Kentucky Derby Betting Guide
The Kentucky Derby – often referred to as the most exciting two minutes in sport or as the “Run for the Roses” – is the second oldest horse race in America. The first Kentucky Derby was run in 1875. Since then, it has been an annual tradition at the Churchill Downs course in Louisville, Kentucky.
The Kentucky Derby is a Grade 1, mile-and-a-quarter stakes race for thoroughbred three-year-olds. The race is open to colts, geldings, and fillies. Colts and geldings carry a weight of 126 pounds, and fillies carry 121 pounds.
Each year, the Kentucky Derby attracts the best horses, jockeys, and trainers – as well as some of the most spectacular hats! By tradition, women wear lavish, colourful hats to the event, spectators drink mint juleps, and “My Old Kentucky Home” is sung just before the race starts. The race marks the first leg in the US Triple Crown for thoroughbreds, and is the finale of a two-week-long Kentucky Derby Festival in Louisville.
Traditionally, the Kentucky Oaks stakes – often considered the “Derby for Fillies” – is raced the day before the Kentucky Derby.
Legendary Kentucky Derby winners include the likes of Secretariat, War Admiral, Seattle Slew and Smarty Jones. Street Sense, with jockey Calvin Borel, won the 2007 Kentucky Derby. For details of recent winners, visit our Kentucky Derby winners page.
The Kentucky Derby 2008 ended with cheers and tears as the event saw Big Brown coming in 1st place, but sadly saw the end of Eight Belles who had to be put down on the track after breaking her two front ankles in an attempt to be the fourth filly to win the Kentucky Derby.
Kentucky Derby 2009 Preview
The 2009 Kentucky Derby marks the 135th running of the race. It’s due to be held on Saturday, 2 May at 6:04pm (EST). If you’re hoping to be there in person and don’t yet have tickets, visit our Kentucky Derby tickets page for information.
The Kentucky Oaks will be raced the day before, on 1 May, at 5:45pm.
Kentucky Derby day will see five other supporting races run, including the seven-furlong, Grade I Distaff for four-year-old fillies and mares. On both Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks days, gates at the Churchill Downs will open at 8:00am and the first posted races will be run at 11:00am.
The prize fund for the 2008 Kentucky Derby was a staggering US$2 million, of which $1,240,000 went to the winner.
The Kentucky Derby 2009 race will be broadcast on NBC, with pre-race and post-race coverage on ESPN and ESPN2, and on local Louisville stations.
Kentucky Derby Betting
Each year, the Kentucky Derby attracts substantial betting turnover as fans wager on their favourite horses – and on a possible Triple Crown winner. For tips on what to look out for when you place your Kentucky Derby bets, see our Kentucky Derby betting guidelines.
On the day of Kentucky Derby 2009, you can place your bets at pari-mutuel betting outlets at the track. Alternatively, miss the crowds and get your bets in early online.