Historic, 23-to-1 winning long shot Golden Tempo capped a 152nd Kentucky Derby on Saturday that generated less betting than the previous year.
Key Takeaways
- Race week betting was up 13% year-over-year.
- The Run for the Roses generated $225 million in bets.
- A horse with a female trainer won for the first time.
Churchill Downs Inc. announced that all-sources wagering for the entire race week reached $487 million, a 13% year-over-year increase and a new handle record. However, the Derby itself saw a 3.8% drop in wagering compared to 2025’s record $234 million.
Saturday’s race generated $225 million, which is still the second-highest ever recorded.
Official Kentucky Derby betting partner TwinSpires reported flat year-over-year handle of $57 million in betting on the Run for the Roses, but race week wagering rose 6% to a record $129 million.
The Derby Day program generated a 1% year-over-year increase to $89 million, another all-time high.
Enjoying Covers content? Add us as a preferred source on your Google account
First woman trainer
Golden Tempo became the first horse trained by a woman to win the Kentucky Derby. Ridden by Jose Ortiz and trained by Cherie DeVaux, Golden Tempo surged from the back of the pack to cover the 1 ¼-mile track in 2:02.27, collecting a $3.1 million payout by edging favorite Renegade (5-to-1) by a neck.
GOLDEN TEMPO WINS THE KENTUCKY DERBY. pic.twitter.com/0wM23p3azF
— Kentucky Derby (@KentuckyDerby) May 2, 2026
Sired by Curlin, Golden Tempo closed at 23-to-1, but the horse was as long as +3000 at times during race week. A $2 bet paid on Saturday paid out $48.24 on the winner, $19.14 for place, and $11.90 for show. A $1 exacta paid out $278.
A $1 trifecta that included Renegade and third-place horse Ocelli paid out $11,250, while a $1 superfecta ticket was worth $94,489.
Profitable week
Pari-mutuel betting has exploded across the U.S. since PASPA was overturned in 2018, when states could legalize and regulate sports betting. Many have added horse racing. DraftKings, second in U.S. market share, offered Kentucky Derby betting in over 25 states last week.
As the event and the other races surrounding it have become more popular, the Kentucky Derby has become more profitable. Churchill Downs projected Adjusted EBITDA of $15 million to $18 million in year-over-year growth for the racetrack during Derby Week, which would be a company record.
“We commend the connections of Golden Tempo on an exceptional victory in the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby,” said Bill Carstanjen, CEO of CDI.
“This year’s Kentucky Derby Week was a remarkable celebration of racing.”
