Bet the Kentucky Derby Now

Don’t wait, you can bet the Kentucky Derby now!

– Horse bettors do not have to wait until the day of the Kentucky Derby in order to place bets on the race.

– Triple Crown of Horse Racing bettors can bet Kentucky Derby futures, getting fixed odds, just like betting futures in other sports.

It is the most famous horse race in all of the U.S. The Kentucky Derby has been run every single year since 1875. It was rescheduled in 2020 due to the coronavirus, but is the only major sporting event that ran through the Great Depression and both World Wars.

The 148th running of the Kentucky Derby will take place on May 7, 2022. The race will once again take place at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. 

While the race is still over a month away, bettors can actually lock in bets right now. Bettors have the opportunity to lock in bets in the Kentucky Derby Future Wager pools.

Kentucky Derby bettors have numerous opportunities to wager on horses they think will take part in the race on May 7. There have been several pools already and in each pool bettors can choose from 24 selections. 

There are 22 individual horses from which to choose as well as one selection from “All Other Three-Year-Old Fillies” and “All Other Three-Year-Old Males.” 

These two Field Wagers are typically the ones that generate the most interest. Bettors can get odds on horses that are not among the 22 already recognized.

These futures wagers typically offer more favorable odds and bigger payouts than on race day because many of the horses have yet to qualify to run in the Kentucky Derby.

Do you need some help? Here’s horse racing betting tips, strategies & major 2022 dates.

Bettors can place Kentucky Derby futures bets right now. There are fixed odds available similar to betting futures in any other sport.

Corniche (6-1) was an early favorite but did not receive any qualification points for the Road to the Kentucky Derby. That’s because the horse’s trainer, Bob Baffert, is suspended by Churchill Downs until 2023.

The betting favorite right now is Smile Happy at 6-1. Trained by Kenneth McPeek, Smile Happy has two firsts and a second place finish thus far this season. 

Smile Happy was beaten by Epicenter, another favorite to win the Kentucky Derby at 8-1. Epicenter has won four of its last five starts including a win over Smile Happy in the Risen Star Stakes back on Feb. 19.

The other horse among the early favorites is Forbidden Kingdom, who is given 7-1 odds to win this year’s Run for the Roses. Trained by Richard Mandella, Forbidden Kingdom has won its last two races, the San Felipe and San Vicente Stakes. 

For those that haven’t locked in futures wagers on the derby. The final field of entries will be complete by Monday or Tuesday of Derby week. 

Wagers on the race will be available at racetracks, off-track betting facilities, online wagering platforms, and more almost immediately after the field is final.

Advance betting will begin about 24 hours before race time on Friday, May 6.