- Meanwhile, if you have an Advance Deposit Wagering (ADW) account you can bet on the Kentucky Derby and almost any other U.S. Thoroughbred race without going to a track. Scheduled post for the Kentucky Oaks (Grade 1) at 1 1/8 miles for fillies is 5:45 p.m. Eastern on Friday. Scheduled post for the Kentucky.
- Wagering Betting 101 Learn how to bet. Betting on horse racing is just as historic as the sport of horse racing itself. From ancient civilizations across the world to the betting windows at Churchill Downs, the desire to bet.
- Use the promo code ABR25. Other trusted wagering sites include TVG and TwinSpires (the Official Betting Site of the Kentucky Derby), and you can find a complete listing of ADWs here. Derby Betting Tools and Hacks. If this is your very first experience with horse betting, we'd encourage you to check out our Betting on Horse Racing, Explained. There you'll find quick and easy explanations on all the different bets that you can make on the Kentucky Derby.
Be the perfect host by offering your guests a $10 Free Bet on TwinSpires, the Official Betting Site of the Kentucky Derby. Every time one of your guests signs up with your invitation code and places their first bet, you will receive a $10 FREE Bet and so will your guest! A Fun Group Bet for the Derby. Here's how you can effectively place your bet online. You can sign up to KentuckyDerby.com or at any betting websites affiliated to Kentucky Derby. Signing up to these.
The thing that makes the Kentucky Derby great is that you never know exactly how the race is going to unfold over 1 1/4-miles at Churchill Downs, with 18 horses expected to be loaded into the starting game on Saturday.
© Seth Wenig, AP Tiz the Law (8), with jockey Manny Franco up, crosses the finish line to win the 152nd running of the Belmont Stakes horse race in Elmont, N.Y.But what are the odds that the top three choices in the morning line odds would end up drawing the three outside post positions.
That means favored Tiz the Law (saddle No. 17), second choice Honor A.P (16) and speedster Authentic (18) could have their fate determined over the first two furlongs, as field barrells towards the first turn.
The Kentucky Derby will be broadcast live on NBC from 2:30-7:30 p.m., with post time set for 6:50 p.m.
Related: Kentucky Derby post positions, morning line, info
Here are the selections from our expert panel:
2020 Kentucky Derby Field
Horse (Jockey) morning line
1. Finnick the Fierce (Garcia) 50-1
2. Max Player (Santana) 30-1
3. Enforceable (Beschizza) 30-1
4. Storm the Court (Leparoux) 50-1
5. Major Fed (Graham) 50-1
6. King Guillermo (Camacho) scratched
7. Money Moves (Castellano) 30-1
8. South Bend (Gaffalione) 50-1
9. Mr. Big News (G.Saez) 50-1
10. Thousand Words (Geroux) 15-1
11. Necker Island (Mena) 50-1
12. Sole Volante (Panici) 30-1
13. Attachment Rate (Talamo) 50-1
14. Winning Impression (Rocco Jr.) 50-1
15. Ny Traffic (Lopez) 20-1
16. Honor A.P. (Smith) 5-1
17. Tiz the Law (Franco) 3/5
18. Authentic (Velazquez) 8-1
Sean Nolan (15-time National Horseplayers Championship qualifier, 2001 runnerup, four Top 20 finishes)
1. Tiz the Law: No value here as the odds-on favorite but there is no legitimate reason to pick against him. He drew the 17 post (now post 16 with scratch of King Guillermo), which will give Manny Franco the option to pick what flight he wants to be in when they hit the first turn. The classy colt should be able to relax outside the speed and expect him to open up as the field turns for home. On to the Preakness and Breeder's Cup Classic!
2. Thousand Words: Really coming into his own now and his loping stride should help him negotiate the 1¼ miles without much problem. Baffert knows how to prepare them for the big races. Expect Geroux will put him in the race right off the bat. Offers some value with a Tiz the Law exacta.
3. Ny Traffic: Has the knack to get involved early and hang around. He has a series of 5 furlong works that says he is still on edge and he likes the Churchill Downs oval. A logical exotics play.
4. Necker Island is my choice of several plodders to pick up the pieces. Taking the blinkers off should help him relax and get the extra 1/8 of a mile.
Bob Jordan, USA TODAY NETWORK Atlantic Group Sports Deputy Director
1. Authentic: Won the Haskell at Monmouth Park but it didn't feel like a win. He was up by 2 1/2 lengths passing the furlong pole but jockey Mike Smith had to frantically urge Authentic after letting him breeze to deep stretch. Smith, who said Authentic 'sees things' and was distracted by shadows, has landed on another mount here but that's due to a prior agreement so shouldn't be seen as a lack of endorsement. All said, this is a pretty good horse with a ridiculous post draw who's going to be in the range of 15-1 odds. He had his final workout Sunday - covering six furlongs in 1:12.40 at Del Mar - and trainer Bob Baffert said, 'Authentic is really doing well. I see him turning the corner.'
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2. Max Player: This is the horse that was taken away from trainer Linda Rice and turned over to Steve Asmussen, despite running third in both the Belmont Stakes and Travers, and despite Asmussen having an 0 for 20 record in the Run for the Roses. To be truthful Max Player at no point in either the Belmont or Travers looked like a winner but he just keeps plugging away, a trait that is good to have in the Derby.
3. Tiz the Law: America's horse will be one of the heaviest Derby favorites in years but has rarely faced adversity, the exception being on this racetrack when he finished out his 2019 season in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes. That didn't go well. On sloppy footing, Tiz the Law failed to accelerate after being trapped briefly in a pocket position. Reasonable to take a stand against the Belmont Stakes winner in the return visit to Churchill.
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Steve Edelson, USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey sports columnist/racing writer
1. Tiz the Law: The late defection of Art Collector, expected to be the second choice, is big for Tiz the Law. Art Collector was a legitimate threat here. With 103 and 102 Beyer Speed Figures over the last two wins, Art Collector could have been there at the wire if Tiz the Law had a troubled trip. Now Tiz the Law, with a dazzling 109 Beyer in the Travers, has one less top contender to deal with. The formula has been the same all year: Sit just off the speed and then take over with a powerful late run. He'll have to break well, however, from the wide post if he wants to be the first ever to win from that post position.
2. Authentic: Look for the plan to be the same with John Velazquez in the saddle as it was when Mike Smith rode in the Haskell. If Authentic can get to the front, and they will be forced to go by the far outside post position, they'll try to go wire-to-wire. That worked at nine furlongs, but likely won't at 10 furlongs. Authentic will dig in gamely, but won't be able to hold off Tiz the Law.
3. Max Player: So who gets up for third to complete the trifecta? In the Belmont Stakes and the Travers Stakes it was Max Player, who will once again be charging from the back of the field. Gives a great effort every time, never worse than third in five career starts. Goes from Linda Rice's barn to Steve Asmussen's for the Derby.
Steven Falk, Asbury Park Press Sports Writer.
1. Honor A.P.: A horse who should love the 1 1/4 mile distance. He has been working very well at Del Mar with Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith aboard for his last three works. He was very impressive in pulling away from Authentic in the Santa Anita Derby on June 6 and earned a 102 Beyer Speed Figure. He was defeated at 1-5 in the Shared Belief at Del Mar on Aug. 1, but that had all the makings of a horse who was not fully cranked and was prepping for this. Yet, he still earned a 102 Beyer Speed Figure even though he clearly only ran in spots. It was a means to an end.
2. Tiz The Law: If he runs anything close to the 109 Beyer Speed Figure he put up in demolishing the field in the Travers Stakes at Saratoga on Aug. 8, the rest of this field is running for second. That Beyer Speed Figure would make him tough in the Breeders' Cup Classic. He is 3-5 on the morning line because he has clearly shown he is the best horse among this group. However, the best horse does not always win, and if he drops a few points on the Beyer, maybe he is vulnerable. Nobody should leave him off any exacta, trifecta, superfecta or multi-race tickets.
3. Max Player:I hope we get something close to 30-1 on the morning line so the trifecta can be spiced up a little bit. But, I doubt, we will get that price. Even 20-1 will be nice. This grinder is the type of horse who hits the board in the Derby a lot at a decent number. His Beyer Speed Figures have gone up every time. Another forward move gets him on the board.
Greg Giombarrese, Lakewood BlueClaws Director of Communications
1. Honor A.P.: If someone is to upset Tiz the Law, they are going to have to move forward on Saturday and Honor AP can do that as he stretches out to 10 furlongs for the first time. He will relish the added distance of this race, stretching out from a 8.5 furlong prep at Del Mar which was purely a tune-up and in which he was against the race flow. He ran very well, matching his best speed figure earned in the Santa Anita Derby two-back in which he punched his ticket to this spot. He's sitting on a career-best race, and if Tiz the Law doesn't replicate his dominant Travers, Honor AP can beat him at a fair price.
2. Tiz the Law: He will be a heavy favorite, and deserves to be, after a romp in the Travers in which he earned a field-best 109 Beyer Speed Figure. He fires every time, has a dominant win at the distance, and comes from a barn that won this race with a fellow NY-bred, Funny Cide, 17 years ago. He'll also be one of the shortest priced Derby favorites in history and while he is the horse to beat, Honor AP can beat him, though we're not sure anyone else in here can.
3. Enforceable: He's been caught in a series of races where the race flows made it tough to make up ground. The top two in his last race are better than anyone in here outside of the top two, and he stretches out to 10 furlongs, which should help him. He can hit the board at a big price.
Ken Jordan (five times among top finishers at NTRA/National Horseplayers Championship, four Top 10s at Horseplayers World Series)
Can You Place A Bet On The Kentucky Derby Online
1.Tiz the Law: The most-accomplished runner in here and a well-deserved favorite (though unbettable in the win pool at 3/5). His Travers gave the impression that there is still more to give. All of the racing world hoping he is the last Derby starter to come into the race off a win at 1 1/4 miles.
2. Authentic: It seems everyone is convinced that his Haskell stretch jog will prevent him from winning Derby. Respect his speed and connections.
3. Attachment Rate: Longshot has flashed talent that has been effectively hidden by overconfident rides, traffic, and wide trips. A must use in all exotic slots.
4. NY Traffic: Knocking at the door against some tough ones while improving speed figures equals a great chance to hit the board.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Kentucky Derby 2020: Betting guide and predictions; Can Tiz the Law win from wide post?
Sometimes it is easy to forget that not everyone has experience wagering on horses. I know from first-hand experience that it can be a little bit intimidating if it is your first time. Since the Kentucky Derby is the most popular horse race in the world, there are millions of people that will bet on this race, and possibly no other the rest of the year.
I have broken down the different types of bets that can be placed, which is what I'm sure most of you are interested in. Note that these types of wagers can be used for betting on just about any type of horse race, including the Kentucky Derby.
Most Common Types of Wagers: Win, Place & Show
Win – If you bet a horse to win and your horse finishes first, your bet is a winner. It's as easy as that!
Place – With this bet your horse needs to finish first or second for you to have a winning ticket. Keep in mind that the payout may be lower because it is split two ways.
Show – A 'Show' bet means you'll bet your horse to finish either first, second, or third. You'll win if it finishes in any of the three places, but of course the payout is lower because you have more chances to win.
Exotic Bets: Quiniella, Exacta, Trifecta, Superfecta, Boxes & More
Quiniella – To make this bet you have to pick the two horses you think will finish first and second in either order. This is where things get a little harder as you are forced to find two horses instead of one.
Exacta – This bet is pretty much the same idea as the Quiniela, but you are required to pick the two horses that will finish 1st and 2nd in the exact order. It pays much better than a Quiniela because of this.
16. Honor A.P. (Smith) 5-1
17. Tiz the Law (Franco) 3/5
18. Authentic (Velazquez) 8-1
Sean Nolan (15-time National Horseplayers Championship qualifier, 2001 runnerup, four Top 20 finishes)
1. Tiz the Law: No value here as the odds-on favorite but there is no legitimate reason to pick against him. He drew the 17 post (now post 16 with scratch of King Guillermo), which will give Manny Franco the option to pick what flight he wants to be in when they hit the first turn. The classy colt should be able to relax outside the speed and expect him to open up as the field turns for home. On to the Preakness and Breeder's Cup Classic!
2. Thousand Words: Really coming into his own now and his loping stride should help him negotiate the 1¼ miles without much problem. Baffert knows how to prepare them for the big races. Expect Geroux will put him in the race right off the bat. Offers some value with a Tiz the Law exacta.
3. Ny Traffic: Has the knack to get involved early and hang around. He has a series of 5 furlong works that says he is still on edge and he likes the Churchill Downs oval. A logical exotics play.
4. Necker Island is my choice of several plodders to pick up the pieces. Taking the blinkers off should help him relax and get the extra 1/8 of a mile.
Bob Jordan, USA TODAY NETWORK Atlantic Group Sports Deputy Director
1. Authentic: Won the Haskell at Monmouth Park but it didn't feel like a win. He was up by 2 1/2 lengths passing the furlong pole but jockey Mike Smith had to frantically urge Authentic after letting him breeze to deep stretch. Smith, who said Authentic 'sees things' and was distracted by shadows, has landed on another mount here but that's due to a prior agreement so shouldn't be seen as a lack of endorsement. All said, this is a pretty good horse with a ridiculous post draw who's going to be in the range of 15-1 odds. He had his final workout Sunday - covering six furlongs in 1:12.40 at Del Mar - and trainer Bob Baffert said, 'Authentic is really doing well. I see him turning the corner.'
Want access to all our sports coverage? Consider purchasing a digital subscription to APP.com and downloading our mobile app today.
2. Max Player: This is the horse that was taken away from trainer Linda Rice and turned over to Steve Asmussen, despite running third in both the Belmont Stakes and Travers, and despite Asmussen having an 0 for 20 record in the Run for the Roses. To be truthful Max Player at no point in either the Belmont or Travers looked like a winner but he just keeps plugging away, a trait that is good to have in the Derby.
3. Tiz the Law: America's horse will be one of the heaviest Derby favorites in years but has rarely faced adversity, the exception being on this racetrack when he finished out his 2019 season in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes. That didn't go well. On sloppy footing, Tiz the Law failed to accelerate after being trapped briefly in a pocket position. Reasonable to take a stand against the Belmont Stakes winner in the return visit to Churchill.
The trusted place to find the best home service providers. Find local pros.
Steve Edelson, USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey sports columnist/racing writer
1. Tiz the Law: The late defection of Art Collector, expected to be the second choice, is big for Tiz the Law. Art Collector was a legitimate threat here. With 103 and 102 Beyer Speed Figures over the last two wins, Art Collector could have been there at the wire if Tiz the Law had a troubled trip. Now Tiz the Law, with a dazzling 109 Beyer in the Travers, has one less top contender to deal with. The formula has been the same all year: Sit just off the speed and then take over with a powerful late run. He'll have to break well, however, from the wide post if he wants to be the first ever to win from that post position.
2. Authentic: Look for the plan to be the same with John Velazquez in the saddle as it was when Mike Smith rode in the Haskell. If Authentic can get to the front, and they will be forced to go by the far outside post position, they'll try to go wire-to-wire. That worked at nine furlongs, but likely won't at 10 furlongs. Authentic will dig in gamely, but won't be able to hold off Tiz the Law.
3. Max Player: So who gets up for third to complete the trifecta? In the Belmont Stakes and the Travers Stakes it was Max Player, who will once again be charging from the back of the field. Gives a great effort every time, never worse than third in five career starts. Goes from Linda Rice's barn to Steve Asmussen's for the Derby.
Steven Falk, Asbury Park Press Sports Writer.
1. Honor A.P.: A horse who should love the 1 1/4 mile distance. He has been working very well at Del Mar with Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith aboard for his last three works. He was very impressive in pulling away from Authentic in the Santa Anita Derby on June 6 and earned a 102 Beyer Speed Figure. He was defeated at 1-5 in the Shared Belief at Del Mar on Aug. 1, but that had all the makings of a horse who was not fully cranked and was prepping for this. Yet, he still earned a 102 Beyer Speed Figure even though he clearly only ran in spots. It was a means to an end.
2. Tiz The Law: If he runs anything close to the 109 Beyer Speed Figure he put up in demolishing the field in the Travers Stakes at Saratoga on Aug. 8, the rest of this field is running for second. That Beyer Speed Figure would make him tough in the Breeders' Cup Classic. He is 3-5 on the morning line because he has clearly shown he is the best horse among this group. However, the best horse does not always win, and if he drops a few points on the Beyer, maybe he is vulnerable. Nobody should leave him off any exacta, trifecta, superfecta or multi-race tickets.
3. Max Player:I hope we get something close to 30-1 on the morning line so the trifecta can be spiced up a little bit. But, I doubt, we will get that price. Even 20-1 will be nice. This grinder is the type of horse who hits the board in the Derby a lot at a decent number. His Beyer Speed Figures have gone up every time. Another forward move gets him on the board.
Greg Giombarrese, Lakewood BlueClaws Director of Communications
1. Honor A.P.: If someone is to upset Tiz the Law, they are going to have to move forward on Saturday and Honor AP can do that as he stretches out to 10 furlongs for the first time. He will relish the added distance of this race, stretching out from a 8.5 furlong prep at Del Mar which was purely a tune-up and in which he was against the race flow. He ran very well, matching his best speed figure earned in the Santa Anita Derby two-back in which he punched his ticket to this spot. He's sitting on a career-best race, and if Tiz the Law doesn't replicate his dominant Travers, Honor AP can beat him at a fair price.
2. Tiz the Law: He will be a heavy favorite, and deserves to be, after a romp in the Travers in which he earned a field-best 109 Beyer Speed Figure. He fires every time, has a dominant win at the distance, and comes from a barn that won this race with a fellow NY-bred, Funny Cide, 17 years ago. He'll also be one of the shortest priced Derby favorites in history and while he is the horse to beat, Honor AP can beat him, though we're not sure anyone else in here can.
3. Enforceable: He's been caught in a series of races where the race flows made it tough to make up ground. The top two in his last race are better than anyone in here outside of the top two, and he stretches out to 10 furlongs, which should help him. He can hit the board at a big price.
Ken Jordan (five times among top finishers at NTRA/National Horseplayers Championship, four Top 10s at Horseplayers World Series)
Can You Place A Bet On The Kentucky Derby Online
1.Tiz the Law: The most-accomplished runner in here and a well-deserved favorite (though unbettable in the win pool at 3/5). His Travers gave the impression that there is still more to give. All of the racing world hoping he is the last Derby starter to come into the race off a win at 1 1/4 miles.
2. Authentic: It seems everyone is convinced that his Haskell stretch jog will prevent him from winning Derby. Respect his speed and connections.
3. Attachment Rate: Longshot has flashed talent that has been effectively hidden by overconfident rides, traffic, and wide trips. A must use in all exotic slots.
4. NY Traffic: Knocking at the door against some tough ones while improving speed figures equals a great chance to hit the board.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Kentucky Derby 2020: Betting guide and predictions; Can Tiz the Law win from wide post?
Sometimes it is easy to forget that not everyone has experience wagering on horses. I know from first-hand experience that it can be a little bit intimidating if it is your first time. Since the Kentucky Derby is the most popular horse race in the world, there are millions of people that will bet on this race, and possibly no other the rest of the year.
I have broken down the different types of bets that can be placed, which is what I'm sure most of you are interested in. Note that these types of wagers can be used for betting on just about any type of horse race, including the Kentucky Derby.
Most Common Types of Wagers: Win, Place & Show
Win – If you bet a horse to win and your horse finishes first, your bet is a winner. It's as easy as that!
Place – With this bet your horse needs to finish first or second for you to have a winning ticket. Keep in mind that the payout may be lower because it is split two ways.
Show – A 'Show' bet means you'll bet your horse to finish either first, second, or third. You'll win if it finishes in any of the three places, but of course the payout is lower because you have more chances to win.
Exotic Bets: Quiniella, Exacta, Trifecta, Superfecta, Boxes & More
Quiniella – To make this bet you have to pick the two horses you think will finish first and second in either order. This is where things get a little harder as you are forced to find two horses instead of one.
Exacta – This bet is pretty much the same idea as the Quiniela, but you are required to pick the two horses that will finish 1st and 2nd in the exact order. It pays much better than a Quiniela because of this.
Exacta Box – You get to pick two or more horses with this bet and they have to finish in the top two in any order for a winning wager. However, it costs double the amount of a regular exacta to box two horses.
Trifecta – Trifecta is like the Exacta but tougher to win. You are required to pick the exact 1-2-3 finish of the race.
Trifecta Box – This is a little easier than the normal Trifecta, as you pick three horses to finish in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in any order. This is a popular bet for your big-time horse bettors, but we advise any newcomers to stay away from this unless you have good knowledge of the horse race.
Superfecta – To win this bet you really need to have some luck. You must pick the exact order of the first four horses to cross the finish line. Its hard enough to pick one or two horses to finish in order; picking 4 is nearly impossible. That's why the payouts are massive on these.
Pick 3 – This requires you to step up your game and pick the winner of three consecutive races.
Pick 6 – Like the Pick 3, but you have to do the difficult task of picking six straight winners.
Daily Double – This is pretty similar to the last two, but it only requires you to pick the winners of the first two races of the day.
Boxing Your Bet – This is where a lot of people get lost, but it's actually much easier to understand than you might think. If you box your exacta, trifecta, or superfecta, you don't have to get the order of the horses correct, you just have to pick the right horses.
For example, an Exacta Box on the #2 and #5 horses would mean that those horses just need to come in first and second in any order. Just keep in mind that these wagers cost much more than your straight bets because you are increasing your chances of winning.
When & Where to Make a Bet on the Race
You can place your bets at a live racetrack near you, or at an online sportsbook. The thing about horse betting is that the odds change up until the race, so your payout won't be based on the odds you get in right now, but on the final odds once the race goes off.
That's why you shouldn't place your bets too early. It can only hurt you. You may feel like you are getting value on a horse at huge odds early, only to have those odds plummet on race day. If this happens, then your value is likely gone.
How to Place a Bet on the Kentucky Derby
How To Place A Bet On The Kentucky Derby
If you're at the track and you don't know how to place a bet, then here's a little tip for you. Go up to the pay window and give the amount you want to bet, the number of your horse, and then the name of the bet.
For example, if you wanted the #1 horse to win for $10, you would say this; 'Give me $10 on 1 to win'. If you want to bet a $10 exacta box on 1 & 7, meaning the 1 & 7 have to come in first and second in any order, then you would say this; 'Give me a $10 exacta box on 1 & 7'.
If you are fortunate enough to have a winning ticket, then just return it to the betting window and collect your winnings.
2019 Kentucky Derby Odds
Horse | Odds |
---|---|
Game Winner | 4/1 |
Improbable | 5/1 |
Roadster | 6/1 |
Maximum Security | 6/1 |
Tacitus | 12/1 |
Code Of Honor | 12/1 |
War Of Will | 12/1 |
Win Win Win | 12/1 |
By My Standards | 15/1 |
Haikal | 15/1 |
Cutting Humor | 20/1 |
Vekoma | 20/1 |
Country House | 30/1 |
Long Range Toddy | 30/1 |
Plus Que Parfait | 30/1 |
Spinoff | 30/1 |
Tax | 30/1 |
Bodexpress | 50/1 |
Gray Magician | 50/1 |
Master Fencer | 50/1 |
This list of odds is as of May 2nd, 2019, which is just two days from the Kentucky Derby on May 4th. These odds are sure to change as more action comes in. But as of right now, Game Winner is the favorite at 4/1.
A $2.00 bet on Justify to win would profit you roughly $4.00. A $2.00 bet on second-favorite Improbable (5/1) to win would profit you roughly $10.00, and so on and so forth.
There you have it. Hopefully for any newcomers out there this helps them to better understand how to bet on this year's Kentucky Derby, or to at least learn some of the lingo so you know what people are talking about! Thanks for reading and good luck!