There is nothing quite like the Kentucky Derby when it comes to horse racing. Every year, fans from all over the world bet on the Derby online at some of the best sites because they know they can get good odds and even better payouts on what is essentially a two-minute race. The 145th edition of this long-running North American horse race will take place on May 4, 2025 and, as always, will be held at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky.
Every year, the horse race brings a lot of excitement not only to the fans, but also to the gamblers who like to bet on what's going to happen during the event. You can bet on all sorts of things during the horse racing event. Most people tend to go for the traditional bets that include picking a horse to win, place or show. But if you want to make some unconventional bets on some wild props, the horse racing event is a good time to do so.
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Kentucky Derby Online Betting Odds
What are the 2025 Kentucky Derby odds? Easy peasy! Just log on to pretty much any legal betting site in a state where you can, and you will find the updated Derby odds right there on the site. No need to go all the way to Churchill Downs!
It is never too early to start looking at possible contenders for the 2025 Kentucky Derby. As the date approaches, you can check out the betting markets and start researching interesting names for their chances. Also, be sure to keep an eye out for any news related to the event. When it comes to making early online Kentucky Derby picks, you can make your predictions now or wait until the last few minutes before the betting windows close.
When betting on the 2025 Kentucky Derby it is important to keep up to date with the odds. An even better plan is to check the current odds frequently online, as they can and do change on a daily basis. To make sure you are getting the best value when you decide to place a bet, compare the odds offered by different sportsbooks before deciding where to place your bet.
The winner of the 2025 Kentucky Derby will be determined by the pari-mutuel system, which calculates odds based on the not-exhaustive but certainly impressive sums of money wagered by bettors. All we can really say before the race is that the horses that actually run in May are far more likely to run in a profitable direction than any of us sitting on our couches betting in the virtual lounges of TwinSpires.com or FanDuel.
Bookmakers will set initial odds for each horse in the 2025 Kentucky Derby field based on the amount of money wagered on them. Wagering amounts on individual horses that are good bets (i.e., horses that are likely to win) will cause those horses' odds to decrease over time. Conversely, horses that are unlikely to win (for various reasons) and that people do not bet on will see their odds increase. Thus, the 2025 Kentucky Derby will have a set of odds that is never stable and is always changing, much like a stock market in which the horses are the stocks.
How to Bet on the Kentucky Derby
Discover how to bet on the Kentucky Derby through online media, as advised by our expert horse racing tipsters. These guidelines are not limited to those just starting out with horse racing betting; even seasoned bettors can pick up a nugget or two of useful information. At first glance, it may seem a little intimidating to see all the different types of bets you can place right from your computer or mobile device. But don't worry, we've got it under control, and so will you. So let's start with the basics of how to bet on horses online - legally and safely.
- Most importantly, bettors must study past Derby events. The Kentucky Derby website provides a comprehensive list of Derby contenders and an overview of their past performances.
- When you sign up with one of our legally licensed horse racing bookmakers, you'll receive a fantastic welcome bonus. With this bonus you can make some crazy Kentucky Derby futures bets.
- Fund your account and check out the Kentucky Derby schedule before placing your bets.
- Pick the best Derby horse odds you can find and make a profit on horse racing.

History of the Kentucky Derby Race
The upcoming Kentucky Derby 2025 is here, and it's that time of year again - people are already picking the winners! With the first Derby race in 1875 and no interruptions since, it's hard to name a more stable tradition in American horse racing. What makes it even harder to pick a horse to bet on is that the odds can change from now until they line up on that first Saturday in May. You see, the pre-race hype definitely influences the betting line!
Betting on the Kentucky Derby adds to the thrill of watching this time-honored event. Since the Kentucky Derby is part of a trifecta of races that also includes the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes, bettors would be wise to look at which thoroughbreds are favored to win the 2025 edition. To date, only thirteen horses have managed to win this made-in-America event while also taking the other two races in the series.
Betting lines for the 2025 Kentucky Derby are already trickling out from the oddsmakers, and early indications show that Justify's stablemate Improbable is the current favorite to win. Oddsmakers have yet to set official morning lines, but some horses are already being pointed toward the first leg of the Triple Crown in 2025, suggesting a possible rematch between Improbable and several other contenders.
Kentucky Derby Betting Lines
Although betting on horses is relatively simple, with more than 256 different types of bets available for the Kentucky Derby alone, it is possible to achieve greater profitability by placing more exotic bets. The Kentucky Derby prep season provides an ideal opportunity to scout the Thoroughbreds that are potential top contenders for the Run for the Roses. The first leg of the Triple Crown promises to be a key indicator of where the betting public is leaning, with a variety of options expressing the apparent consensus and, in many cases, the best odds available. A. The most popular Kentucky Derby betting lines are
- Kentucky Derby Future Odds - bet on the Kentucky Derby future odds, looking at the jockey and trainer with the most potential to win the entire tournament.
- Exacta Betting - Wager on the margin of victory in the race by looking at the two most prominent horses to finish first and second.
- Horse Racing Props - predicting various events surrounding the contest that are not necessarily related to the race.
- Morning Line Bets - Sportsbooks list all the entries for the race and the potential odds on each horse before betting begins.
- Win Bets - Although not the most rewarding, players can bet on the jockeys and trainers who have placed the best Thoroughbred to win the race.
Betting on the Kentucky Derby Strategy
There are certain things to consider when choosing a jockey and trainer to bet on. Our Kentucky Derby betting tips and strategies will help you make smart, informed bets.
- Bettors should place their money on a trainer who is likely to win the Derby and has had a strong prep season. Gary Stevens, Calvin Borel, Kent Desormeaux and Victor Espinoza have each won the race three times.
- Avoid the high-priced horses, which can run into the millions. Historically, it has been the cheap horses that have won the Kentucky Derby.
- Florida Derby winners have typically done well at Churchill Downs in Kentucky. Bettors should consider backing a rider who has either won the Derby or at least done well in the FL Derby.
Most Recent Kentucky Derby Winners in the Last 10 Years
Year | Winner |
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 The Bird |
2008 | Big Brown |