The Kentucky Derby is the biggest event in all of horse racing. The 2025 Kentucky Derby will also be one of the biggest events in sports. All of the key Kentucky Derby dates garner a ton of attention and the winner gets put on a level that other horses, jockeys, and owners can only aspire to reach.
Sports betting on the Kentucky Derby is a huge deal. The Kentucky Derby 2025 will be no different and the best online sports betting sites will soon have bets and odds available for the Derby. Let’s look ahead to the Kentucky Derby odds by taking a look back at the year before as well.
2024 Kentucky Derby
The 2024 Kentucky Derby set records, seeing more than $210 million wagered on the day. Of all the races run at Churchill Downs, a record $320.5 million was wagered as more than 20 million people tuned in on the day.
Everyone watching was treated to as dramatic a finish as can be remembered at the event. A three-way photo finish was ultimately won by Mystik Dan, topping Forever Young and Sierra Leone. Fierceness was the favorite coming in but couldn’t keep pace and ultimately fell out of contention at 15th.
It was the first three-way photo finish since the 1947 Kentucky Derby, seeing Sierra Leone and Forever Young bump into one another several times down the stretch.
2025 Kentucky Derby
The 2025 Kentucky Derby odds are already ready and going since official futures can be placed. All American Dream, Dapper Moon, Hill Road, Mo Plex, Patch Adams, Rookie Card, Shin Believe, and Touchy are all the longest of long shots at 99-1.
Jonathan’s Way and Chancer McPatrick are the tentative favorites as of now, both coming in at 12-1. Ferocious is the next closest at 20-1. A lot can change between now and May, however, so it is important to keep up with the latest Kentucky Derby odds to see who the sportsbooks like to win the event.
The Leadup to the Derby
As important as the Derby is, it is the leadup that garners just as much attention. Ahead of the 2025 Kentucky Derby, there are key Kentucky Derby dates to keep in mind. On Thursday, May 1, there is the historic Mint Julep Sunset Social as well as a huge festival with live music to get things going.
On Friday, May 2, there is the Kentucky Oaks. This is the premier race for 3-year-old fillies and sets the tone for the weekend. On Saturday is the main event. Bettors will be scouring Kentucky Derby odds hoping to find the right pick.
The action the weekend of the Kentucky Derby is unlike anything else in sports. The pageantry, the elegance, and the history help to make the Kentucky Derby one of the premier events in sports. The Kentucky Derby 2025 will be no different and you can go into the event knowing who the favorites are to win the prestigious event.
