The Kentucky Derby draws crowds from all over the world – both horse enthusiast and those just looking to bask in all that the Derby has to offer. From the fashions, celebrities, derby hats, mint juleps to catching a glimpse of the potential winner as it walks out onto the tack. Young and old, the Kentucky Derby brings them in.

Every year, the Kentucky Derby is held at the historic Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky on the first Saturday of May. It is the first jewel in the US Triple Crown which is a much sought after title. Very few horses have been able to succeed at this and win all three legs of the Triple Crown: The Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes.

So, every year at Kentucky Derby time, the passion and hope of all horse owners, trainers and jockeys reaches an all time high as they reach for the ultimate Championship. Famous Jockey, Calvin Borel, stated in 2010 after taking the Kentucky Derby on May 1st, that he planned to go all the way that year. Unfortunately, Super Saver came up short in the Preakness when he lost to the 2010 Derby favorite Lookin’ at Lucky. Calvin won three out of four consecutive Derby titles so many people think if anyone can do it, he can.

The Kentucky Derby is a Grade One stakes race for three year old thoroughbred horses and is one and a quarter miles in length with a $2million purse. It’s often referred to as the ‘Run for the Roses’ because of the garland of beautiful red roses the winner receives at the finish line.

The first ever Kentucky Derby was run May 17, 1875 with an audience of 10,000 horse fans and 15 Derby Contenders. Under jockey Oliver Lewis, a colt named Aristides, who was trained by, Ansel Williamson, won the inaugural Derby. Later that year, Lewis rode Aristides to a second-place finish in the Belmont Stakes.

Betting on the Kentucky Derby goes back to the early days of the sport. The Kentucky Derby is such a big event that it attracts bettors that don’t necessarily follow horse racing on a regular basis. It draws celebrities, Queens, Presidents and ‘regular’ folks’, all of whom are caught up in the atmosphere and buzz of the ‘greatest two minutes in sports.”

Seeing that there are so many people who attend the event and, add to that, all the people who cannot beat Churchill Downs in person but also want to participate as fully as possible, means that there are numerous betting & viewing options to choose from on Derby Day.

Thankfully, there are many off-track betting parlors that will allow you to both watch the event as well as bet on the Kentucky Derby on that first Saturday in May. You can google ‘Off-Track Betting’ to see how many options there are to choose from. In addition to the OTB down the street from you, there is also the online variety that offers just as many bet types and wagering options as being at Churchill Downs. So whether you want a win, place, show, exacta, trifecta, superfecta, pick 3-4 or box bets, you will be able to find what you are looking for from the comfort of your own home, down the street or in Louisville Kentucky.

The Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands at CHURCHILL DOWNS, in Louisville, KY

* Purse: $2,000,000
* May 6th, 2023
* Class: Grade 1
* TV: NBC
* Age: 3 yos
* Race: 11
* Distance: 1 1/4 miles
* Post Time: 6:24 PM

Kentucky Derby $2,000,000 Purse Structure

Winner $1,240,000 (62%)
Second $400,000 (20%)
Third $200,000 (10%)
Fourth $100,000 (5%)
Fifth $60,000 (3%)