The 150th edition of the Kentucky Derby is nearly here, which means bettors in Virginia will already be looking for the best sportsbooks to consider for their horse racing wagering.
The derby is scheduled on Saturday, May 4 at Churchill Downs in Kentucky with a purse of $5 million.
Which Sportsbooks Can Be Used For Kentucky Derby Betting?
Virginia has been one of the most consistent sports betting states in the country since Virginia sports betting launched in January 2021.
The best online option for betting the Kentucky Derby in Virigina is FanDuel Racing Virginia. Currently, FDR is running a promo offer for new customers for the Kentucky Derby: $500 No Sweat First Bet. If you’re a new customer, you can place your first bet on any race at any track on FanDuel Racing. If that bet loses, FanDuel will refund your loss as racing credit up to that $500. The refund will be credited within 72 hours of the settled bet and will then expire after 7 days.
Andrew Moore, General Manager of Racing at FanDuel, said in the lead-up to the Run For the Roses:
“FanDuel continues to lead the industry as the only online sportsbook to offer a single account and wallet for sports and horse racing wagering. Coupling this exceptional race and our leading technology is a unique opportunity to introduce new fans to the sport of horse racing.
“The Kentucky Derby is a special sports tradition and FanDuel is proud to partner with Churchill Downs for the 150th edition of the race. We will be utilizing our platform to bring FanDuel customers a set of special offers and a one-of-a-kind experience for the Derby.”
In Virginia, FanDuel Racing is an integrated product with the rest of the FanDuel sportsbook. According to the FanDuel website, “The promotion is only open to individuals who at the time and date of entry are legal residents of an FDR participating state, have not wagered on FanDuel Racing, FanDuel Sportsbook, FanDuel Casino, FanDuel Fantasy, or FanDuel Faceoff and are twenty-one (21) years of age or older.”
Morning Line Odds for the 2024 Kentucky Derby
The morning line odds for the 2024 Kentucky Derby were released on Saturday, April 27. Here are the horses, jockeys and odds for all 20 participants, ranked by post position:
- Dornoch, Luis Saez: 20-1 odds
- Sierra Leone, Tyler Gaffalione: 3-1 odds
- Mystik Dan, Brian Hernandez Jr.: 20-1 odds
- Catching Freedom, Flavien Prat: 8-1 odds
- Catalytic, Jose Ortiz: 30-1 odds
- Just Steel, Keith Asmussen: 20-1 odds
- Honor Marie, Ben Curtis: 20-1 odds
- Just a Touch, Florent Geroux: 10-1 odds
- Encino, Axel Concepcion: 20-1 odds [SCRATCHED]
- T O Password, Kazushi Kimura: 30-1 odds
- Forever Young, Ryusei Sakai: 10-1 odds
- Track Phantom, Joel Rosario: 20-1 odds
- West Saratoga, Jesus Castanon: 50-1 odds
- Endlessly, Umberto Rispoli: 30-1 odds
- Domestic Product, Irad Ortiz Jr.: 30-1 odds
- Grand Mo the First, Emisael Jaramillo: 50-1 odds
- Fierceness, John Velazquez: 5-2 odds
- Stronghold, Antonio Fresu: 20-1 odds
- Resilience, Junior Alvarado: 20-1 odds
- Society Man, Frankie Dettori: 50-1 odds
- Epic Ride, Adam Beschizza: 30-1 odds
Fierceness is presently listed as the favorite to win the Kentucky Derby at 5-2. He is coming into the Run for the Roses off the back of a terrific win in the Florida Derby, his third win in five starts. “We’re going to go to Kentucky as the Kentucky Derby favorite,” owner Mike Repole said. “I’ve been there before. The fastest horse I’ve ever owned.”
Sierra Leone is also right up there in the oddsboard for the Kentucky Derby at 3-1. After narrowly missing the victory in the Remsen Stakes, Sierra Leone made rapid strides by winning the first 50-point in the prep for the Kentucky Derby.
Shenandoah Kentucky Derby Viewing Party
Based on where you’re located, there are several activities for local entertainment for the Kentucky Derby. If you’re in Northern Virginia, Shenandoah Downs hosts an annual Kentucky Derby viewing party. Ahead of the derby, there will be a full day of standardbred racing to whet your horse racing appetite.
The Kentucky Derby will also be shown on the jumbotron at the track after the last harness race. Activities at Shenandoah Downs include a fancy hat party as well as other live entertainment competitions.
FanDuel TV and FanDuel TV+ will be streaming the lead-up to the Kentucky Derby as well as the live races, apart from the races for which NBC has acquired exclusive rights, from Churchill Downs. “We couldn’t be more excited to bring our loyal audience live racing and unprecedented access during Derby Week on FanDuel TV. We thank Churchill Downs Inc. for our partnership,” Kevin Grigsby, executive producer and senior vice president of FanDuel TV, said. “There is no bigger event in horse racing than the Kentucky Derby and FanDuel TV will be there for every step of the action.”
