The Kentucky Derby happens Saturday, May 3 at Churchill Downs. The race is the most famous of the year, and for great reason. The 1 ¼-mile dirt race has been a tradition every year since 1875. 20 of the best three-year-olds will line up for a share of a $5 million purse, the iconic blanket of Kentucky Derby roses, and a place in horse racing history.
There is no better way to win big on the races than betting on the Kentucky Derby. After all, with such a huge field, there are always live long shots and anyone who solves the puzzle gets paid big! Keep on reading to see the best online racebooks for betting the Kentucky Derby online, and to see expert picks for the 2025 Kentucky Derby!
Going to Churchill Downs for the Kentucky Derby can be fun – but not all of us can make it there, and sometimes we want to enjoy the fastest two minutes in sports without having to deal with the crowds. You can be a part of the Kentucky Derby action from anywhere by betting online! These online horse betting sites are here to give you the best odds and a great betting experience from anywhere in Kentucky!
Our reviews will help you find the best betting site fast. Every site we recommend has the basics: trusted payouts, a great interface, and market-leading odds. You can also cash racebook bonuses on the Kentucky Derby and races all year long like sign-up and deposit bonuses, promotional incentives, and horse racing rebates you’ll never find at the track!
Here are the best options for betting the Kentucky Derby online in Kentucky:
Kentucky Derby Contenders
The official field for the 2025 Kentucky Derby with post positions, jockeys and trainers, and morning lines is:
Baeza only gets into the race if at least one horse scratches from the main field before 9:00 a.m. Friday morning, when Kentucky Derby betting begins.
Yes, the morning line can be helpful for sorting out which horses are expected to take action at the windows. However, since betting on track does not close until the race starts, it is not a guarantee of a price at the track. Lock in the best odds on the Kentucky Derby by betting at an online racebook. Since you can bet fixed odds, the odds you bet are the odds you get!
These are the Kentucky Derby odds for horses at the top of the market:
For the best bet in the 2025 Kentucky Derby, look no further than Burnham Square. He comes out of a victory in the Blue Grass where he ran down East Avenue. Though East Avenue went fast early that day, he had a lone lead, and this time Burnham Square will get to run down a multi-way pace battle, an even better setup.
Burnham Square breaks from a cozy middle gate, and it’s a positive that his jockey Brian Hernandez knows Churchill Downs and has won the Run for the Roses before. (In fact, he did it just last year with Mystik Dan!) And, for a square middle price, this is a lot to like about the in-form Burnham Square.
Journalism is favored across all major Kentucky Derby markets, and deservedly so. He shined throughout the Southern California spur of the Kentucky Derby trail, beating horse after horse from Bob Baffert’s deep bench of sophomores. He has the tactical speed to stay out of a duel, he is bred well for stamina, and he can even handle trouble, as he showed in the Santa Anita Derby (G1).
With so much pace signed on for the Derby, closers Sovereignty and Sandman will both rightfully be near the top of the market, too. Sovereignty is preferred between them, both because of a graded-stakes win at Churchill Downs as well as the fact that Sandman still has some growing up to do mentally – his Tapit is showing, if you will. However, neither would be a surprise to run on well late.
Chunk of Gold and Grande are both appealing for the lower rungs of exotics. Chunk of Gold rallied for second in both the Risen Star (G2) and the Louisiana Derby (G2), two races with live recent profiles, and will love all the pace in front of him. Grande has just three starts, but hall of fame jockey John Velazquez has elite Kentucky Derby experience, and can take advantage of Grande’s good draw, pace versatility, and stamina breeding.
You’ve got your online betting account all set up, and you’ve gotten to know the leading contenders for the Kentucky Derby. Now there’s just one thing left to do, and it’s the most fun of all: place your bets on the Run for the Roses!
These are the best bets for the 2025 Kentucky Derby:
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