How To Bet On The 2026 Kentucky Derby in California

It’s Derby Day! The Kentucky Derby captures the imagination of Americans across the country and betting on the race is part of the culture. In a typical year the Kentucky Derby gets the second most betting action of single day betting events, next to only the Super Bowl.

This years Kentucky Derby will take place on its traditional day on the first Saturday in May, which is this evening (May 2nd) this year. The race has a post time of 3:57pm PT (6:57pm ET) and will be broadcast on NBC and Peacock.

On this page I will look at where California residents can legally bet on the Kentucky Derby, outline the odds for the race and provide a simple 3 step guide to get your bets placed.

Where To Bet

Horse racing is the one form of sports betting that is fully legal in California. 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 tracks like Santa Anita Park and Del Mar and at satellite wagering facilities, which take simulcast bets on races from across the country.

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 California

California has allowed pari-mutuel betting on horse racing for decades, and online horse betting through licensed ADW operators has been legal since 2001. Other types of sports betting are still not legal in the state, after voters rejected two sports betting measures in 2022.

The big tracks in California such as Del Mar or Santa Anita Park often have special events on Derby Day, and their simulcast areas are packed with fans with action on the race. Check out our California sports betting section for a further breakdown of the betting climate in the State.

2026 Kentucky Derby Odds

Here are the fixed winner odds and post positions for the 2026 Kentucky Derby (taken on May 2nd, race day):

Commandment, Renegade, and Further Ado are the three favorites, while Chief Wallabee and The Puma are the other two top contenders. Odds at racing apps and at the track are pari-mutuel, so they will move up to post time.

How To Bet On Kentucky Derby From California – 3 Step Guide

Follow this 3 step guide to get your Kentucky Derby bets placed online.

Step 1. Choose a Licensed Racing App

Pick a licensed ADW app that accepts California residents, 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, any California track that offers simulcast wagering will take 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 3:57pm PT (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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