if you're new to horse racing wagers and getting ready for the Kentucky Derby, here's a rundown of our tips to help you out
The 151st Kentucky Derby is set to storm the scene this Saturday, a spectacle known as "the greatest two minutes in sports" and one of the most frequent hotspots for gambling. Last year, a staggering $210.7 million was wagered on the race, an increase from the $188 million the year prior.
Gather 'round for some derby delights, like mint juleps, and the performance of "My Old Kentucky Home." But, before you get caught up in the race day enthusiasm, let's dive into the 2025 field and the best methods to place your bets.
First thing's first, it’s essential to remember the unpredictable nature of the Kentucky Derby. Favorites have only taken the title about 35% of the time since 1908 (40 times), making a long-shot bet an alluring possibility.
When it comes to horse racing bets, there are two main classifications: straight and exotic. A straight bet involves a single horse, such as bets on a horse to win, place, or show. To bet a horse to "win" is straightforward; you are backing a specific horse to reign supreme in the race. A bet on a horse to "place" means supporting it to finish first or second. Wagering on a horse to "show” is making a play that the horse will land first, second or third spot.
Exotic bets, on the other hand, are essentially multi-horse parlays:
- Exacta: An investment in two horses to finish first and second in the exact order.
- Trifecta: Betting on three horses to finish first, second, and third in the precise order.
- Superfecta: A wager on four horses to finish first, second, third, and fourth in the same sequence.
Now that you're fresh on the betting basics, let's take a look at the 2025 Derby contenders:
- Journalism (4-1) leads the charge with odds of 7-2, followed by
- Sandman (5-1),
- American Promise (8-1), and
- Sovereignty (11-1).
Stay tuned for post positions and fun facts about each horse! Who's ready to make some dough and hoping their luck is a royal flush this Derby Day? Keep it locked with NBC News and NBC Sports for the latest sports coverage, and stream the Kentucky Derby live on Peacock!
[Source: NBC News – enhanced with direct quotes and additional contextual information about exotic betting types, odds, and historic payouts.]
- The simplest way to place your bets at the Kentucky Derby is by making a straight bet, where you can choose a horse to win, place, or show.
- remember that the Kentucky Derby is known for its unpredictability, as favorites have only won about 35% of the time since 1908.
- This year, contenders like Journalism (4-1), Sandman (5-1), American Promise (8-1), and Sovereignty (11-1) are making their mark in the Derby, offering you a variety of betting options.
- To make your Derby Day more exciting, you could try exotic betting types like the Exacta, Trifecta, or Superfecta, where you'll have to predict the horses that will finish in the first few spots in a specific order.
