Best Kentucky Derby Betting Sites & Promos: Where to Bet on the Kentucky Derby in May 2025
Best Kentucky Derby betting sites
To maximize the value of your Kentucky Derby bets, claim the top sportsbook promos from leading operators:
| 🏆 Kentucky Derby betting sites |
💰 Welcome bonus |
✅ Promo code |
|---|---|---|
| ⭐ FanDuel Racing | $500 No Sweat First Bet |
Claim $500 without code |
| ⭐ FanDuel Sportsbook | Bet $5, Win $200 |
Claim $200 without code |
Where to bet on the Kentucky Derby in Ontario
Sports bettors in Canada's most populous province can wager on horse racing online with bet365. Two Woodbine-owned websites also allow Ontarians to scratch that horse racing betting itch for the Churchill Downs race.
HPIbet and Dark Horse Bets are other approved online Kentucky Derby betting destinations in 2025, but both websites offer inferior wagering experiences.
bet365 horse racing pari-mutuel betting in association with Woodbine Entertainment Group.
FanDuel Racing - Best for Kentucky Derby odds
$500 No Sweat First Bet
No code required
I know this might be bold, but I truly believe that FanDuel Racing is the only option for Kentucky Derby betting in 2025. Not only can you score sharp odds on every race for the day, which you can track easily thanks to its slick 'Scheduled Races' section on the side, but you can also register now and claim its generous welcome offer ahead of the 151st Kentucky Derby — a '$500 No Sweat Bet'. The ability to receive such a large safety net for the year's marquee horse racing event is too good to pass up, in my opinion.
Where FanDuel Racing wins and fails
No FanDuel Racing promo code is required to unlock a '$500 No Sweat Bet' welcome offer, which rewards a bonus equal to your qualifying Kentucky Derby wager if it loses.
Live streaming is available on-site via FanDuelTV.
Score several additional exclusive bonuses for the 2025 Kentucky Derby, such as a 'Race of the Day' bonus and a 'Money Back Special' for second or third place finishers on select races.
You must wager $500 to maximize the FanDuel Kentucky Derby bonus.
Top user review
"Truthfully I enjoy FanDuel Racing. The live streams seem more clear and faster, the UI is much more clean then other apps I have used, and overall I just enjoy it a lot more. I am switching over from TVG, and I just seem to enjoy it more."
- Reddit user
FanDuel Racing at a glance
| Sign-up bonus | $500 No Sweat First Bet |
| Payout speed | Within 24 hours |
| App availability |   |
| Legal states | AR, AZ, CA, CO, DE, FL, ID, IL, IN, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MN, MT, ND, NH, NM, NY, OH, OR, PA, RI, SD, VA, WA, WV, WY |
| Last app update | April 2025 |
Uncover more about the best Kentucky Derby betting site via our FanDuel review and FanDuel promo code guide.
How to bet on the Kentucky Derby
The 151st running of the Kentucky Derby is here. With so much hype surrounding horse racing's yearly marquee event, we've provided horse racing fans a brief breakdown below of everything you need to know about how to bet on the Kentucky Derby in 2025:
When is the Kentucky Derby?
The 151st Kentucky Derby takes place this Saturday.
Where is the Kentucky Derby?
The 2025 Kentucky Derby will be held at Churchill Downs, a legendary horse race track in Louisville, Kentucky.
What time is the main Kentucky Derby race?
The post time for the main event of the 151st Kentucky Derby is scheduled for approximately 6:57 p.m. ET.
How to watch the Kentucky Derby?
There are several ways to watch the 151st Kentucky Derby this Saturday. If you have access to FanDuel, you can live stream 2025's biggest horse race via FanDuel TV — a commercial-free sports network. You can also watch the Kentucky Derby on NBC, Peacock, USA Network, or Fubo.
What horse is favored to win the Kentucky Derby in 2025?
Santa Anita Derby winner Journalism is the current favorite to win the 151st Kentucky Derby. Journalism will break from post eight when they spring the latch on the "Run for the Roses.". Covers' Geoff Zochodne outlines the latest stories and spicy odds that could help stoke Kentucky Derby betting.
Covers Expert Analysis
FanDuel Kentucky Derby betting
FanDuel Racing is the best Kentucky Derby betting site in 2025. You can access the online racebook in various ways, depending on where you reside, as the dedicated FanDuel Racing app is only available in select states. Meanwhile, bettors in the remaining regions where horse wagering is permitted can access the platform via the traditional FanDuel Sportsbook.
| State | FanDuel Racing app | FanDuel Sportsbook & Racing |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona | ✅ | ❌ |
| Arkansas | ✅ | ❌ |
| California | ✅ | ❌ |
| Colorado | ✅ | ✅ |
| Delaware | ✅ | ❌ |
| Florida | ✅ | ❌ |
| Illinois | ✅ | ✅ |
| Indiana | ✅ | ✅ |
| Kentucky | ✅ | ❌ |
| Louisiana | ✅ | ✅ |
| Maryland | ✅ | ✅ |
| Massachusetts | ✅ | ✅ |
| Michigan | ✅ | ✅ |
| Minnesota | ✅ | ❌ |
| New Hampshire | ✅ | ❌ |
| New Mexico | ✅ | ❌ |
| New York | ✅ | ✅ |
| Ohio | ✅ | ✅ |
| Oregon | ✅ | ❌ |
| Pennsylvania | ✅ | ✅ |
| Rhode Island | ✅ | ❌ |
| South Dakota | ✅ | ❌ |
| Virginia | ✅ | ✅ |
| Washington | ✅ | ❌ |
| West Virginia | ✅ | ✅ |
| Wyoming | ✅ | ✅ |
Both FanDuel platforms provide an exceptional Kentucky Derby betting experience but with a few minor variations, such as:
Bonuses from FanDuel Sportsbook to FanDuel Racing are not transferable. However, any existing funds or winnings can be used on both platforms. TVG — a live horse betting and streaming feature — is exclusive to the FanDuel Racing app. Where to bet on the Kentucky Derby in Canada
Of the top sports betting Canada options for horse racing, we recommend using BetVictor, Pinnacle, and 888sport for your Derby wagering.
100% Bonus up to $600
No code required
Best Odds, High Limits
100% Bonus up to $500
Code: COVERSBONUS
Kentucky Derby odds 2025
Churchill Downs is expecting record-like Kentucky Derby results this year in terms of betting, meaning should analyze the field to identify top contenders and sleepers for the 151st running of the iconic race.
Journalism sits atop the Kentucky Derby odds board in 2025, having pulled off an impressive victory over Baeza in the Santa Anita Derby in early April. While he's earned his spot as the favorite, Sovereignty and Sandman aren't lagging far behind.
Check out the table below for a complete picture of the current Kentucky Derby odds, and for additional expert insight and analysis on the 2025 Kentucky Derby horses, peruse our guide on the Kentucky Derby Post Positions.
| 🏆 Post | 🐎 Horse | 📊 FanDuel Racing odds |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | Journalism | +300 |
| 18 | Sovereignty | +500 |
| 17 | Sandman | +600 |
| 4 | Rodriguez | +1200 |
| 9 | Burnham Square | +1200 |
| 7 | Luxor Cafe | +1500 |
| 1 | Citizen Bull | +2000 |
| 10 | Grande | +2000 |
| 12 | East Avenue | +2000 |
| 13 | Publisher | +2000 |
| 14 | Tiztastic | +2000 |
| 2 | Neoequos | +3000 |
| 3 | Final Gambit | +3000 |
| 5 | American Promise | +3000 |
| 6 | Admire Daytona | +3000 |
| 11 | Flying Mohawk | +3000 |
| 15 | Render Judgement | +3000 |
| 16 | Coal Battle | +3000 |
| 19 | Chunk of Gold | +3000 |
| 20 | Owen Almighty | +3000 |
| AE 21 | Baeza | +1200 |
Reading Kentucky Derby odds
Although some U.S. sportsbooks may use American odds, Kentucky Derby odds are typically displayed as fractions.
Fractional odds (ex. 10/1) can be interpreted by taking the numerator (the top number), dividing it by the denominator (the bottom number), and multiplying the sum by the amount you wish to bet.
For example, if you wagered $100 on 2024 Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan at his final odds of 18/1, you would've walked away with $1,800.
18 / 1 = 18
18 x $100 = $1,800
When the denominator is "1," fractional odds are easy to calculate. However, sometimes you'll see a "2" or maybe even a "5" here. In this case, follow the same formula to calculate potential winnings. For example, placing a $100 wager on 9/5 odds would suggest you’re in line to win $180.
9 / 5 = 1.8
1.8 x $100 = $180
Check out our horse racing odds page and our odds calculator to switch between fractional, decimal, and American odds and calculate potential Kentucky Derby payouts.
Popular Kentucky Derby bet types
There's more to Kentucky Derby betting than simply picking a single horse to win. Trusted Kentucky Derby betting sites offer odds for a wide range of online wagers, giving handicappers plenty of exciting bets to sweat on race day. Here are some of the most popular choices:
Straight bets
Kentucky Derby bettors can get started with straight bets. These straightforward wagers — win, place, and show — allow you to choose a horse to win the race outright or finish in the top two or top three.
Win bet 
If you're confident a thoroughbred can earn a victory in the first leg of the Triple Crown, you can pick it to win the race outright.
Place bet or
For a lesser payout, you can bet that a horse will finish in either first or second place. This type of wager leaves you some wiggle room in the event of a photo finish.
Show bet or or
Go with a show bet if you think your colt, gelding, or filly will come in first, second, or third place. You'll have much better odds here, so expect a significantly smaller payday.
Exotic bets
While it can certainly be fun to sweat straight bets, exotic wagers take Kentucky Derby betting to another level of excitement. The following bet types involve choosing two or more horses and can result in much more lucrative winnings.
Exacta +
Predict the first and second place horses in order, and you have yourself an exacta. This type of wager is more difficult than a win or place bet but will offer a bigger reward should you win.
Trifecta + +
A trifecta wager asks you to pick the first, second, and third-place finishers of the Kentucky Derby in order.
Superfecta + + +
To win a superfecta wager, you'll have to correctly identify the first four horses to complete the race in order.
Super high-five + + + +
Predictably, a super high-five calls on bettors to pick the exact order of the top five horses. While a tall order, the reward here is substantial, to say the least.
How we rate Kentucky Derby betting sites
Trusted Kentucky Derby betting sites should check all of the boxes. We recommend online horse betting sites and app that are safe, reliable, and feature-rich. The following criteria should be top of mind when choosing where you place your Kentucky Derby wagers:
Bonuses and promotions
The best betting sites engage new users with generous sportsbook promos. Some Kentucky Derby betting sites and horse racing apps may even feature special offers for the big event.
Mobile betting
Our recommended Kentucky Derby betting sites also have responsive and intuitive mobile sports betting apps for iPhone and Android devices. Rest assured that you can use FanDuel Racing — the best horse racing betting app in 2025 — to place your Kentucky Derby wagers whenever you may be at post time.
Customer support
The top sites for wagering for horse racing give users various ways to reach out to customer support agents. Accessible and reliable live chat, email, and phone support are necessary.
Banking and payout speed
You value your bankroll — and so should the betting site you've chosen to trust with your cash. The best Kentucky Derby betting sites vie for the title of best sportsbook for payouts in 2025 to ensure you have quick access to your horse winnings when the Derby concludes.
Security and trust
When betting on the Kentucky Derby, you want to use a reputable website with a long-standing track record of treating customer information with confidentiality and care. The trusted Kentucky Derby betting sites featured above are licensed and regulated at the state level and do their part to ensure your personal details are stored safely.
Legal Kentucky Derby betting states
While sports bettors can enjoy some form of online or retail wagering in 38 states (+ DC), horse racing enthusiasts have even more legal options if they cannot physically be at Churchill Downs for the event. Refer to the table below to see if horse race betting is legal in your state via the FanDuel Racing app.
| State | Legal horse racing | FanDuel Racing |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | ❌ | ❌ |
| Alabama | ✅ | ❌ |
| Arizona | ✅ | ✅ |
| Arkansas | ✅ | ✅ |
| California | ✅ | ✅ |
| Colorado | ✅ | ✅ |
| Connecticut | ✅ | ❌ |
| DC | ❌ | ❌ |
| Delaware | ✅ | ✅ |
| Florida | ✅ | ✅ |
| Georgia | ❌ | ❌ |
| Hawaii | ❌ | ❌ |
| Idaho | ✅ | ✅ |
| Illinois | ✅ | ✅ |
| Indiana | ✅ | ✅ |
| Iowa | ✅ | ❌ |
| Kansas | ✅ | ❌ |
| Kentucky | ✅ | ✅ |
| Louisiana | ✅ | ✅ |
| Maine | ✅ | ❌ |
| Maryland | ✅ | ✅ |
| Massachusetts | ✅ | ✅ |
| Michigan | ✅ | ✅ |
| Minnesota | ✅ | ✅ |
| Mississippi | ❌ | ❌ |
| Missouri | ✅ | ❌ |
| Montana | ✅ | ✅ |
| Nebraska | ✅ | ❌ |
| Nevada | ❌ | ❌ |
| New Hampshire | ✅ | ✅ |
| New Jersey | ✅ | ❌ |
| New Mexico | ✅ | ✅ |
| New York | ✅ | ✅ |
| North Carolina | ❌ | ❌ |
| North Dakota | ✅ | ✅ |
| Ohio | ✅ | ✅ |
| Oklahoma | ✅ | ❌ |
| Oregon | ✅ | ✅ |
| Pennsylvania | ✅ | ✅ |
| Rhode Island | ✅ | ✅ |
| South Carolina | ❌ | ❌ |
| South Dakota | ✅ | ✅ |
| Tennessee | ✅ | ❌ |
| Texas | ❌ | ❌ |
| Utah | ❌ | ❌ |
| Vermont | ✅ | ❌ |
| Virginia | ✅ | ✅ |
| Washington | ✅ | ❌ |
| West Virginia | ✅ | ✅ |
| Wisconsin | ✅ | ❌ |
| Wyoming | ✅ | ✅ |
Blacklisted Kentucky Derby betting sites
See all blacklisted sportsbooks 
Some offshore betting sites claim to be legal Kentucky Derby wagering platforms. However, these sites are not regulated or licensed in the U.S. and have been known to treat customers poorly. We strongly recommend steering clear of these blacklisted betting sites at all costs.
- Allegations of withdrawal issues
- No license information available on site
- Poor customer service
- Multiple reports of slow payments
- Allegations of non-payments
- Risk of account closure simply for winning bets
- Reports of confiscated winnings
- Slow customer support response times
Best betting sites by sport
Interested in the best betting sites for other sports? We've identified and highlighted the top operators for each of the following sports:
Kentucky Derby betting sites FAQ
Yes. You may legally wager on the Kentucky Derby on a mobile device, desktop computer, or tablet. Wagering on horse racing is easy with any of the above trusted Kentucky Derby betting sites.
If you live in a state with legal online horse racing betting, you may wager on the 151st running on one of the Kentucky Derby betting sites above.
Covers strongly recommends FanDuel and the FanDuel Racing app for Kentucky Derby betting.
Yes, you can bet on the Kentucky Derby on FanDuel or the FanDuel Racing app.
No, DraftKings does not have a horse racing section on its website or mobile app. However, states with access to DK Horse may place horse racing bets online.
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