the timeless setting of an end-of-school party make this a compelling read. Those who pick it up cannot put it down.