Standards require that we only include the safest online racebooks for betting on the Kentucky Derby. You can simply work with one of these Kentucky Derby betting sites and expect to come away with a. The 2021 Kentucky Derby is the 147th renewal of The Greatest Two Minutes in Sports. Live odds, betting, horse bios, travel info, tickets, news, and updates from Churchill Downs Race Track.
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How We Choose Kentucky Derby Betting Sites
Each of our recommended Kentucky Derby betting sites goes through a rigorous review process before it ends up on our list. We only list sites that are legal, trusted, and thoroughly tested for fairness so that you can feel safe and confident when you use them.
We expect each of our recommended sites to excel in a variety of areas. Here's a breakdown of a few of the most important factors we consider when making our selections.
Legal and Licensed
Our most important criterion for any site we recommend is that it is legal and licensed. Every Kentucky Derby betting site we recommend to you has a license from a trusted regulator and can be played legally in your jurisdiction. Proper licensing is a must to ensure you are playing at trustworthy, reliable betting sites.
Big Bonuses
There's nothing better than getting a great bonus when you sign up for a new betting site. However, some bonuses are better than others, and some might not be right for your specific needs. That's why we look for the biggest and best bonuses and promotions for our readers. We also explain exactly what you're getting so that you can pick the offer that's best for you.
Great Customer Support
Nobody enjoys having to reach out to a customer service representative to get help. But issues crop up at even the best sites, and that's where having top-notch customer support makes a world of difference. We make sure to interact with the customer service teams at every site we recommend to ensure they're helpful, courteous, and knowledgeable.
High-Level Security
Even if a site has the best of intentions, none of that matters if their security isn't up to par. We only recommend the best betting sites that have implemented state of the art security protocols and respond quickly to any issues that may occur. That way, we can ensure that your money and your personal information will be safe and secure when you play at our suggested sites.
Kentucky Derby Betting Guide
How to Use Kentucky Derby Betting Sites
Even if you've spent plenty of time watching races at the track, you might not be familiar with online betting sites. Here's a quick guide to how to bet on the Kentucky Derby, from making your account to placing your first wager.
Step 1: Sign Up for Your Account
First, you'll need to choose one of our Kentucky Derby betting sites to join. Click on our links to be taken to a signup page, where you'll be asked to provide your name, address, and some other basic info. You'll also get the chance to pick a username and set a secure password for your account.
Step 2: Make Your First Deposit
In order to make a bet, you'll need to put money into your account. To do so, head over to the cashier while you're logged into the betting site. There, you'll see a list of options for depositing funds. Depending on where you live and what is available to you, you might be able to deposit by bank transfer, credit card, e-wallet, prepaid methods, cryptocurrencies, or other options.
Once you find the method you want to use, select it. Put in the information requested, including the amount you want to move into your betting account. Once you submit your deposit, it should take only a few moments for the money to hit your balance.
Step 3: Finding the Kentucky Derby
Next, you'll have to find the Kentucky Derby from the list of many horse races available on the betting site. In some cases, you may have to switch to the 'racebook' from the sportsbook in order to find horse racing betting options. The Kentucky Derby may be listed in a list of 'featured' races, or under a heading for the Triple Crown races, making it easier to find.
Step 4: Place Your Bets
Now that you've found the race, you can take a look at the horses and place your bets! You can choose an individual horse by clicking on it, after which you can be on that horse to win, place, or show. You can even choose multiple horses to place exotic bets like an exacta or trifecta.
Once you're happy with your bet, input the amount of money you'd like to wager. Once you're satisfied with the details, submit your bet. You now have a bet on the Kentucky Derby!
Claiming Bonuses
When you sign up for one of our recommended sites, you'll be eligible for a signup or first deposit bonus. The process for claiming these bonus offers varies between different sites. In some cases, it will be as easy as registering an account and, if necessary, making your first deposit.
In other cases, you might have to use a bonus code when you register or make that first deposit. When this is necessary, we'll be sure to give you the code you need in order to receive your reward. You may also have to opt-in to receive specific promotions on the betting site. If you're looking for more information on what bonuses are available, checking out the promotions page is a great place to start.
Contacting Customer Service
Each of our recommended Kentucky Derby betting sites employs a professional customer service team that can help answer any questions or help resolve any problems that you run into. If you need to contact customer service, look for a support button on the website, which is usually accessible from any page you might be on.
Some sites offer a variety of ways to talk to customer support agents. These can include a live chat, which allows you to speak with personnel via text. Most sites also offer a phone number and/or an email address where you can talk to customer service. Live chat is usually the quickest option; some sites offer this service 24 hours a day, while others have specific hours when live help is available.
Which are the Most Popular Bets at Kentucky Derby Betting Sites?
If you're new to betting, or are more familiar with wagering on other sports, some of the terminology around horse racing bets may seem confusing. Fear not: it's easy to learn how these wagers work. Here's a quick look at different types of Kentucky Derby bets explained so that even new bettors can understand them.
Win, Place, and Show
These bets are known as straight bets. In all three cases, you'll be betting on just one horse, and you'll want it to do well in the race. How well it has to do depends on the bet, as follows:
Win: Your horse must win the race.
Place: Your horse must finish first or second.
Show: Your horse must finish in one of the top three spots.
Win bets pay more than place bets, which in turn pay more than show bets. After a race, the results are typically shown alongside the payouts for a $2 bet on all straight bets that would have won. Here's an example from the 2019 Kentucky Derby, when 65-1 longshot Country House won the race:
Country House: $132.40 (Win) $56.60 (Place) $24.60 (Show)
Code of Honor: $15.20 (Place) $9.80 (Show)
Tacitus: $5.60 (Show)
Exotic Bets
Exotic bets require you to pick multiple horses. To win these bets, you'll typically need your chosen horses to finish in an exact order. The most common exotic bets include:
Exacta: A bet on two horses to finish first and second in an exact order.
Eighteen teams divided in two groups of nine teams each where they play in a round-robin format. All matches are played in a Bo2. A win (2-0) provides 2 points. A draw (1-1) provides 1 point. A loss (0-2) provides 0 points. Top four teams in each group advance to the Upper Bracket of the Main Event. The International Dota 2 Championships - Main Event August 20-25, 2019 - Mercedes-Benz Arena in Shanghai, China. Two groups of nine teams. Teams play every other team in their group in a best-of-two. Top four teams in each group advance to Upper Bracket of the Main Event. Observe the Dota 2 The International 2018 standings in World category now and check the latest Dota 2 The International 2018 table, rankings and team performance.
Trifecta: A bet on three horses to finish first, second, and third, in an exact order.
Superfecta: A bet on four horses to finish first through fourth in an exact order.
You may also choose to box any of these bets. When you do so, you will cover all possible combinations of that bet. For instance, an exact box means you'll make two bets, covering both ways your two horses might finish first and second. A trifecta box requires six bets, while a superfecta box requires 24 bets to complete.
As you'd expect, the bigger combinations pay out more money, though even exactas can be quite lucrative at times. In the example of the 2019 Kentucky Derby, a $1 exacta paid just over $1,500, while a $1 trifecta bet won nearly $11,500, and a $1 superfecta earned $51,400.
Multiple Race Bets
Some bets allow you to wager on the winners of multiple races in a row. These might be called a Daily Double (for two races), a Pick 6 (for six races), or a Pick All for the full day's slate. In order to win the bet, you'll need all of your chosen horses to win.
You may pick multiple horses per race for these bets, as long as you're willing to pay for every combination. This can add up fast: for instance, if you were playing a $2 Pick 6, and wanted to cover just two horses in each race, you'd have to pay $124 to cover all 64 combinations!
The Benefits of Using Kentucky Derby Betting Sites
Betting on horse racing online comes with a number of benefits when compared to wagering at the track. For one, there's the fact that you can stay at home and bet on the biggest races from all over the world, rather than having to travel to a race or an off-track betting (OTB) location to put your money down.
Online betting is also simpler and easier for the average gambler to understand. When you bet on a race at the track, you won't know exactly how much you stand to win until after the race is over. That's because horse racing bets are a type of parimutuel wagering, in which all the money bet is put into a pool, the track takes its cut, then the winners are paid out of the remaining cash.
Kentucky Derby online betting is usually more like traditional sports betting. You'll see the odds on offer, and once you lock in your bet, you'll be guaranteed those payouts after the race ends. That takes all the guesswork out of your betting.
Of course, you can't get the track experience when you're betting on your phone or computer from home. But even that can be a benefit: hearing the screams of thousands of fans and wading through lines to place bets or cash winning tickets can be a stressful, pressure-filled experience for many people. With online betting, you can enjoy the races with friends and family or by yourself, while still having the chance to win big.
How to Choose Your Horse for Kentucky Derby Betting
The process of picking horses to bet on – also known as handicapping – is something some bettors have devoted their lives to. However, you don't have to study for years to start improving your results. Here are a few tips on how to find your Kentucky Derby best bets.
- Consider form. Form is how the horse has performed in recent races. Of course, this must be balanced on the conditions of each race and the quality of the competition.
- Look at the starting positions. Generally speaking, on longer races like the Kentucky Derby, the inside (lower number) starting positions are considered better. This is no guarantee, but horses starting on the far outside (in gates 11 or higher) have historically had a tougher time winning the race.
- How's the weather? If the race is running on a firm, fast track, the horse you generally rate highest is probably the best bet to win. However, a muddy or sloppy track could favor horses that have a history of performing well under those conditions.
- Find value. Remember, the goal is to find horses that are more likely to win than their odds suggest. That means that a longshot could be the smart bet: even if they still aren't likely to win, they may be offering payouts that are way too high for a horse of their quality.
The History of the Kentucky Derby
The Kentucky Derby was first run in 1875. For 144 years, the race ran interrupted every May. That only changed in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which pushed back the race until September for the first time.
Originally, the Kentucky Derby was run at 1.5 miles, but it was shortened to 1.25 miles in 1896, and has stayed at that length ever since. Today, the race is the most prestigious race for three-year-old horses in the United States, and stands as the first of the three Triple Crown races, followed by the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes. It is one of the biggest days of the year in terms of US betting activity.
Secretariat holds the record for the fastest time in the Kentucky Derby at 1:59.4 in 1973. Only two other horses have finished under two minutes: Sham, who finished second behind Secretariat, and Monarchos, who won the race in 2001.
Traditions play an important role at the Kentucky Derby. The preferred alcoholic beverage of the race is the mint julep, women traditionally wear elaborate hats, and the song 'My Old Kentucky Home' has been played before each race since 1921.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, our recommended Kentucky Derby sites are fully legal and are licensed by trusted regulators. Be aware that online gambling laws vary by jurisdiction, meaning some sites may not be available in your state or country.
Many of our top betting sites offer a full range of sports betting services. That means you can bet on football, baseball, soccer, basketball, or just about any other sport you'd like, usually from the same account balance you're using for Kentucky Derby betting.
How to Use Kentucky Derby Betting Sites
Even if you've spent plenty of time watching races at the track, you might not be familiar with online betting sites. Here's a quick guide to how to bet on the Kentucky Derby, from making your account to placing your first wager.
Step 1: Sign Up for Your Account
First, you'll need to choose one of our Kentucky Derby betting sites to join. Click on our links to be taken to a signup page, where you'll be asked to provide your name, address, and some other basic info. You'll also get the chance to pick a username and set a secure password for your account.
Step 2: Make Your First Deposit
In order to make a bet, you'll need to put money into your account. To do so, head over to the cashier while you're logged into the betting site. There, you'll see a list of options for depositing funds. Depending on where you live and what is available to you, you might be able to deposit by bank transfer, credit card, e-wallet, prepaid methods, cryptocurrencies, or other options.
Once you find the method you want to use, select it. Put in the information requested, including the amount you want to move into your betting account. Once you submit your deposit, it should take only a few moments for the money to hit your balance.
Step 3: Finding the Kentucky Derby
Next, you'll have to find the Kentucky Derby from the list of many horse races available on the betting site. In some cases, you may have to switch to the 'racebook' from the sportsbook in order to find horse racing betting options. The Kentucky Derby may be listed in a list of 'featured' races, or under a heading for the Triple Crown races, making it easier to find.
Step 4: Place Your Bets
Now that you've found the race, you can take a look at the horses and place your bets! You can choose an individual horse by clicking on it, after which you can be on that horse to win, place, or show. You can even choose multiple horses to place exotic bets like an exacta or trifecta.
Once you're happy with your bet, input the amount of money you'd like to wager. Once you're satisfied with the details, submit your bet. You now have a bet on the Kentucky Derby!
Claiming Bonuses
When you sign up for one of our recommended sites, you'll be eligible for a signup or first deposit bonus. The process for claiming these bonus offers varies between different sites. In some cases, it will be as easy as registering an account and, if necessary, making your first deposit.
In other cases, you might have to use a bonus code when you register or make that first deposit. When this is necessary, we'll be sure to give you the code you need in order to receive your reward. You may also have to opt-in to receive specific promotions on the betting site. If you're looking for more information on what bonuses are available, checking out the promotions page is a great place to start.
Contacting Customer Service
Each of our recommended Kentucky Derby betting sites employs a professional customer service team that can help answer any questions or help resolve any problems that you run into. If you need to contact customer service, look for a support button on the website, which is usually accessible from any page you might be on.
Some sites offer a variety of ways to talk to customer support agents. These can include a live chat, which allows you to speak with personnel via text. Most sites also offer a phone number and/or an email address where you can talk to customer service. Live chat is usually the quickest option; some sites offer this service 24 hours a day, while others have specific hours when live help is available.
Which are the Most Popular Bets at Kentucky Derby Betting Sites?
If you're new to betting, or are more familiar with wagering on other sports, some of the terminology around horse racing bets may seem confusing. Fear not: it's easy to learn how these wagers work. Here's a quick look at different types of Kentucky Derby bets explained so that even new bettors can understand them.
Win, Place, and Show
These bets are known as straight bets. In all three cases, you'll be betting on just one horse, and you'll want it to do well in the race. How well it has to do depends on the bet, as follows:
Win: Your horse must win the race.
Place: Your horse must finish first or second.
Show: Your horse must finish in one of the top three spots.
Win bets pay more than place bets, which in turn pay more than show bets. After a race, the results are typically shown alongside the payouts for a $2 bet on all straight bets that would have won. Here's an example from the 2019 Kentucky Derby, when 65-1 longshot Country House won the race:
Country House: $132.40 (Win) $56.60 (Place) $24.60 (Show)
Code of Honor: $15.20 (Place) $9.80 (Show)
Tacitus: $5.60 (Show)
Exotic Bets
Exotic bets require you to pick multiple horses. To win these bets, you'll typically need your chosen horses to finish in an exact order. The most common exotic bets include:
Exacta: A bet on two horses to finish first and second in an exact order.
Eighteen teams divided in two groups of nine teams each where they play in a round-robin format. All matches are played in a Bo2. A win (2-0) provides 2 points. A draw (1-1) provides 1 point. A loss (0-2) provides 0 points. Top four teams in each group advance to the Upper Bracket of the Main Event. The International Dota 2 Championships - Main Event August 20-25, 2019 - Mercedes-Benz Arena in Shanghai, China. Two groups of nine teams. Teams play every other team in their group in a best-of-two. Top four teams in each group advance to Upper Bracket of the Main Event. Observe the Dota 2 The International 2018 standings in World category now and check the latest Dota 2 The International 2018 table, rankings and team performance.
Trifecta: A bet on three horses to finish first, second, and third, in an exact order.
Superfecta: A bet on four horses to finish first through fourth in an exact order.
You may also choose to box any of these bets. When you do so, you will cover all possible combinations of that bet. For instance, an exact box means you'll make two bets, covering both ways your two horses might finish first and second. A trifecta box requires six bets, while a superfecta box requires 24 bets to complete.
As you'd expect, the bigger combinations pay out more money, though even exactas can be quite lucrative at times. In the example of the 2019 Kentucky Derby, a $1 exacta paid just over $1,500, while a $1 trifecta bet won nearly $11,500, and a $1 superfecta earned $51,400.
Multiple Race Bets
Some bets allow you to wager on the winners of multiple races in a row. These might be called a Daily Double (for two races), a Pick 6 (for six races), or a Pick All for the full day's slate. In order to win the bet, you'll need all of your chosen horses to win.
You may pick multiple horses per race for these bets, as long as you're willing to pay for every combination. This can add up fast: for instance, if you were playing a $2 Pick 6, and wanted to cover just two horses in each race, you'd have to pay $124 to cover all 64 combinations!
The Benefits of Using Kentucky Derby Betting Sites
Betting on horse racing online comes with a number of benefits when compared to wagering at the track. For one, there's the fact that you can stay at home and bet on the biggest races from all over the world, rather than having to travel to a race or an off-track betting (OTB) location to put your money down.
Online betting is also simpler and easier for the average gambler to understand. When you bet on a race at the track, you won't know exactly how much you stand to win until after the race is over. That's because horse racing bets are a type of parimutuel wagering, in which all the money bet is put into a pool, the track takes its cut, then the winners are paid out of the remaining cash.
Kentucky Derby online betting is usually more like traditional sports betting. You'll see the odds on offer, and once you lock in your bet, you'll be guaranteed those payouts after the race ends. That takes all the guesswork out of your betting.
Of course, you can't get the track experience when you're betting on your phone or computer from home. But even that can be a benefit: hearing the screams of thousands of fans and wading through lines to place bets or cash winning tickets can be a stressful, pressure-filled experience for many people. With online betting, you can enjoy the races with friends and family or by yourself, while still having the chance to win big.
How to Choose Your Horse for Kentucky Derby Betting
The process of picking horses to bet on – also known as handicapping – is something some bettors have devoted their lives to. However, you don't have to study for years to start improving your results. Here are a few tips on how to find your Kentucky Derby best bets.
- Consider form. Form is how the horse has performed in recent races. Of course, this must be balanced on the conditions of each race and the quality of the competition.
- Look at the starting positions. Generally speaking, on longer races like the Kentucky Derby, the inside (lower number) starting positions are considered better. This is no guarantee, but horses starting on the far outside (in gates 11 or higher) have historically had a tougher time winning the race.
- How's the weather? If the race is running on a firm, fast track, the horse you generally rate highest is probably the best bet to win. However, a muddy or sloppy track could favor horses that have a history of performing well under those conditions.
- Find value. Remember, the goal is to find horses that are more likely to win than their odds suggest. That means that a longshot could be the smart bet: even if they still aren't likely to win, they may be offering payouts that are way too high for a horse of their quality.
The History of the Kentucky Derby
The Kentucky Derby was first run in 1875. For 144 years, the race ran interrupted every May. That only changed in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which pushed back the race until September for the first time.
Originally, the Kentucky Derby was run at 1.5 miles, but it was shortened to 1.25 miles in 1896, and has stayed at that length ever since. Today, the race is the most prestigious race for three-year-old horses in the United States, and stands as the first of the three Triple Crown races, followed by the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes. It is one of the biggest days of the year in terms of US betting activity.
Secretariat holds the record for the fastest time in the Kentucky Derby at 1:59.4 in 1973. Only two other horses have finished under two minutes: Sham, who finished second behind Secretariat, and Monarchos, who won the race in 2001.
Traditions play an important role at the Kentucky Derby. The preferred alcoholic beverage of the race is the mint julep, women traditionally wear elaborate hats, and the song 'My Old Kentucky Home' has been played before each race since 1921.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, our recommended Kentucky Derby sites are fully legal and are licensed by trusted regulators. Be aware that online gambling laws vary by jurisdiction, meaning some sites may not be available in your state or country.
Many of our top betting sites offer a full range of sports betting services. That means you can bet on football, baseball, soccer, basketball, or just about any other sport you'd like, usually from the same account balance you're using for Kentucky Derby betting.
Our suggested betting sites offer a wide range of cash out options. These can include bank transfers, e-wallets, cryptocurrencies, paper checks, and other methods, depending on the site.
There's no single site that's best for every person, which is why we offer a selection of trusted, reputable websites for you to choose from. Take a look at our top list to find a site that's right for you!
Some call it 'the most exciting two minutes in sports.' Others claim its name is 'the run for the roses.'
Either way, it is officially the Kentucky Derby and the first leg of US horse racing's Triple Crown.
The race is run annually in Louisville, KY, on the first Saturday in May at the at legendary Churchill Downs Racetrack. But you don't have to travel to Kentucky to get in on the betting action.
Where to bet on the Kentucky Derby in PA
In fact, there are six live horse racing facilities and eight off-track betting operations right here in Pennsylvania that are taking bets on the 145th running of the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, May 4.
Plus, there are five well-known horse racing mobile apps available in PA that allow you to place a bet on the race from the privacy of your home. These apps are:
- TwinSpires.com – Churchill Downs' horse racing app and the official betting partner of the Kentucky Derby.
- TVG.com – The top horse race TV and online horse betting site in the country.
- BetAmerica.com – Another Churchill Downs' horse racing app that also operates online sports betting and online casino products in New Jersey.
- DRF Bets (bets.drf.com) – The online betting platform of the Daily Racing Form.
- NYRABets.com – The New York Racing Association's online wagering site.
The six live PA horse racing facilities that offer simulcast wagering on the Kentucky Derby and full-scale casino operations are:
- Harrah's Philadelphia Casino & Racetrack in Chester
- Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course in Grantville
- The Meadows Racetrack & Casino in Washington
- Parx Casino and Racing in Bensalem
- Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs in Wilkes-Barre
- Presque Isle Downs & Casino in Erie
Of those, four also have attached PA retail sportsbooks. Presque Isle and Mohegan Sun are both in the process of launching sports betting.
Finally, each horse racing operation is authorized to offer simulcast wagering at state-approved PA off-track betting facilities.
These facilities are:
- Northeast Turf Club in Philadelphia's Roosevelt Mall (Parx)
- South Philadelphia Turf Club on Packer Avenue in Philadelphia's Stadium District (Parx)
- Valley Forge Turf Club near Valley Forge National Park (Parx)
- Lancaster OTW in Lancaster (Penn National Gaming)
- York OTW in York (Penn National Gaming)
- The Downs at East Stroudsburg in the Poconos (Mohegan Sun Pocono)
- The Downs at Lehigh Valley in Allentown (Mohegan Sun Pocono)
- Meadows Harmar on Anchor Drive in Pittsburgh's Harmar Township (The Meadows)
How to bet on the Kentucky Derby
According to Churchill Downs, over $150 million is won by people betting on the Kentucky Derby every year. If you want to get in on that, it's a good idea to learn a few horse racing betting basics first.
There are five basic ways to bet on any single horse race How to make a monkey paw for slot machines. , including the Kentucky Derby.
Win bets
A 'win' wager is exactly like it sounds. It's a bet on a single horse to win the race. If the horse wins, you win, and you get paid based on odds set by the track.
Place bets
A 'place' wager is a bet on one horse to finish either first or second. You win if the horse wins or finishes second. You get paid based on odds set by the track, but they're sure to be smaller than the odds on the horse to win.
Show bets
A 'show' wager is a bet on one horse to finish either first, second or third. You win if the horse wins or finishes second or third. You get paid based on odds set by the track, but they're sure to be smaller than the odds on the horse to win or place.
Exacta bets
An 'exacta' is a bet on two horses to finish first and second, in that order. You win if you exactly predict the winning sequence. The difficulty of picking two horses to win and place in exact order means exacta bets pay much bigger odds than most.
However, you can also 'box' the wager, essentially betting on the same two horses to win and place in any order. This increases your chances of winning but also lowers your profit.
Trifecta bets
A 'trifecta' is a bet on three horses to finish first, second, and third, in that exact order. You win if exactly what you predict to happen actually does. The difficulty of picking three horses to win, place, and show in exact order means trifecta bets pay the biggest odds of any basic bet.
However, you can also 'box' the wager, essentially betting on the same three horses to win, place, and show in any order. Again, this increases your likelihood of winning, but also makes a bet more costly, lowering your potential profit.
Watching the Kentucky Derby in PA
The 2019 Kentucky Derby will air nationally on NBC. Coverage begins on May 4 at noon EST with the Kentucky Derby undercard airing on NBC Sports.
From 2:30 p.m. through 7:30 p.m. NBC takes over. Riders mount the horses at st after 6:30 p.m. and the 145th running of the Kentucky Derby is set to begin at 6:50 p.m. EST.
The NBC Sports Live website and NBC Sports app will also live stream the race. The app is available:
- iTunes App Store
- Google Play
- Amazon Fire TV
- Roku
- Box
- Samsung
- Microsoft
Additionally, TwinSpires.com, Churchill Downs' horse racing app and the official betting partner of the Kentucky Derby, will host its own live stream online.
NBC Sports is available on DISH and DIRECTV in PA.
NBC affiliates in Pennsylvania include:
- Erie – WICU-TV 12
- Johnstown – WJAC-TV 6
- Lancaster – WGAL 8
- Philadelphia – WCAU 10
- Pittsburgh – WPXI 11
- Wilkes-Barre – WBRE-TV 28
The Kentucky Derby is the first leg of the American Triple Crown, followed by the Preakness Stakes (May 18) and the Belmont Stakes (June 8).
145th Kentucky Derby post positions and betting odds
Here is a look at this year's Derby field.
| Post | Horse | Jockey | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | War of Will | Tyler Gaffalione | 15/1 |
| 2 | Tax | Junior Alvarado | 20/1 |
| 3 | By My Standards | Gabriel Saez | 15/1 |
| 4 | Gray Magician | Drayden Van Dyke | 50/1 |
| 5 | Improbable | Irad Ortiz Jr. | 5/1 |
| 6 | Vekoma | Javier Castellano | 15/1 |
| 7 | Maximum Security | Luis Saez | 8/1 |
| 8 | Tacitus | Jose Ortiz | 8/1 |
| 9 | Plus Que Parfait | Ricardo Santana Jr. | 30/1 |
| 10 | Cutting Humor | Corey Lanerie | 30/1 |
| 11 | Haikal | Rajiv Maragh | 30/1 |
| 12 | Code of Honor | John Velazquez | 12/1 |
| 13 | Win Win Win | Julian Pimentel | 12/1 |
| 14 | Master Fencer | Julien Leparoux | 50/1 |
| 15 | Game Winner | Joel Rosario | 9/2 |
| 16 | Roadster | Florent Geroux | 5/1 |
| 17 | Long Range Toddy | Jon Court | 30/1 |
| 18 | Spinoff | Manny Franco | 30/1 |
| 19 | Country House | Flavien Prat | 30/1 |
| 20 | Bodexpress | Chris Landeros | 30/1 |
With the original favorite, Omaha Beach, now a scratch, this is one of the more wide-open Derby's in recent memory. With a chance of rain, look for horses that fare well in muddy conditions.
If you want to go with pedigree, the two Bob Baffert-trained horses, Roadster and Game Winner, seem to be the frontrunners, and for good reason. Baffert has trained a Derby-winning horse five times. With a win Saturday, he would tie the all-time record.
Last year's winning jockey, Mike Smith, was set to ride Omaha Beach. However, the 2017 winning jockey, John R. Velazquez, will be in the race, riding Code of Honor. That horse is currently going off at 12-1.
Handicapping the KY Derby horses
1) Tacitus
After winning the Tampa Bay Derby and the Wood Memorial leading up to the Kentucky Derby, the Bill Mott-trained Tacitus comes in as one of the favorites opening at 6 to 1.
2) Vekoma
Vekoma won the 2019 Blue Grass Stakes heading into the Kentucky Derby. Trained by Louisville local George Weaver, Vekoma opened at 15 to 1.
3) Plus Que Parfait
Plus Que Parfait finished first in the UAE Derby, but Dubai-based horses have never done well in Kentucky. The Brendan Walsh-trained horse is a longshot to win opening at a lofty 50 to 1.
4) Roadster
Trainer Bob Baffert has compared Roadster to 2018 Triple Crown winner Justify. After surgery to correct a breathing problem, Roadster won the Santa Anita Derby this year and looks to be another Kentucky Derby favorite opening at 5 to 1.
5) By My Standards
The Bret Calhoun-trained By My Standards won at the Louisiana Derby on the path to the Kentucky Derby. However, horses from the Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans have not finished strong in Louisville. By My Standards opened at 20 to 1.
6) Maximum Security
Maximum Security is an undefeated horse coming off a wire-to-wire win in the Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park. Trained by Jason Servis, Maximum Security opened at 10 to 1.
7) Game Winner
The Bob Baffert-trained Game Winner finished second to 2019 Kentucky Derby favorites Roadster and Omaha Beach in consecutive Kentucky Derby prep races. However, the horse won the Breeders' Cup Juvenile and division championship as a 2-year-old. Game Winner opened at 8 to 1.
8) Code of Honor
The Shug McGaughey-trained Code of Honor earned the points necessary for a Kentucky Derby berth finishing third in the Florida Derby. However, the horse did win the Fountain of Youth at Gulfstream Park and will open at the Kentucky Derby at 15 to 1.
Safe Betting On Kentucky Derby Results
9) Haikal
Haikal finished third in the Wood Memorial coming off a Gotham Stakes win at Aqueduct. The Kiaran McLaughlin-trained horse opens at 30 to 1.
10) Improbable
Improbable opens at 10 to 1 after two second-place finishes this year, the last one in the Arkansas Derby. The Bob Baffert-trained horse is possibly a threat to win and most definitely to place.
11) War of Will
War of Will opens at 20 to 1 coming off a ninth-place finish in the Louisiana Derby. However, Trainer Mark Casse had most pundits thinking War of Will was a Derby favorite before a bad start in that race. He won the Lecomte and Risen Star and the price is right.
12) Long Range Toddy
A sixth-place finish in the Arkansas Derby has the Steve Asmussen-trained Long Range Toddy opening at 30-1. However, he has four career victories, including a win over Improbable in the Rebel.
13) Tax
Tax finished second in the Wood Memorial. Trainer Danny Gargan has turned this one-time claiming horse into his first Derby starter, but not likely a contender. Tax opens at 30 to 1.
14) Cutting Humor
Cutting Humor is coming off a win at the Sunland Derby. However, the Todd Pletcher-trained horse opens at 30-1 with pundits giving Cutting Humor little chance of repeating that feat.
15) Win Win Win
Win Win Win probably won't at the Kentucky Derby this year. Trainer Mike Trombetta got a win at Tampa Bay Downs in January, and a runner-up finish at the Blue Grass Stakes out of the horse. However, he never really challenged Vekoma in that race and will open at 30 to 1.
16) Country House
Country House will open at 30 to 1 after coming in third at the Arkansas Derby for trainer Bill Mott. Unless you believe the sloppy track at Oaklawn Park was to blame, Country House will not be a real factor in the 2019 Kentucky Derby.
17) Gray Magician
Gray Magician is a real longshot to win the 2019 Kentucky Derby opening at 50-1. This is the Peter Miller-trained horse that finished runner-up in the UAE Derby.
18) Spinoff
Spinoff is yet another horse that will open at 30 to 1 after a runner-up finish in his last race. Spinoff's second came in the Louisiana Derby where the Todd Pletcher–trained horse gave up the lead down the stretch.
19) Master Fencer
Kentucky Derby Betting Board
Master Fencer is the Japanese invite to the race and will come in as the other true longshot opening at 50-1. Trained by former jockey Koichi Tsunoda, Master Fencer has never won a stakes race. Co-owner Katsumi Yoshizawa said he feels lucky just to be there and his biggest hope is that the horse returns home safely.
