POPULAR ARTICLES
VIDEOS
LATEST
Japanese Horses In the Kentucky Derby: Racing Stars From Japan
Japanese Horses In the Kentucky Derby: Racing Stars From Japan
Racing
Kentucky Derby International Scouting Report: Luxor Cafe, Admire Daytona
After Japan came closer than ever in the 2024 Kentucky Derby (G1), the two Japanese shippers for the 2025 Run for the Roses will attract plenty of attention.
Racing
The Jury: Expert Picks, Bets, and Fades for May 2-3, 2025
A special TwinSpires Jury of James Scully, Darin Zoccali, Ashley Anderson, and Nick Tammaro gather ahead of the 151st running of the Kentucky Derby (G1) and Oaks (G1) to dish out their top picks in the big races at Churchill Downs on Friday, May 2, and Saturday, May 3.
Racing
Horses: $177 Billion annually to the US Economy
For many Americans, Kentucky Derby day is the one big day when they take an interest in horse racing. In the popular mindset, all roads lead to the first Saturday in May at Louisville. But as spectacular as that one day is, it’s merely the high point of a multi-billion dollar industry that employs thousands of people.
Features
Race for the Crown episode 3 recap: The Road to the Derby - Part 2
Race for the Crown episode 3—titled "The Road to the Derby: Part 2"—slightly deviates from the chronological sequence of the 2024 Derby preps, focusing on the Santa Anita Derby (G1) and the Arkansas Derby (G1).
Racing
Kentucky Derby Roundup: Latest workouts and position post draw
The 2025 Kentucky Derby (G1) is five days away. Catch up on the latest news and notes as the first Saturday in May approaches:
Racing
STUDY: Is the Kentucky Derby's Apollo Curse a negative or positive?
Is a lack of juvenile racing experience a detriment in the Kentucky Derby, or is the Apollo Curse a myth resulting from an insufficient sample size of horses?
Racing
STUDY: Is the average age of Kentucky Derby-winning jockeys rising?
Anecdotally, it appears the average age of Kentucky Derby-winning jockeys has increased over the past 100 years. Does this hold up under closer scrutiny?
Racing
Journalism draws post 8, pegged as 3-1 favorite in 2025 Kentucky Derby
Post positions and morning-line odds for the 2025 Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks
Racing
LIVE
2025 Kentucky Derby post position draw with LIVE handicapping commentaryJoin our expert panel as they comment on the contenders post positions prior, after, and during the draw, and so much more!
Analysis
Horse Racing This Weekend: Key Races, Top Horses & Best Bets [April 26-27]
Find out everything you need to know about key races, top horse, and best bets with TwinSpires horse racing this weekend.
Analysis
A Glass Full of Memories: A History of the Derby's Iconic Mint Julep Glasses
From their humble beginnings in the 1930s to their collectible designs in 2025, the mint julep glass is another piece of the Kentucky Derby experience that leaves fans with lasting memories of their day under the Twin Spires.
Education
Kentucky Derby: 4 stories of ordinary bettors winning big
You don’t need to be a millionaire to win a big bet on the Kentucky Derby (G1). Play the right horse(s) in the right situation, and even a small budget can yield a lucrative payoff.
Racing
How to Calculate Fair Odds for the 2025 Kentucky Derby
Calculating a fair odds line for the 2025 Kentucky Derby (G1) is a multi-step process, but it helps determine which horse(s) to bet and is worth the effort.
Analysis
Race for the Crown episode 2 recap: The Road to the Derby - Part 1
Episode 2 of Race for the Crown, titled “The Road to the Derby – Part 1,” highlights two critical Kentucky Derby prep races: the Florida Derby (G1) and the Blue Grass S. (G1), both offering Derby qualifying points to the top five finishers.
Racing
Race for the Crown episode 1 recap: The Greatest 2 Minutes in Sports
Race for the Crown opens with episode 1, “The Greatest Two Minutes in Sports,” spotlighting the difficulty of getting to the Kentucky Derby. A voiceover sets the stakes: “20,000 horses born every year. 20 in the starting gate.”
Racing
Growth in Kentucky Derby Day betting virtually unabated in its modern history
Growth in Kentucky Derby Day is not up for debate. Betting virtually is firmly a part of modern history.
Racing
Thursday Thoughts with Jason Beem for April 24, 2025
Jason discusses 'wise guy' and 'narrative' horses that might get bet in this year's Kentucky Derby.
Racing
The Official EARLY 2025 Kentucky Derby Betting Guide
The EARLY 2025 Kentucky Derby Betting Guide focuses on getting to know the contenders probable to enter the Kentucky Derby.
Analysis
Render Judgment – Kentucky Derby Context
Runner-up in the Virginia Derby, Render Judgement will face a tall challenge if he makes the 20-horse Kentucky Derby field.
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby Roundup: Workouts, jockeys, shipping plans
The 2025 Kentucky Derby (G1) is 12 days away. Catch up on the latest news and notes as two-dozen contenders finalize preparations for the first Saturday in May:
Racing
Racing Roundtable: Easter weekend review and appealing longshots for the Kentucky Derby, Oaks
The Racing Roundtable of Ashley Anderson, James Scully, and Vance Hanson congregate to go over what caught their eye over the weekend in racing, but mostly to look ahead to the Kentucky Derby (G1) and Kentucky Oaks (G1).
Racing
Race for the Crown Premiers on Netflix: Follow Along with TwinSpires
Race for the Crown premieres on Netflix April 22. The six-part docuseries follows jockeys, trainers, and owners through the 2024 Triple Crown season, beginning with the previous season’s Breeders’ Cup.
Racing
STUDY: How many prep races are ideal for Kentucky Derby horses?
How many prep races are ideal to prepare a horse for victory in the Kentucky Derby? Let’s crunch the numbers and find out.
Racing
Built - Kentucky Derby Context
Built established himself as a promising prospect over the winter, recording a pair of commendable stakes efforts at Fair Grounds, but his last two performances raise doubts about his affinity for the 1 1/4-mile Kentucky Derby distance.
Kentucky Derby
Rodriguez – Kentucky Derby Context
After placing in his first two stakes, Rodriguez shipped east to record a convincing win in the Wood Memorial (G2)—the speedy colt figures to add speed to the Kentucky Derby for six-time winner Bob Baffert.
Kentucky Derby
Luxor Café – Kentucky Derby Context
A winner of four straight, Luxor Cafe qualified for the Kentucky Derby via the Japan Road and the late runner will bring a strong turn of foot to his first international appearance at Churchill Downs.
Kentucky Derby
Admire Daytona – Kentucky Derby Context
After setting the pace, Admire Daytona dug in gamely to win the U.A.E. Derby by a nose, and he will be third consecutive Japanese-based winner of the race to contest the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.
Kentucky Derby
Baeza – Kentucky Derby Context
After a fine second in the Santa Anita Derby (G1), Baeza counts 2023 Kentucky Derby winner Mage as a half-brother and rates as a serious win contender if he draws into the 20-horse field.
Kentucky Derby
Coal Battle - Kentucky Derby Context
Trained by 72-year-old Lonnie Briley, Coal Battle swept three consecutive Kentucky Derby qualifiers and will try to rebound after finishing third in the Arkansas Derby (G1).
Kentucky Derby
Neoequos – Kentucky Derby Context
Third in the Florida Derby (G1) and Fountain of Youth (G2), Neoequos will bring tactical speed to the Kentucky Derby (G1) if he draws into the main body of the 20-horse field.
Kentucky Derby
East Avenue - Kentucky Derby Context
A juvenile Grade 1 winner, East Avenue figures to show speed in the Kentucky Derby (G1) after earning a spot in the 20-horse field with a nose second in the Blue Grass S. (G1).
Kentucky Derby
Grande – Kentucky Derby Context
Trained by two-time Kentucky Derby winner Todd Pletcher, Grande will enter the Kentucky Derby off an encouraging runner-up finish in the Wood Memorial (G2) at Aqueduct.
Kentucky Derby
Final Gambit - Kentucky Derby Context
An upset Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) winner, Final Gambit, will bring a strong closing kick to his first dirt start in the Kentucky Derby (G1).
Kentucky Derby
Journalism - Kentucky Derby Context
After sweeping three consecutive stakes races in California, Journalism will be an imposing favorite in the 151st Kentucky Derby (G1) on May 3.
Kentucky Derby
Tappan Street - Kentucky Derby Context
Tappan Street captured the Florida Derby (G1) in his third career start, establishing himself as a serious Kentucky Derby contender, and the progressing colt will look to get first run on the deep closers at Churchill Downs.
Kentucky Derby
Watch Netflix's Race for the Crown along with TwinSpires
TwinSpires will recap each episode of Netflix's Race for the Crown as we count down to the 151st Kentucky Derby.
Racing
Burnham Square - Kentucky Derby Context
Burnham Square came on when adding blinkers this winter, breaking his maiden and winning the Holy Bull (G3) at Gulfstream. The fast-closing gelding then jumped to the top of the Kentucky Derby leaderboard, winning the Blue Grass (G1).
Kentucky Derby
Owen Almighty – Kentucky Derby Context
Owen Almighty will bring speed to the 20-horse Kentucky Derby field, going gate-to-wire in two of his three stakes wins. The 1 1/4-mile distance will be a challenge, however.
Kentucky Derby
Tall Tales of the Track – A Bargain Mare Yields a High Class Horse
The product of an unwanted mare and an unheralded stallion, Lieutenant Gibson was a record-breaking Kentucky Derby winner and a beloved horse, his too-short life unable to give him the legacy that his performances might have merited.
Racing
Horse Racing This Weekend: Key Races, Top Horses & Best Bets [April 19-20]
Find out everything you need to know about key races, top horse, and best bets with TwinSpires horse racing this weekend.
Analysis
Madaket Road - Kentucky Derby Context
Runner-up in the Rebel S. (G2) two starts back, Madaket Road figures to revert to stalking tactics in the Kentucky Derby (G1).
Kentucky Derby
Publisher - Kentucky Derby Context
Following an encouraging runner-up in the Arkansas Derby (G1), Publisher will look to earn his first career win in the Kentucky Derby (G1).
Kentucky Derby
Sandman – Kentucky Derby Context
Sandman established himself as a major Kentucky Derby (G1) contender with a rallying win in the Arkansas Derby (G1).
Kentucky Derby
2025 Kentucky Derby Trackside Coverage: Expert picks, odds, and all-access coverage
The 2025 Kentucky Derby is quickly approaching! Catch all the horse racing news directly from the race track for Kentucky Derby 2025. Stay up-to-date with exclusive interviews, picks, live odds and more.
Kentucky Derby
Flying Mohawk – Kentucky Derby Context
Flying Mohawk earned a Kentucky Derby berth finishing second in the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) at Turfway Park, and the confirmed closer will make his first dirt start at Churchill Downs on Derby Day.
Kentucky Derby
Tiztastic – Kentucky Derby Context
Kentucky Derby Context for Louisiana Derby (G2) winner Tiztastic, who promises to bring a late kick to the 151st running of the Kentucky Derby on May 3.
Kentucky Derby
American Promise – Kentucky Derby Context
Virginia Derby romper American Promise will represent the legendary D. Wayne Lukas, a four-time Kentucky Derby winner, and the speedy colt promises to add to the Kentucky Derby pace.
Kentucky Derby
Chunk of Gold - Kentucky Derby Context
After making his first two starts at Turfway Park, Chunk of Gold recorded consecutive runner-up finishes in the Risen Star S. (G2) and Louisiana Derby (G2) to guarantee himself a Kentucky Derby spot.
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Neoequos
Speed is a strong suit for Neoequos. But does he have the stamina to stretch out over 1 1/4 miles in the Kentucky Derby (G1)?
Racing
Citizen Bull – Kentucky Derby Context
Champion two-year-old male Citizen Bull did not turn in his best effort in the Santa Anita Derby (G1) and is a candidate to rebound for six-time Kentucky Derby winner Bob Baffert at Churchill Downs.
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Render Judgment
Render Judgment’s pedigree suggests he’ll stay 1 1/4 miles without issue, but does the stretch-running colt have enough speed to win the Kentucky Derby?
Racing
Kentucky Derby Roundup: Burnham Square wins the Blue Grass
The 2025 Kentucky Derby (G1) is 19 days away. Catch up on the latest news and notes as the Road to the Kentucky Derby unfolds:
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Madaket Road
Does Madaket Road have the requisite stamina to race 1 1/4 miles in the Kentucky Derby? His pedigree suggests classic distances might be a little longer than ideal.
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Gosger
The final leg of the 2024-25 Road to the Kentucky Derby was the 1 1/16-mile Lexington (G3) at Keeneland, in which maiden winner Gosger successfully stepped up in class to win by two lengths.
Racing
Top 10 Biggest Horse Races In The World
Let's look at the 10 biggest horse races in the world, from the “race that stops a nation” to the “fastest two minutes in sports.”
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Grande
Grande qualified for the 2025 Kentucky Derby (G1) via a strong runner-up finish in the 1 1/8-mile Wood Memorial (G2) at Aqueduct.
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Flying Mohawk
Can Flying Mohawk successfully switch from synthetic to dirt for the Kentucky Derby? His pedigree suggests it’s not a guarantee.
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: River Thames
A review of River Thames' pedigree suggests stretching out over classic distances for the Triple Crown series could be a question mark.
Racing
Horse Racing This Weekend: Key Races, Top Horses & Best Bets [April 12-13]
Find out everything you need to know about key races, top horse, and best bets with TwinSpires horse racing this weekend.
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Publisher
Although Publisher has yet to win a race, he qualified for the Kentucky Derby (G1) via a runner-up finish in the Arkansas Derby (G1) and aims to become the first maiden to win the Kentucky Derby since 1933.
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Chunk of Gold
Homestretch rallies carried Chunk of Gold to runner-up finishes in the Louisiana Derby (G2) and Risen Star (G2) on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, earning the gray colt a spot in the 2025 Kentucky Derby (G1) starting gate.
Racing
Horseplayers have new, powerful video weapon in handicapping arsenal
The integration of WSC Sports' AI-powered video technology into the TwinSpires platform isn't just another tech rollout – it's a game-changer for serious Derby preparation.
Kentucky Derby
Netflix offers exclusive behind-the-scenes perspective on journey to the Triple Crown
"Race for the Crown," a new six-part Netflix series premiering April 22, 2025, promises an immersive look into the high-stakes world of Thoroughbred horse racing.
Racing
Tipsheet: 2025 Lexington Stakes
A well-matched field of seven sophomores will travel 1 1/16 miles over the Keeneland dirt in Saturday’s $400,000 Lexington S. (G3). The 2025 Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series contest will reward the top five across the wire with qualifying points on a 20-10-6-4-2 basis.
Racing
Meet the Contenders: 2025 Lexington Stakes
Meet the horses running in the 2025 Lexington S. (G3) at Keeneland. For each horse, we're listing a pro, a con, and a rating of potential.
Racing
Racing Roundtable: Final round of major Kentucky Derby and Oaks in the books
In this week’s edition of the Racing Roundtable, Ashley Anderson, James Scully, and Vance review the final round of major Kentucky Derby (G1) and Kentucky Oaks (G1) preps at Aqueduct, Keeneland, Meydan, providing analysis of the races' impact and any vulnerabilities of the projected Kentucky Derby favorite.
Racing
Kentucky Derby preps: How productive is the Wood Memorial?
The productivity of the Wood Memorial (G2) as a Kentucky Derby (G1) prep race has always been cyclical, rising, falling, and rising again across decades.
Racing
Kentucky Derby Roundup: Journalism reaffirms favoritism
The 2025 Kentucky Derby (G1) is 26 days away. Catch up on the latest news and notes as the Road to the Kentucky Derby unfolds:
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Rodriguez
Rodriguez emerged as a top-tier 2025 Kentucky Derby (G1) contender when leading from start to finish in the Wood Memorial (G2) on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Admire Daytona
Japanese raider Admire Daytona displayed unwavering tenacity when taking his game on the road to the UAE Derby (G2) at Meydan in Dubai.
Racing
Journalism retains 5-1 favoritism in KDFW Pool 6
The sixth and final pool of the 2025 Kentucky Derby Future Wager (KDFW) closed Saturday at 4 p.m. ET, giving bettors an opportunity to lock into contenders prior to the last three major U.S. preps.
Racing
Is the Kentucky Oaks more predictable than the Kentucky Derby?
It stands to reason that the Kentucky Oaks, which is limited to 14 starters, is an easier race to handicap than the 20-horse Kentucky Derby. But is this true?
Racing
Wood Memorial Stakes & Santa Anita Derby: Picks, race entries, analysis & LIVE horse racing news
Enjoy live odds for all the upcoming stakes races, including the Wood Memorial and Santa Anita Derby entries. Watch replays of those important stakes, and discover Arkansas Derby and Florida Derby results and for each stakes race.
Live
Horse Racing This Weekend: Key Races, Top Horses & Best Bets [April 5-8]
Find out everything you need to know about key races, top horse, and best bets with TwinSpires horse racing this weekend.
Racing
The Jury: Expert Picks, Bets, and Fades for April 3, 2025
The TwinSpires Jury of James Scully, Ashley Anderson, and Darin Zoccali provide their best bets for major Kentucky Derby and Oaks qualifiers at Aqueduct, Keeneland, and Santa Anita.
Racing
Tipsheet: 2025 Blue Grass Stakes
A strong field of seven sophomores will travel nine panels over the Keeneland dirt in Saturday’s $1.25 million Blue Grass S. (G1).
Wagering
Tipsheet: 2025 Santa Anita Derby
A compact, but sensational, field of five three-year-olds will go 1 1/8 miles on the dirt in Saturday’s $500,000 Santa Anita Derby (G1).
Wagering
Tipsheet: 2025 Wood Memorial Stakes
A well-matched field of 12 sophomores will travel 1 1/8 miles over the Aqueduct dirt in Saturday’s $750,000 Wood Memorial S. (G2).
Analysis
Meet the Contenders: 2025 Blue Grass Stakes
Meet the horses running in the 2025 Blue Grass S. (G1) at Keeneland. For each horse, we're listing a pro, a con, and a rating of potential.
Racing
10 horses to watch in the final top-tier Kentucky Derby preps
Four weeks out from the 2025 Kentucky Derby (G1), only three top-tier Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifiers remain on the agenda.
Racing
Journalism 4-1 in early-closing KDFW Pool 6
The sixth and final Kentucky Derby Future Wager (KDFW) pool in advance of this year's Churchill Downs classic is scheduled this week beginning Thursday at noon ET.
Kentucky Derby
4 jockey stats to know for Kentucky Derby week at Churchill Downs
If you’re a bettor who factors jockey assignments into your handicapping, we’ve got a handful of stats and facts for you to keep in mind during Kentucky Derby week at Churchill Downs:
Racing
Top 10 best racehorses of all time
Ranking the greatest racehorse of all time is an exercise fraught with challenges and subjectivity. But I'm going to give it a try.
Racing
Meet the Contenders: 2025 Wood Memorial Stakes
Meet the horses running in the 2025 Wood Memorial Stakes (G2) at Aqueduct. For each horse, we're listing a pro, a con, and a rating of potential.
Analysis
Horse racing was Toby Keith’s passion, recalls Country Bro Stables partner
A passion for winning horse races brought Danny Caldwell and country music superstar Toby Keith together. That passion will keep them together for the time being in spirit.
Racing
Racing Roundtable: Kentucky Derby and Oaks preps at Oaklawn and Gulfstream, Pool 6 of the KDFW
In this week’s edition of the Racing Roundtable, Ashley Anderson, James Scully, and Vance review last weekend’s Kentucky Derby (G1) and Kentucky Oaks (G1) preps at Oaklawn Park and Gulfstream Park, plus look ahead to the sixth and final pool of the 2025 Kentucky Derby Future Wager.
Racing
Meet the Contenders: 2025 Santa Anita Derby
Meet the horses running in the 2024 Santa Anita Derby at Santa Anita. For each horse, we're listing a pro, a con, and a rating of potential.
Analysis
Michael Iavarone explains his winning Pick-5 ticket structure
Michael Iavarone had the sole winning ticket of Tampa Bay Downs’ late Pick 5 worth $435,029.40 on Feb. 8, 2020 when placing his bet at TwinSpires.com.
Racing
Kentucky Derby Roundup: Sandman, Tappan Street step forward
The 2025 Kentucky Derby (G1) is 33 days away. Catch up on the latest news and notes as the Road to the Kentucky Derby unfolds:
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Sandman
An eye-catching rally from behind a fast pace carried Sandman to victory in the 1 1/8-mile Arkansas Derby (G1) on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Tappan Street
A well-timed rally carried Tappan Street to victory in the 1 1/8-mile Florida Derby (G1) on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, stamping the bay colt as the latest top-tier Kentucky Derby (G1) contender sired by Into Mischief.
Racing
Kentucky Derby Lucky Losers: Cryptoclearance (1987)
Cryptoclearance was another exceptional member of the class of 1984, a hard-trying horse who was always in the mix in the sport’s biggest stakes and a stellar sire who passed on his champion genes to more than one classic winner.
Racing
Florida Derby & Arkansas Derby: Picks, race entries, analysis & LIVE horse racing news
Enjoy live odds for all the upcoming stakes races, including the Florida Derby and the Arkansas Derby entries. Watch replays of those important stakes, and discover Arkansas Derby and Florida Derby results and for each stakes race.
Racing
Horse Racing This Weekend: Key Races, Top Horses & Best Bets [March 29-30]
Find out everything you need to know about key races, top horse, and best bets with TwinSpires horse racing this weekend.
Analysis
The Jury: Expert Picks, Bets, and Fades for March 29 [VIDEO]
The TwinSpires Jury of James Scully, Ashley Anderson, and Darin Zoccali discuss their best bets and fades at Oaklawn Park for the Arkansas Derby (G1) card and Gulfstream Park for Florida Derby (G1) Day. Plus, they give their top picks for both 100-point Kentucky Derby prep races on Saturday.
Racing
Tipsheet: 2025 Florida Derby
An excellent field of 10 sophomores will travel 1 1/8 miles on the Gulfstream Park dirt in Saturday’s lucrative, $1 million Florida Derby (G2). The 2025 Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series contest will reward the top five finishers with qualifying points on a 100-50-25-15-10 basis.
Racing
Tipsheet: 2025 Arkansas Derby
A total of nine three-year-olds will go 1 1/8 miles at Oaklawn Park in Saturday’s $1.5 million Arkansas Derby (G1). The 2025 Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series contest will reward the top five finishers of the heat with qualifying points towards the Run for the Roses on a 100-50-25-15-10 structure.
Racing
Kentucky Derby 2026
Kentucky Derby news
Each of these series serve fresh, weekly updates - except for pedigree profiles which follow Road to the Kentucky Derby prep-races.
Kentucky Derby information
Below are hubs for key topics surrounding important aspects of the Kentucky Derby. From contenders to odds to the Future Wager.
Learn about the 2026 Kentucky Derby
What is the Kentucky Derby?
- Location: Churchill Downs
- Inaugural Race: 1875
- Current Distance: 1 & 1/4 miles (10 furlongs)
- Track Type: Left-Handed Dirt
- Age Qualification: Three-year-olds
- 2026 Purse: $5 million
- 2026 Race Date: Saturday, May 2nd
Current Kentucky Derby Probable Contenders: | Runner Information |
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
Kentucky Derby Video & Official Race Replays
A Brief History of the Kentucky Derby
The most famous horse race in the world is the most thrilling two minutes in sport. It takes place on the first Saturday in May at the historic Churchill Downs racecourse in Louisville, Kentucky and regularly attended by more than 150,000 people. The record attendance was 165,307 in 2012, and in 2014 164,906 watched California Chrome win "the run for the roses".
The inaugural Kentucky Derby took place in 1875 after Col. Meriweather Lewis Clark, Jr had visited England three years earlier and witnessed the Epsom Derby, a famous race which had been run since 1780 on the outskirts of London. The Kentucky Derby was originally raced over the same distance of 1 & 1/2 miles as the Epsom Derby (it was changed to its current distance of 1 & 1/4 miles in 1896. An estimated crowd of 10,000 watched the colt Aristides crowned winner of the first running of the race at the newly constructed Churchill Downs racecourse.
The first live radio broadcast of the Kentucky Derby was in 1925, and it wasn't until 1949 that the first television coverage of the race happened. In 2016 the race will be covered live by NBC with real-time payouts and results from horse racing's premier event available all day on BetAmerica.com.
The race is so popular that in the preceding two weeks leading up to the running, the city of Louisville holds the Kentucky Derby Festival, Kentucky’s largest single annual event. The Kentucky Derby Festival is comprised of several events, including Thunder Over Louisville (the biggest annual fireworks display in North America), the Great Balloon Race, the Pegasus Parade (one the countries largest), and The Great Steamboat Race.
Entries into the Kentucky Derby include some of the most famous racehorses to ever compete. Notable entries into the race include Regret, Sir Burton, Gallant Fox, Omaha, War Admiral, Citation, Northern Dancer, Seattle Slew, War Emblem, and California Chrome.
Visit our Kentucky Derby Trivia page for more insights into the most famous race in the world, including detailed facts about entries, records, and winners.
TwinSpires is a licensed supplier of online betting on the Kentucky Derby. You can bet on the Kentucky Derby legally online at TwinSpires.com with a regulated U.S. based website where your deposits are safe and your winnings are guaranteed. All bets are placed directly into the official Churchill Downs betting pools and all winnings are paid at full track odds.
Kentucky Derby Race Records
Fastest Time Recorded
- 1.59.40
Secretariat - 1973
Biggest Odds Winner
- 91-1
Donerail - 1913
Biggest Win Margin
- 8 lengths
Assault (1946) & Whirlaway (1941)
Most Wins by a Jockey
- 5
Eddie Arcaro (1938, 1941, 1945, 1948, 1952) & Bill Hartack (1957, 1960, 1962, 1964, 1969)
Most Wins by an Owner
- 8
Calumet Farm (1941, 1944, 1948, 1949, 1952, 1957, 1958, 1968)
Most Wins by a Trainer
- 6
Ben A Jones (1938, 1941, 1944, 1948, 1949, 1952)
Bob Baffert (1997, 1998, 2002, 2015, 2018, 2020, 2021*)
Kentucky Derby prep-race listing:
View a complete list of prep-races that award points along the Road to the Kentucky Derby trail. Prep-races are valuable stepping stones for horses looking to compete on the First Saturday in May.
Kentucky Derby Party & Fun Facts
- KELLY: One Hundred Years Ago, Colonel Bradley Goes for the One-Two
- KELLY: More Than One Way to Wear Roses
- HANSON: D. Wayne Lukas the best asset for fillies in Kentucky Derby preps
- HANSON: Phenom to Journeyman: The Riding Life of Bill Boland
- KELLY: Some Things Stay the Same: One Hundred Days, One Hundred Years Ago
- HANSON: 1945 - When the Kentucky Derby moved from May to June
POPULAR ARTICLES
Kentucky Derby International Scouting Report: Luxor Cafe, Admire Daytona
The Jury: Expert Picks, Bets, and Fades for May 2-3, 2025
Horses: $177 Billion annually to the US Economy
Race for the Crown episode 3 recap: The Road to the Derby - Part 2
Kentucky Derby Roundup: Latest workouts and position post draw
VIDEOS
LATEST