The 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby is set to take place at Churchill Downs Racetrack this Saturday, May 2nd, 2026.
The Kentucky Derby traditionally takes place on the first Saturday of May, and it’s generally the second most bet on single day sporting event in the United States each year, next to only the Super Bowl.
If you live in Maryland or Virginia and are interested in betting on the 2026 Kentucky Derby then you are in the right place. On this page I will look at where you can bet, touch on the betting climate in both states, look at the Derby winner odds, and finish with a simple 3 step guide.
Where To Bet
Maryland and Virginia residents can bet on the Kentucky Derby online through licensed advance deposit wagering (ADW) apps such as TwinSpires, FanDuel Racing and Xpressbet, or in person at local tracks that offer simulcast betting. Most racing apps require you to be at least 18, or 21 in some states, and they verify your identity and location when you sign up.
Other options include prediction markets such as Kalshi, which have listed winner markets on Triple Crown races, and offshore racebooks, which accept US customers but are not licensed or regulated by any state. Our horse racing betting guide explains how each option works.
Kentucky Derby Betting in Maryland and Virginia
Sports betting is legal in both Maryland and Virginia. The first regulated Virginia sportsbooks launched in January of 2021, and Maryland launched regulated online sports betting on November 23rd, 2022, with multiple online sportsbooks now operating across both states.
Maryland and Virginia residents can also place Kentucky Derby bets at local tracks that offer simulcast betting. Laurel Park in Laurel, Maryland and Colonial Downs Racetrack in New Kent, Virginia are examples of tracks that take bets on the Kentucky Derby.
2026 Kentucky Derby Winner Odds
Here are the fixed winner odds for the race (odds from May 1st):
Renegade, Commandment, Further Ado and Chief Wallabee were the four favorites heading into the race.
Bet On The Kentucky Derby – 3 Steps
Complete this three step guide to bet on the Kentucky Derby from Maryland or Virginia.
Step 1. Choose a Licensed Racing App
Pick a licensed ADW app that accepts your state, such as TwinSpires, FanDuel Racing or Xpressbet. All of them carry the full Kentucky Derby day card from Churchill Downs. If you would rather bet in person, Laurel Park and Colonial Downs both take simulcast bets on the race.
Step 2. Sign Up and Fund Your Account
Open an account with the app you picked and complete its identity check, which usually asks for the last four digits of your Social Security number. Then make a deposit, most commonly with a debit card or bank transfer.
Step 3. Bet On The Kentucky Derby
There are two ways to bet on the Kentucky Derby: fixed-odds and futures bets before race day, and the full menu of pari-mutuel bets once the race day card opens.
Before Race Day (Futures and Fixed Odds)
Kentucky Derby betting starts months before the race. Churchill Downs runs the Kentucky Derby Future Wager, a series of pari-mutuel pools that open in the fall and close in early April. Your odds are locked in when the pool you bet in closes, and there are no refunds if your horse does not make the race. You can bet the Future Wager through racing apps such as TwinSpires and at many racetracks, in states where they are allowed.
Fixed-odds bets on the Derby winner, where the odds are locked in when you place the bet, are offered by prediction markets such as Kalshi and by offshore sportsbooks. Regulated US sportsbook apps generally do not take bets on horse racing. Fixed-odds markets usually stay open right up to post time, and they often include extras such as matchups and top three finish bets.
On Race Day (Pari-Mutuel Betting)
Racing apps and tracks open betting on the Derby day card a few days before the race, and the morning line odds are set after the post position draw during the week before the race. Find Churchill Downs in the track list and go to race #12 on May 2nd, which has a post time of 6:57pm ET. Choose your horse and bet type, enter your stake, and confirm the bet on your bet slip. Popular Kentucky Derby bets include:
- Win, Place or Show – Your horse must finish first (win), first or second (place), or in the top three (show).
- Exacta – Pick the first and second place finishers in the exact order.
- Trifecta – Pick the top three finishers in the exact order.
- Superfecta – Pick the top four finishers in the exact order.
These are pari-mutuel bets, so your payout depends on the final pool at post time. Check out our horse race betting section for more information about this betting system and the various bets you can make on a horse race. We also have a dedicated Kentucky Derby page where you can learn more about the race. Most licensed apps let you set deposit and time limits in your account settings. If betting stops being fun, help is available 24/7 at 1-800-GAMBLER.
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