Kentucky Derby Wagering

Learn how to bet the Kentucky Derby, get live odds, expert picks, exclusive analysis and betting tips. Bet online at www.twinspires.com, the official wagering site of the Kentucky Derby.

 

Jump to: | Kentucky Derby Betting Challenge | Expert Betting Picks | Kentucky Derby Future Wager | Learn How to Bet |

 

TwinSpires offersSign-up with TwinSpires and start your journey to earning a $200 Sign-Up bonus by opting-in here. If you are already a member of the official betting partner of the Kentucky Derby, then check out our full page of promotions and offers available exclusively at TwinSpires.com!

The Kentucky Derby holds a bit of everything when approaching the question of betting picks. Whether a casual fan, tuning in from home, a sports bettor, or a racing aficionado; we have an educational library to assist your learning in where start. Understand what the lingo means, and how to advance in your betting picks for all races on the card! Make TwinSpires Training to Win educational page your first stop for rookie, casual and expert horse players.

Bet the Kentucky Derby safely and securely with TwinSpires, the official Kentucky Derby betting partner!


Kentucky Derby Betting Challenge
The official betting tournament of the Kentucky Derby

Register for Feeders, Qualifiers and the Kentucky Derby Betting Challenge Tournaments at TwinSpires!

$250,000 Kentucky Derby Betting Challenge Live Bankroll Cash Tournament on May 3, 2025
• $5,000 Total Buy-In; $3,500 to Bankroll, $1,500 to Prize Pool
• Maximum of two (2) entries per person.
• Players must wager all $3,500 of their bankroll across all specified races at Churchill Downs.
• The following wager types will count as contest wagers: Win, Place, Show, Exacta, Trifecta, Daily Double.
• 100% of Prize Pool is paid out as Prizes.
Entries will be accepted until 11:00AM ET, post time of the first race at Churchill Downs
on Saturday, May 3, 2025.

The Kentucky Derby Betting Challenge (KDBC) is returning to TwinSpires.com and offering a guaranteed prize pool of a quarter-million dollars. View the full KDBC Qualifier calendar here.


EXPERT PICKS

Discover who the experts think you should bet in the Kentucky Derby.

MEET THE EXPERTS

Kevin Kilroy
Kevin Kilroy is a racing and handicapping analyst covering the racing at Churchill Downs, Colonial Downs, Ellis Park, Fair Grounds and Turfway Park.
Kaitlin Free
Kaitlin Free is currently a reporter and analyst for Churchill Downs.
James Scully
James Scully writes and handicaps for Brisnet.com, TwinSpires.com and KentuckyDerby.com. Find more coverage of the Kentucky Derby by James Scully here: https://www.twinspires.com/edge/authors/jscully/
Joe Kristufek
Joe Kristufek is the Senior Producer & Racing Analyst for Churchill Downs, Fair Grounds and Ellis Park.
Vance Hanson
Vance Hanson is a contributing writer and editor for Brisnet.com, TwinSpires.com and KentuckyDerby.com. Find more Kentucky Derby handicapping by Vance Hanson here: https://www.twinspires.com/edge/authors/vance.hanson/
Kellie Reilly
Kellie Reilly is a staff writer in the Editorial Department at Brisnet.com and is a regular contributor to the TwinSpires.com blog and KentuckyDerby.com. Find more coverage of the Kentucky Derby by Kellie Reilly here: https://www.twinspires.com/edge/authors/kellie-reilly/
Tony Calo
Churchill Downs Racing Analyst as well as Turfway Park and Ellis Park Announcer.

LEARN HOW TO BET

Explore the many methods to picking a winner in horse racing and grow confidence in your Kentucky Derby betting pick!

Beginner

Where to begin?

Placing a bet on the Kentucky Derby is a fun way to have a rooting interest in the race outcome, even if you don’t know much about the sport of horse racing.

Intermediate

How to improve your betting?

Step foot into exotic betting with exactas, trifectas and superfectas! Do you know the impact of training workouts, final race times, or the best way to bet your Kentucky Derby horse on a budget of $2, $10, $25, or $100!? Maybe you know a thing or two about betting on horse races, but expert horseplayers take multiple factors into consideration before making their selections and choosing their bets.

Advanced

Want to take your handicapping to the next level?

Have you attempted a vertical sequence such as a Daily Double, Pick 3, Pick 4, Pick 5 or a Pick 6 before? Maybe you regularly watch and analyze horse racing and can understand a racing program with past performances, but can you spot a class improvement or class drop, or use speed and class ratings which could impact a race performance and the race competition?

Expert

Discover an additional edge. 

When it comes to handicapping horse races, knowing how to bet is every bit as important as knowing who to bet. Expert horseplayers spend a large portion of their time constructing sound, logical wagers designed to give them the best chance at generating profits. Bankroll management, sound ticket construction and data inclusion into your opinions are paramount for optimal success in wagering.

Bet the Derby at Home

Join millions in watching the Kentucky Derby together! TwinSpires is our suggestion for real money and free-to-play fantasy options to get an added taste of action with horse racing. TwinSpires has offers and promotions leading up to, and during Derby week. And their website or iOS app have a cool BetShare feature to help facilitate group bets, which could allow friends and family to join you while watching in another city during your watch party!

Betting on a Budget

Budgets can be scary, but here is how to calculate costs to empower you with confidence in your Kentucky Derby picks. Know your limits and grow that bankroll. When entering a bet on a horse race, know what horses you like and how you think these horses may perform. This will help determine your tolerance for risk and how to bet your horse. What happens should you lose money, or hopefully win money? Don’t spend all your money in one ‘place!’

The Show Parlay Group Bet

Parlay Party! Keeping it simple makes watching the Kentucky Derby fun for the entire group and that’s why we always first recommend the Show Parlay. Nobody in the group needs to be an expert to participate. The fun pressure of keeping the Show Parlay going makes for an exciting way to be involved in the action. TwinSpires has a BetShare feature to help facilitate group bets, which could allow friends to include those in another city during a watch party!

Kentucky Derby Future Wager

Kentucky Derby and Oaks Future Wagers allow racing fans to bet on potential contenders in the Derby and Oaks before the races’ final entrants are determined. The odds are locked in for the Kentucky Derby following the open betting period and traditionally pay better than final odds for the race.

KENTUCKY DERBY & OAKS FUTURE WAGER POOLS
Pool 1:
October. 30, 12:00 pm - November. 1, 6:00 pm
Pool 1 (CLOSED)
Pool 2:
November. 28, 12:00 pm - December. 1, 6:00 pm
Pool 2 (includes Sire Future Wager) (CLOSED)
Pool 3:
January. 17, 12:00 pm - January. 19, 6:00 pm
Pool 3 (COMING SOON)
Pool 4:
February. 14, 12:00 pm - February. 16, 6:00 pm
Pool 4 (COMING SOON)
Pool 5:
March. 14, 12:00 pm - March. 16, 6:00 pm
Pool 5 (includes Oaks Future Wager) (COMING SOON)
Pool 6:
April. 3, 12:00 pm - April. 5, 4:00 pm
Pool 6 (COMING SOON)
WAGER NEWS
LATEST NEWS Dec 17, 2024
Expert Pick of the Week: 2024 Gun Runner Stakes

A compact field of five sophomores will go 1 1/16 miles over the Fair Grounds dirt in Saturday’s $125,000 Gun Runner S.

 

Kentucky Derby Betting Challenge Qualifier Calendar

All KDBC Qualifiers will have related feeder tournaments; check TwinSpires.com/bet/tournaments for more information. The first official Feeder Tournament will be held on October 12, 2024. *Denotes subject to change

 Date Tournament Type Racetrack Seat Implications Min. # of Races  Minimum $ per Race Wager Types
Sunday, Oct. 27 KDBC-BCBC Qualifier Churchill One (1) KDBC Seat and One (1) BCBC Seat Guaranteed 5 $70.00 Win, Place, Show, Daily Double, Exacta, Trifecta
Saturday, Nov. 9 KDBC Qualifier Churchill One (1) KDBC Seat for every 33 Participating Players 5 $25.00 Win, Place, Show, Daily Double, Exacta, Trifecta
Saturday, Nov. 23 KDBC-NHC Qualifier Churchill One (1) KDBC Seat and One (1) NHC Seat Guaranteed 5 $70.00 Win, Place, Show, Daily Double, Exacta, Trifecta
Saturday, Nov. 30 KDBC Qualifier Churchill One (1) KDBC Seat for every 25 Participating Players 5 $20.00 Win, Place, Show, Daily Double, Exacta, Trifecta
Saturday, Dec. 7 KDBC Qualifier Oaklawn One (1) KDBC Seat for every 33 Participating Players 5 $25.00 Win, Place, Show, Daily Double, Exacta, Trifecta
Saturday, Dec. 14 Turfway Winter Handicapping Championship Turfway One (1) KDBC Seat for every 10 Players + $10k Cash Prize Pool 6 $125.00 Win, Place. Show, Daily Double, Exacta, Trifecta
Saturday, Dec. 21 KDBC Qualifier Fair Grounds One (1) KDBC Seat for every 25 Participating Players 5 $20.00 Win, Place, Show, Daily Double, Exacta, Trifecta
Saturday, Dec. 28 KDBC-NHC Qualifier Oaklawn/Fair Grounds One (1) KDBC Seat and One (1) NHC Seat Guaranteed 6 $50.00 Win, Place, Show, Daily Double, Exacta, Trifecta
Saturday, Jan. 4 KDBC Qualifier Oaklawn One (1) KDBC Seat for every 25 Participating Players 5 $20.00 Win, Place, Show, Daily Double, Exacta, Trifecta
Saturday, Jan. 18 KDBC Qualifier Fair Grounds One (1) KDBC Seat for every 25 Participating Players 5 $20.00 Win, Place, Show, Daily Double, Exacta, Trifecta
Sunday, Jan 26 KDBC-NHC Qualifier Fair Grounds/Oaklawn One (1) KDBC Seat and One (1) NHC Seat Guaranteed 6 $50.00 Win, Place, Show, Daily Double, Exacta, Trifecta
Saturday, Feb. 1 KDBC Qualifier Oaklawn One (1) KDBC Seat for every 20 Players 5 $25.00 Win, Place, Show, Daily Double, Exacta, Trifecta
Saturday, Feb. 8 KDBC Qualifier Tampa Bay/Oaklawn One (1) KDBC Seat for every 20 Players 7 $20.00 Win, Place, Show, Daily Double, Exacta, Trifecta
Saturday, Feb. 15 KDBC Qualifier Fair Grounds One (1) KDBC Seat for every 20 Players 5 $25.00 Win, Place, Show, Daily Double, Exacta, Trifecta
Saturday, Feb. 22 KDBC Qualifier Oaklawn One (1) KDBC Seat for every 20 Players 5 $25.00 Win, Place, Show, Daily Double, Exacta, Trifecta
Saturday, March 1 KDBC Qualifier Oaklawn One (1) KDBC Seat for every 20 Players 5 $25.00 Win, Place, Show, Daily Double, Exacta, Trifecta
Saturday, March 8 KDBC Qualifier Tampa Bay One (1) KDBC Seat for every 20 Players 5 $25.00 Win, Place, Show, Daily Double, Exacta, Trifecta
Saturday, March 15 KDBC Qualifier Colonial/Oaklawn One (1) KDBC Seat for every 20 Players 7 $20.00 Win, Place, Show, Daily Double, Exacta, Trifecta
Saturday, March 22 KDBC Qualifier Colonial/Oaklawn One (1) KDBC Seat for every 20 Players 7 $20.00 Win, Place, Show, Daily Double, Exacta, Trifecta
Saturday, March 29 KDBC Qualifier Oaklawn One (1) KDBC Seat for every 20 Players 5 $25.00 Win, Place, Show, Daily Double, Exacta, Trifecta
Saturday, April 5 KDBC Qualifier Keeneland One (1) KDBC Seat for every 20 Players 5 $25.00 Win, Place, Show, Daily Double, Exacta, Trifecta
Saturday, April 12 KDBC Qualifier Keeneland One (1) KDBC Seat for every 20 Players 5 $25.00 Win, Place, Show, Daily Double, Exacta, Trifecta
Saturday, April 26 KDBC Qualifier Churchill One (1) KDBC Seat for every 20 Players 5 $25.00 Win, Place, Show, Daily Double, Exacta, Trifecta
Thursday, May 1 KDBC Qualifier Churchill One (1) KDBC Seat for every 13 Players 5 $40.00 Win, Place, Show, Daily Double, Exacta, Trifecta
Friday, May 2 KDBC Last Chance Qualifier Churchill One (1) KDBC Seat for every 10 Players 5 $50.00 Win, Place, Show, Daily Double, Exacta, Trifecta

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