How to Bet on the Kentucky Derby on Your Phone and Online

James Bisson - Head of Content, Betting
James Bisson • Head of Content, Betting 16+ years betting experience
Updated: May 3, 2025 , 09:30 AM ET • 4 min read

Make the most of Derby Day by learning how to wager on "The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports."

Kristen Heuing (left) and Jessica Tellez check their phones before the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.
Photo By - Imagn Images. Kristen Heuing (left) and Jessica Tellez check their phones before the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.

The Kentucky Derby represents one of the biggest betting days of the year. Horse racing diehards, and folks who don’t know a horse stable from a poker table all want to place a few dollars on the ponies at Churchill Downs each May. Betting on the Derby has never been more convenient, and below we will look at how you can bet on the Kentucky Derby on your phone.

Sign up now to bet on the Kentucky Derby! 

Want to skip ahead and bet on the Kentucky Derby now? You can with FanDuel Racing in the U.S. and bet365 in Canada. These sites often have awesome bonus offers for new users including the ones listed below:


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Best Kentucky Derby betting sites

USA Where to bet on the Derby in the USA

FanDuel New Users
Bet $5, Get $200 in bonus bets if you win! Claim Now
Available in IL, IN, LA, MA, MD, MI, NY, OH, PA, VA, WV, WY.
CO users: Get $200 instantly when you place a $5 bet. 

FanDuel New Users
Get a $500 No-Sweat First Bet! Claim Now
Available in AZ, AR, CA, CO, DE, FL, IL, IN, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MN, ND, NH, NY, NM, OH, OR, PA, RI, SD, WA, VA, WV, WY.


Canada Bet on the Kentucky Derby in Canada

bet365New Users
Bet $5, get $150 in bonus bets! Claim Now
*Not available in Ontario.


21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER


How to bet on the Kentucky Derby on your phone

The days of going to the track to place an off-shore bet, or meeting up with a local bookie are well over. You can now bet on the Kentucky Derby from the convenience of your couch. Here is a list of steps on how to sign up and bet on the Kentucky Derby:

  1. Use the links provided in this article to sign up for FanDuel Racing or bet365.
  2. Create an account: These horse racing betting sites will ask for information upon sign up, such as your name, address, email, phone number, DOB and last four digits of your social security number. You will also be asked to enter bank information so you can deposit and withdraw funds. After entering this information, you will be asked to create a user name and password for your account.
  3. Deposit funds and get bonus bets: Both FanDuel Racing and bet365 will ask new users to deposit at least $10 into their account to get started. Once you deposit funds, you will obtain your bonus bets/welcome offer.
  4. Bet on the Derby!: Now you are ready to bet on the 2025 Kentucky Derby! It’s that simple!

How to find the Kentucky Derby race listing

Your first time betting at a horse racing site like FanDuel Racing or bet365 can be a little intimidating. The Kentucky Derby race itself is one of just dozens of races across the country happening on Saturday, May 3.

You will want to find “Featured Races” for Saturday, May 3. 

Make sure the race you want to bet on is at “Churchill Downs.”

Be advised, however, that the Kentucky Derby is not the only horse race at Churchill Downs today. In fact, there are 11 races at Churchill Downs before the Kentucky Derby and two races at Churchill Downs after the Kentucky Derby.

This year’s Kentucky Derby will be listed as “Race 12.” It is scheduled to start at 6:57 p.m. ET. The race will be broadcast live on NBC and will stream live on Peacock and Fubo.

Another easy way to make sure that you’re betting on the right race is simply to know which horses are running. This year’s Kentucky Derby favorites are Journalism (3-1), Sovereignty (5-1) Sandman (6-1). Be sure to look for those horses to be certain you’re betting on the right race.

Here is a look at a full board of Kentucky Derby odds:

Post Horse FanDuel * bet365 **
8 Journalism +300 3-1 +300
18 Sovereignty +500 5-1 +500
17 Sandman +600 6-1 +600
9 Burnham Square +1200 12-1 +1200
21 Baeza +1200 12-1 +1200
7 Luxor Cafe +1500 15-1 +1500
1 Citizen Bull +2000 20-1 +2000
12 East Avenue +2000 20-1 +2000
13 Publisher +2000 20-1 +2000
14 Tiztastic +2000 20-1 +2000
2 Neoequos +3000 30-1 +3000
3 Final Gambit +3000 30-1 +3000
5 American Promise +3000 30-1 +3000
6 Admire Daytona +3000 30-1 +3000
11 Flying Mohawk +3000 30-1 +3000
15 Render Judgement +3000 30-1 +3000
16 Coal Battle +3000 30-1 +3000
19 Chunk of Gold +3000 30-1 +3000
20 Owen Almighty +3000 30-1 +3000
4 Rodriguez OTB 12-1 OTB
10 Grande OTB 20-1 OTB

*FanDuel Racing odds available in AZ, CO, IL, IN, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, NY, OH, PA, VA, WV, WY

**bet365 Kentucky Derby odds are not available in the United States

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James Bisson
Head of Content, Betting

James Bisson is the Editor-in-Chief at Covers. He has been a writer, reporter and editor for more than 20 years, including a nine-year stint with The Canadian Press and more than five years at theScore. He has covered dozens of marquee events including the 2010 Winter Olympics, the 2006 Stanley Cup final and Wrestlemania 23, and his work has appeared in more than 200 publications, including the Los Angeles Times, the Guardian, Yahoo! Sports, the Toronto Star and The Globe and Mail.

His book, “100 Greatest Canadian Sports Moments”, was a hardcover best-seller in Canada in 2008 and earned him appearances on CBC Radio and Canada AM. He has written more than 50 sportsbook reviews, more than 200 industry news articles, and dozens of other sportsbook-related content articles.

A graduate of the broadcast journalism program at Ryerson University (now Toronto Metropolitan University), James has been an avid bettor since the early 2000s, and cites bet365 as his favorite sports betting site due to its superior functionality and quick payouts. His biggest professional highlight: Covering Canada's first Olympic gold medal on home soil – and interviewing Bret Hart. Twice.

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