Safe Betting On Kentucky Derby

Check out what happened this week on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. Also, check out top plays and Horse Racing Odds from Kentucky Derby for Saturday, May 1. You can also visit our Online Racebook to place your bets on active racetracks. Mandaloun Finally Shows Up, Godolphin Unleashes Prevalence 2021 Kentucky Derby. Gambling online can be very safe as long as you work with a betting website that can be trusted to protect you. Our list of recommended Kentucky Derby betting sites showcased at the top of this guide.

1. Futures Betting On Kentucky Derby
2. Safe Betting On Kentucky Derby Contenders
3. Kentucky Derby Betting Picks
4. Safe Betting On Kentucky Derby Results

Some call it “the most exciting two minutes in sports.” Others claim its name is “the run for the roses.”

Either way, it is officially the Kentucky Derby and the first leg of US horse racing’s Triple Crown.

The race is run annually in Louisville, KY, on the first Saturday in May at the at legendary Churchill Downs Racetrack. But you don’t have to travel to Kentucky to get in on the betting action.

Where to bet on the Kentucky Derby in PA

In fact, there are six live horse racing facilities and eight off-track betting operations right here in Pennsylvania that are taking bets on the 145th running of the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, May 4.

Plus, there are five well-known horse racing mobile apps available in PA that allow you to place a bet on the race from the privacy of your home. These apps are:

• TwinSpires.com – Churchill Downs’ horse racing app and the official betting partner of the Kentucky Derby.
• TVG.com – The top horse race TV and online horse betting site in the country.
• BetAmerica.com – Another Churchill Downs’ horse racing app that also operates online sports betting and online casino products in New Jersey.
• DRF Bets (bets.drf.com) – The online betting platform of the Daily Racing Form.
• NYRABets.com – The New York Racing Association’s online wagering site.

The six live PA horse racing facilities that offer simulcast wagering on the Kentucky Derby and full-scale casino operations are:

• Harrah’s Philadelphia Casino & Racetrack in Chester
• Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course in Grantville
• The Meadows Racetrack & Casino in Washington
• Parx Casino and Racing in Bensalem
• Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs in Wilkes-Barre
• Presque Isle Downs & Casino in Erie

Of those, four also have attached PA retail sportsbooks. Presque Isle and Mohegan Sun are both in the process of launching sports betting.

Finally, each horse racing operation is authorized to offer simulcast wagering at state-approved PA off-track betting facilities.

These facilities are:

• Northeast Turf Club in Philadelphia’s Roosevelt Mall (Parx)
• South Philadelphia Turf Club on Packer Avenue in Philadelphia’s Stadium District (Parx)
• Valley Forge Turf Club near Valley Forge National Park (Parx)
• Lancaster OTW in Lancaster (Penn National Gaming)
• York OTW in York (Penn National Gaming)
• The Downs at East Stroudsburg in the Poconos (Mohegan Sun Pocono)
• The Downs at Lehigh Valley in Allentown (Mohegan Sun Pocono)
• Meadows Harmar on Anchor Drive in Pittsburgh’s Harmar Township (The Meadows)

How to bet on the Kentucky Derby

According to Churchill Downs, over $150 million is won by people betting on the Kentucky Derby every year. If you want to get in on that, it’s a good idea to learn a few horse racing betting basics first.

There are five basic ways to bet on any single horse race, including the Kentucky Derby.

Win bets

A “win” wager is exactly like it sounds. It’s a bet on a single horse to win the race. If the horse wins, you win, and you get paid based on odds set by the track.

Place bets

A “place” wager is a bet on one horse to finish either first or second. You win if the horse wins or finishes second. You get paid based on odds set by the track, but they’re sure to be smaller than the odds on the horse to win.

Show bets

A “show” wager is a bet on one horse to finish either first, second or third. You win if the horse wins or finishes second or third. You get paid based on odds set by the track, but they’re sure to be smaller than the odds on the horse to win or place.

Exacta bets

An “exacta” is a bet on two horses to finish first and second, in that order. You win if you exactly predict the winning sequence. The difficulty of picking two horses to win and place in exact order means exacta bets pay much bigger odds than most.

However, you can also “box” the wager, essentially betting on the same two horses to win and place in any order. This increases your chances of winning but also lowers your profit.

Trifecta bets

A “trifecta” is a bet on three horses to finish first, second, and third, in that exact order. You win if exactly what you predict to happen actually does. The difficulty of picking three horses to win, place, and show in exact order means trifecta bets pay the biggest odds of any basic bet.

However, you can also “box” the wager, essentially betting on the same three horses to win, place, and show in any order. Again, this increases your likelihood of winning, but also makes a bet more costly, lowering your potential profit.

Watching the Kentucky Derby in PA

The 2019 Kentucky Derby will air nationally on NBC. Coverage begins on May 4 at noon EST with the Kentucky Derby undercard airing on NBC Sports.

From 2:30 p.m. through 7:30 p.m. NBC takes over. Riders mount the horses at st after 6:30 p.m. and the 145th running of the Kentucky Derby is set to begin at 6:50 p.m. EST.

The NBC Sports Live website and NBC Sports app will also live stream the race. The app is available:

• iTunes App Store
• Google Play
• Amazon Fire TV
• Roku
• Box
• Samsung
• Microsoft

Additionally, TwinSpires.com, Churchill Downs’ horse racing app and the official betting partner of the Kentucky Derby, will host its own live stream online.

NBC Sports is available on DISH and DIRECTV in PA.

NBC affiliates in Pennsylvania include:

• Erie – WICU-TV 12
• Johnstown – WJAC-TV 6
• Lancaster – WGAL 8
• Philadelphia – WCAU 10
• Pittsburgh – WPXI 11
• Wilkes-Barre – WBRE-TV 28

The Kentucky Derby is the first leg of the American Triple Crown, followed by the Preakness Stakes (May 18) and the Belmont Stakes (June 8).

145th Kentucky Derby post positions and betting odds

Here is a look at this year’s Derby field.

With the original favorite, Omaha Beach, now a scratch, this is one of the more wide-open Derby’s in recent memory. With a chance of rain, look for horses that fare well in muddy conditions.

If you want to go with pedigree, the two Bob Baffert-trained horses, Roadster and Game Winner, seem to be the frontrunners, and for good reason. Baffert has trained a Derby-winning horse five times. With a win Saturday, he would tie the all-time record.

Last year’s winning jockey, Mike Smith, was set to ride Omaha Beach. However, the 2017 winning jockey, John R. Velazquez, will be in the race, riding Code of Honor. That horse is currently going off at 12-1.

Handicapping the KY Derby horses

1) Tacitus

After winning the Tampa Bay Derby and the Wood Memorial leading up to the Kentucky Derby, the Bill Mott-trained Tacitus comes in as one of the favorites opening at 6 to 1.

2) Vekoma

Vekoma won the 2019 Blue Grass Stakes heading into the Kentucky Derby. Trained by Louisville local George Weaver, Vekoma opened at 15 to 1.

3) Plus Que Parfait

Plus Que Parfait finished first in the UAE Derby, but Dubai-based horses have never done well in Kentucky. The Brendan Walsh-trained horse is a longshot to win opening at a lofty 50 to 1.

4) Roadster

Trainer Bob Baffert has compared Roadster to 2018 Triple Crown winner Justify. After surgery to correct a breathing problem, Roadster won the Santa Anita Derby this year and looks to be another Kentucky Derby favorite opening at 5 to 1.

5) By My Standards

The Bret Calhoun-trained By My Standards won at the Louisiana Derby on the path to the Kentucky Derby. However, horses from the Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans have not finished strong in Louisville. By My Standards opened at 20 to 1.

6) Maximum Security

Maximum Security is an undefeated horse coming off a wire-to-wire win in the Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park. Trained by Jason Servis, Maximum Security opened at 10 to 1.

7) Game Winner

The Bob Baffert-trained Game Winner finished second to 2019 Kentucky Derby favorites Roadster and Omaha Beach in consecutive Kentucky Derby prep races. However, the horse won the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile and division championship as a 2-year-old. Game Winner opened at 8 to 1.

8) Code of Honor

The Shug McGaughey-trained Code of Honor earned the points necessary for a Kentucky Derby berth finishing third in the Florida Derby. However, the horse did win the Fountain of Youth at Gulfstream Park and will open at the Kentucky Derby at 15 to 1.

9) Haikal

Haikal finished third in the Wood Memorial coming off a Gotham Stakes win at Aqueduct. The Kiaran McLaughlin-trained horse opens at 30 to 1.

10) Improbable

Improbable opens at 10 to 1 after two second-place finishes this year, the last one in the Arkansas Derby. The Bob Baffert-trained horse is possibly a threat to win and most definitely to place.

11) War of Will

War of Will opens at 20 to 1 coming off a ninth-place finish in the Louisiana Derby. However, Trainer Mark Casse had most pundits thinking War of Will was a Derby favorite before a bad start in that race. He won the Lecomte and Risen Star and the price is right.

12) Long Range Toddy

A sixth-place finish in the Arkansas Derby has the Steve Asmussen-trained Long Range Toddy opening at 30-1. However, he has four career victories, including a win over Improbable in the Rebel.

13) Tax

Tax finished second in the Wood Memorial. Trainer Danny Gargan has turned this one-time claiming horse into his first Derby starter, but not likely a contender. Tax opens at 30 to 1.

14) Cutting Humor

Cutting Humor is coming off a win at the Sunland Derby. However, the Todd Pletcher-trained horse opens at 30-1 with pundits giving Cutting Humor little chance of repeating that feat.

15) Win Win Win

Win Win Win probably won’t at the Kentucky Derby this year. Trainer Mike Trombetta got a win at Tampa Bay Downs in January, and a runner-up finish at the Blue Grass Stakes out of the horse. However, he never really challenged Vekoma in that race and will open at 30 to 1.

16) Country House

Country House will open at 30 to 1 after coming in third at the Arkansas Derby for trainer Bill Mott. Unless you believe the sloppy track at Oaklawn Park was to blame, Country House will not be a real factor in the 2019 Kentucky Derby.

17) Gray Magician

Gray Magician is a real longshot to win the 2019 Kentucky Derby opening at 50-1. This is the Peter Miller-trained horse that finished runner-up in the UAE Derby.

18) Spinoff

Spinoff is yet another horse that will open at 30 to 1 after a runner-up finish in his last race. Spinoff’s second came in the Louisiana Derby where the Todd Pletcher–trained horse gave up the lead down the stretch.

19) Master Fencer

Master Fencer is the Japanese invite to the race and will come in as the other true longshot opening at 50-1. Trained by former jockey Koichi Tsunoda, Master Fencer has never won a stakes race. Co-owner Katsumi Yoshizawa said he feels lucky just to be there and his biggest hope is that the horse returns home safely.

The 146th edition of the Kentucky Derby will be unlike any that came before it. Why? Because it will be held during a global pandemic. With that being said, the world’s most famous horse race is set for Saturday, September 5, 2020.

You may be an annual Kentucky Derby bettor or just someone who likes Mint Juleps. But if you’re planning on watching “The Run for the Roses,” or throwing a party, PlayUSA has some ideas to help make it memorable, safe, and perhaps, even profitable during COVID-19.

The Kentucky Derby has run consecutively each year since 1875 at the world-famous Churchill Downs racetrack in Louisville,Kentucky. Like the Masters golf tournament, it is an event heavily steeped in the traditions of a largely bygone era.

Derby parties–thrown at homes (à la the Oscars), restaurants and bars–are a common staple of the annual event. Signature Derby dress, food, and beverages are preordained through decades of repetition and reverence.

The 2020 Kentucky Derby field

The Kentucky Derby is, above all things, a horse race. But as mentioned, this year’s race will be different. Millions of people will be betting on the race, but zero will be in attendance.

To help slow the spread of COVID-19, Churchill Downs has decided to run the race without fans.

CDI issued the following statement:

“The health and safety of our team, fans, and participants is our highest concern. Churchill Downs has worked diligently over the last several months to plan a safe Derby with a limited number of spectators in attendance. We were confident in that plan, but dedicated to remaining flexible using the best and most reliable information available. With the current significant increases in COVID-19 cases in Louisville as well as across the region, we needed to again revisit our planning. We have made the difficult decision to hold this year’s Kentucky Derby on September 5 without fans.”

You can view the full statement here.

The decision was met with support from Gov. Andy Besher who said he applauds Churchill Downs for continuing to monitor the virus and for making the right and responsible decision.

“I am asking all Kentuckians to take action to stop the spread of the virus so we can get back to the many traditions we enjoy, like the Kentucky Derby,” Besher said.

Futures Betting On Kentucky Derby

Last year’s race ended in controversy when Maximum Security (10:1) was disqualified for interference, the first on-track disqualification in history.

Eventual winner, Country House (65-1), was not even on the radar.

The Run for the Roses may lack the fan experience of all previous years, but it will not diminish the achievements for all involved. Tiz the law comes it at the favorite but it’s been a couple of years since the favorite walked away as the winner.

Based on the name alone, Art Collector sounds like a great name for a winning thoroughbred.

Here are the top nine horses in terms of odds right now:

• Tiz the law 4:5
• Art Collector 6:1
• Honor A.P. 7:1
• Authentic 8:1
• Thousand Words 20:1
• King Guillermo 25:1
• NY Traffic 25:1
• Caracaro 28:1
• Dr. Post 30:1

The rest of the field is set at odds 25:1 or longer. The horse with the longest odds is Necker Island (200:1).

How to bet on the Kentucky Derby

There are several different ways to put a bet on the Kentucky Derby. First of all, residents in 32 states have the ability to place horse racing wagers through their mobile devices.

Companies that serve these states can vary. However, if possible, you should try to stick to one of these three sites to bet:

• BetAmerica
• Twin Spires

Both TVG and BetAmerica appear to be legal in all 32 states and are some of the best horse racing sites out there. Twin Spires (where available) maybe the most appropriate to bet the Derby since it is the online arm of Churchill Downs itself.

If you happen to reside in a state without online betting, or you prefer a live experience, it is possible to bet the Kentucky Derby from many horse tracks around the country. Many locations are simulcast facilities, and their tellers are perfectly capable of accepting wagers on the Run for the Roses.

Safe Betting On Kentucky Derby Contenders

Off-track betting facilities can also assist anyone who would like to bet on the Derby. The availability of these facilities varies on a state-by-state basis.

How to throw a Kentucky Derby Party during a pandemic

Invitations

In a traditional year, Kentucky Derby party invitations would be of high-quality stock, and, preferably not electronic if you want to stick with the nostalgic motif. While you can still take this route, invitations during a pandemic could easily be sent electronically.

You can still set a time for the party that will allow for plenty of pre-race celebration. Early afternoon is ideal. In keeping with tradition, just because the party is virtual doesn’t mean you have to skip dressing up.

Dress code

People dress for the Kentucky Derby as a sort of throwback to a more genteel time in the cultural South. So, proper attire requires a mixture of both formality and gaudiness.

The crown jewel, literally, of Kentucky Derby wear is the hat. A Kentucky Derby hat tends to be a wide-brimmed affair with some sort of over-the-top accessory adorning the band. Straw hats with bows or ribbon or fascinators work well.

Women typically wear these hats along with colorful patterned, ruffled or gingham dresses, or other floral garments. Men will usually wear suits, but some degree of gauche, preppy design is usually desirable (think seersucker, bowties, pastels, linen, bowler hats.) It’s definitely a time to be loud, bold, and over-the-top. In other words, foul fashion-wearing poker player John Hesp would feel right at home at the Derby.

Social distancing party or virtual party

If you’re playing it safe and opting to host your Kentucky Derby party online, you can do so via the many video conference apps out there.

• Zoom
• Skype
• Google
• FaceTime

Should you opt to have a few people in attendance be sure to follow they are either in your usual “pod” or stay at the recommended 6-foot social distancing guidelines courtesy of the CDC. To add another layer of virus protection, wear a mask for your event and have guests wear masks too. If you all want to give a nod to the Derby’s famed over-the-top style, wear a mask — but make it fashion.

Food and beverage

The Kentucky Derby may be the only sporting event with a well-known official beverage. The Mint Julep has been a staple at the race for decades, so having a Derby party without serving them/or drinking one, would be a cardinal sin.

For those who don’t know, a mint julep is a unique concoction of bourbon, mint, water, and sugar. Woodford Reserve bourbon is the official whiskey of the Derby, but any good bourbon will do. For that matter, bourbon is pretty good as-is. The recipe is also easy to make, and if you want to get extra fancy, serve them in official silver Julep cups.

Kentucky Derby Betting Picks

For food, you can’t go wrong with the authentic Kentucky dish called hot brown. Basically, a hot brown is an open-faced turkey and bacon sandwich covered in Mornay sauce or cheese. It was invented at the Brown Hotel in Louisville, hence the name.

For dessert, naturally, serve derby pie. Derby pie is a chocolate and walnut tart that is so famous, people go to court over its naming rights.

Failing all of the above, you can use dishes served on the grounds of Churchill Downs. The racetrack itself publishes the recipes for all different types of food cooked for guests there.

Safe Betting On Kentucky Derby Results

Above all else, the Derby is a time to have fun, even during a global pandemic. Dress up, get loud, and yell for your favorite horse. If you have guests over, be smart, be safe. If you opt to go the virtual route, that’s okay too. If you’re having trouble getting into the spirit, a couple of Julep’s should help.