The Kentucky Derby is one of the most heavily wagered races in the world, and the 153rd running is set for Saturday, May 1st, 2027 at Churchill Downs. With a $5 million purse and $3.1 million going to the winner, it is the richest race in American horse racing. This is your complete guide to betting the 2027 Run for the Roses, from live odds to exotic bets. For every wager type explained, visit the Kentucky Derby betting page, or follow the early contenders on the Kentucky Derby odds page.
| 2027 Bet on the Kentucky Derby at a Glance | |
|---|---|
| Race Date | Saturday, May 1st, 2027 |
| Track | Churchill Downs, Louisville, Kentucky |
| Post Time | Approximately 6:57 PM ET |
| Field Size | Maximum of 20 |
| Purse | $5,000,000, with $3,100,000 to the winner |
| Post Position Draw | Saturday, April 24, 2027 |
| Broadcast | NBC and Peacock |
| Where to Bet | BUSR |
| Rebate | 10% horse betting rebate paid daily on selected wagers |
Get up to $1,000 Sign Up Cash Bonus - for your first deposit with BUSR, you'll get an additional 20% bonus to your deposit absolutely free. Plus, earn a 10% horse betting rebate paid daily on selected wagers.
Here are the latest Kentucky Derby 2027 odds, updated in real time:
| 2027 Kentucky Derby Future Odds | ||
| PP | Horse / Jockey / Trainer | Fractional |
|---|---|---|
| -- | U.S.S. ValorTBA · C. McGaughey III | 13/2 |
| -- | HughesTBA · B. Baffert | 10/1 |
| -- | American HistoryTBA · T. Pletcher | 16/1 |
| -- | SalahudinTBA · B. Baffert | 20/1 |
| -- | PowerlineTBA · S. Asmussen | 25/1 |
| -- | Fools Rush InTBA · B. Cox | 25/1 |
| -- | NevadaTBA · C. Brown | 33/1 |
| -- | InshallahTBA · J. Sadler | 33/1 |
| -- | The Good LifeTBA · B. Cox | 33/1 |
| -- | Coach PopeTBA · K. McPeek | 33/1 |
| -- | Lord MischiefTBA · B. Cox | 33/1 |
| -- | EndrushTBA · E. Kenneally | 33/1 |
| -- | Hullabaloo Ray RayTBA · B. Cox | 50/1 |
| -- | StaunchTBA · B. Walsh | 50/1 |
| -- | JasTBA · S. Asmussen | 50/1 |
| -- | Twinkle TownTBA · K. McPeek | 50/1 |
| -- | GaudreauTBA · C. Brown | 50/1 |
| -- | Q B RocketTBA · B. Cox | 50/1 |
Last Updated on 11/09/2026
Betting the Kentucky Derby online takes a few minutes. Follow these four steps to place your first Derby wager:
Fund your account at least a day before Derby Day so your balance is ready when the odds go live. In the days leading up to May 1, the full field is announced. The race card typically includes horse names and post positions, jockeys and trainers, morning-line odds and past performance data. Studying it helps you make informed bets, because odds fluctuate with the wagered money and early picks may change in value by post time.
The Kentucky Derby uses the pari-mutuel betting system. All wagers go into a shared pool, the track deducts a small percentage, and the rest is divided among winning tickets. Odds are not fixed. They shift constantly based on where the money is going right up until the gates open.
| How Kentucky Derby Odds Affect Your Payout | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Win Bet | Odds | Profit | Total Return |
| $2 | 2/1 | $4 | $6 |
| $2 | 5/1 | $10 | $12 |
| $2 | 10/1 | $20 | $22 |
| $2 | 20/1 | $40 | $42 |
| $2 | 50/1 | $100 | $102 |
Morning-line odds are set by Churchill Downs' official handicapper and serve as a starting point. By post time, they will have shifted based on betting volume. Watch the live tote board in the final hour before the race for the most accurate picture. For a deeper breakdown, visit the Kentucky Derby betting page.
The Kentucky Derby is one of the most exotic-friendly races in the world. A 20-horse field means massive pools and massive potential payouts. Here is what you need to know:
| Kentucky Derby 2027 Exotic Bets | |
|---|---|
| Bet | How It Works |
| Exacta | Pick the top two finishers in exact order. A $2 exacta combining a 10/1 and 20/1 horse can return $200 or more. |
| Trifecta | Pick the top three in exact order. Box three horses at $2 for $12 and cover all six possible finishing combinations. |
| Superfecta | Pick the top four in exact order. A $0.10 Superfecta box on four horses costs just $2.40 and gives you 24 combinations. The Kentucky Derby Superfecta regularly pays five figures. |
Box your picks and let the race sort them out. One longshot in the right position is all it takes. Beginners often stick with win, place or show bets, while experienced bettors use boxed bets to increase their chances.
For better results when you bet on the Kentucky Derby, consider these tips:
| Kentucky Derby 2027 Betting Tips | |
|---|---|
| Tip | What to Look For |
| Do not bet only on favorites | The Derby favorite wins only about a third of the time. Fields are large, chaotic, and unpredictable by design. |
| Include longshots in your exotics | One 20/1 or 30/1 horse landing in the top four can turn a $2.40 Superfecta box into a life-changing payout. |
| Follow the prep races | Horses coming out of the Arkansas Derby, Florida Derby, and Blue Grass Stakes carry the most reliable form into Churchill Downs. |
| Box your exotic bets | A boxed Trifecta on three horses costs $12 at $2 and pays regardless of the finishing order among your three picks. |
| Watch jockey and trainer trends | Certain jockeys and trainers have Churchill Downs records that consistently outperform their morning-line odds on Derby Day. |
| Check Louisville weather on race morning | A wet or muddy track completely reshapes the race. Mudders jump dramatically in value the moment rain hits the forecast. |
| Watch the tote board | Late money on a horse signals confidence. A horse drifting from 15/1 down to 8/1 in the final hour is worth a second look. |
Stay tuned to USRacing.com news and expert picks as May 1 approaches. Key factors like a late scratch, a pace mismatch, or an unexpected post position can shift the entire race on draw day.
The 2027 Kentucky Derby field is set through the Road to the Kentucky Derby points series. The top 20 point-earners earn a gate spot. The official post position draw takes place on Saturday, April 24, 2027. Track every contender and every update on the Kentucky Derby contenders page.
Current top Kentucky Derby 2027 contenders:
| # | Horse | Trainer | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hughes | Bob Baffert | 40 |
| 2 | American History | Todd A. Pletcher | 25 |
| 3 | Salahudin | Bob Baffert | 19 |
| 4 | Coach Pope | Kenneth G. McPeek | 11 |
| 5 | U.S.S. Valor | Claude R. McGaughey III | 10 |
| 6 | Jas | Steven M. Asmussen | 10 |
| 7 | He Is No Lie | Doug F. O'Neill | 5 |
| 8 | Gaudreau | Chad C. Brown | 5 |
| 9 | Net Par | Antonio C. Garcia | 5 |
| 10 | Staunch | Brendan P. Walsh | 5 |
| 11 | Q B Rocket | Brad H. Cox | 3 |
| 12 | Damavand | Todd A. Pletcher | 3 |
| 13 | Club Reign | D. Whitworth Beckman | 3 |
| 14 | Imperial Honor | Bob Baffert | 3 |
| 15 | Caribbean Life | William Walden | 3 |
| 16 | Mystik Bayou | Kenneth G. McPeek | 3 |
| 17 | Real Goodbar | Kenneth G. McPeek | 2 |
| 18 | Blessed Flyer | Michael A. Tomlinson | 2 |
| 19 | Domus | Bob Baffert | 2 |
| 20 | Title Worthy | Dallas Stewart | 2 |
Last Updated on 11/10/2026
Beyond the standard win, place, and show pools, BUSR gives you access to more Kentucky Derby prop bets than any other platform:
| Kentucky Derby 2027 Prop Bets | |
|---|---|
| Prop | What You Can Bet |
| Winning trainer | Todd Pletcher, Bob Baffert, Brad Cox, and more |
| Winning jockey | Irad Ortiz Jr., John Velazquez, Luis Saez |
| Margin of victory | By a nose, by a length, by 5 or more |
| Winning time vs Secretariat | The winning time against Secretariat's record |
| Triple Crown Contention | Will the winner attempt the Triple Crown |
These prop markets open well before race day and offer excellent value for bettors who do their homework on the field.
The 2027 Kentucky Derby runs on Saturday, May 1st, 2027, at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Post time is approximately 6:57 PM ET. It is the 153rd running of the race and carries a $5 million purse with $3.1 million going to the winner.
You can bet on the Kentucky Derby 2027 online at BUSR. Opening an account takes just a few minutes. New customers get up to a $1,000 Sign Up Cash Bonus plus a 10% horse betting rebate paid daily on selected wagers. Live odds and the complete Derby card are available in one place.
The 2027 Kentucky Derby purse is $5 million, with $3.1 million going to the winner. It is the richest race in American horse racing and the first leg of the Triple Crown.
The Kentucky Derby 2027 airs live on NBC and streams on Peacock. You can also watch Graded Stakes races live at BUSR after placing a bet.
The official post position draw takes place on Saturday, April 24, 2027, at Churchill Downs Opening Day. Post positions and morning-line odds are announced that day. Check the Kentucky Derby contenders page for the full field once positions are released.
Saturday, May 1st, 2027 is almost here. The best betting positions go to those who get in early. Open your BUSR account, claim your Sign Up Cash Bonus, earn a 10% horse betting rebate paid daily on selected wagers, and watch the 153rd Kentucky Derby live. This is the Run for the Roses. Do not watch it from the sidelines.
| Kentucky Derby Guides and Tools | |
|---|---|
| Page | What You'll Find |
| Kentucky Derby | Race facts, the road to the starting gate, early contenders and the full replay. |
| Kentucky Derby Odds | Early contenders, how odds work and how the prep season moves the market. |
| Kentucky Derby Betting | Every bet type, payouts, futures wagers and how to get started. |
| Kentucky Derby Prep Races | The full prep race schedule with dates, tracks and points. |
| Road to the Derby Leaderboard | Which three-year-olds lead the points race. |
| Kentucky Oaks | The Friday fillies race that opens Derby weekend. |
| Churchill Downs | The home of the Kentucky Derby in Louisville. |
| Preakness Stakes | The second leg of the Triple Crown. |
