This Saturday, Churchhill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, will be the epicenter of the horse racing world as the Kentucky Derby will run for the 150th time. The race is known as the “Run for the Roses,” a reference to the floral adornment that the winning horse receives.
It is also referred to as “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports,” as that is roughly the time it takes for the winning thoroughbred to reach the finish line.
The Derby receives Super Bowl-like attention due to its history and the potential for a Triple Crown-winning horse. The popularity of the race also prompts gamblers around the country to bet on the Kentucky Derby at a rate that exceeds any other horse race on the calendar.
Where Can I Bet On The Kentucky Derby At 18?
Local gamblers in KY can thank the pre-existence of in-state horserace betting for their local 18-friendly sportsbooks. Because racinos allowed bets on horse races at 18, local lawmakers’ hands were tied when they created legislation for legal sports betting’s minimum age.
Alas, sports betting in Kentucky at 18 years old is now offered through all popular means. This includes domestic sportsbooks that operate on mobile devices, online, or at in-person locations, as well as offshore sports betting sites.
The existence of offshore sportsbooks in the American market significantly expands the number of states where you can bet on sports at 18. 38 states now permit local sports betting, but only 8 of them are 18-friendly.
When you include offshore sportsbook sites, the entire country becomes an 18+ sports betting territory, but you need to check the terms of membership to ensure that they allow gambling in your state.
Who Will Win The Kentucky Derby In 2024?
The odds for betting on the 2024 Kentucky Derby winner are now posted at all major online racebooks. The consensus projected winner is Fierceness. The below moneyline odds are set at +250 for Fierceness to win, but we’ve seen moneylines that vary at other books.
2024 Kentucky Derby Odds To Win
- Fierceness +250
- Sierra Leone +425
- Forever Young +850
- Catching Freedom +900
- Just A Touch +1100
- Honor Marie +1800
- Dornoch +2000
- Encino +2000
- Mystik Dan +2000
- Just Steel +2200
- Stronghold +2200
- Resilience +2500
- Domestic Product +2500
- Track Phantom +3000
- Endlessly +3000
- T O Password +3500
- Catalytic +4000
- West Saratoga +4000
- Society Man +4000
- Grand Mo The First +5000
Since Fierceness is the odds leader, betting lines have been created asking if he’ll win the next two legs of the Triple Crown and become the first winner since Justify in 2018.
Will Fierceness Win The Triple Crown?
- Yes +1600
- No (offline)
16-to-1 payouts can be earned by betting on Fierceness to win the Triple Crown. Another Triple Crown prop is being offered on any horse winning all three legs.
Will There Be A Triple Crown Winner In 2024?
- No -2500
- Yes +900
The Triple Crown odds are slightly better when including the entire Derby field, but not much.
The 2024 Preakness Stakes begins on May 18th at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. The Belmont Stakes, the final leg of the 2024 Triple Crown, will be held on Saturday, June 8th, at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York.
Bovada Racebook (Bovada Review), Courier Journal