Kentucky Derby Odds: Mystik Dan Wins Thrilling Run for the Roses

Kentucky Derby odds are off the board following Mystik Dan's big win.

Robert Criscola - Contributor at Covers.com
Robert Criscola • Publishing Editor
May 5, 2024 • 15:20 ET • 5 min read
Churchill Downs Kentucky Derby horse racing Mystik Dan
Photo By - USA Today Sports

The road to the 2024 Kentucky Derby ended with a thrilling three-horse photo finish won by Mystik Dan. Sierra Leone and Forever Young were right at his throatlatch but couldn't get by in time.

Kentucky Derby odds for the seminal thoroughbred event at Churchill Downs — featuring the best three-year-olds in horse racing — are no longer on the board, but we'll have them here as soon as they begin taking shape for the 2025 race. In the meantime, check out our Triple Crown odds.

Kentucky Derby live odds

We'll have Kentucky Derby odds when they go live as well as Kentucky Derby post positions and analysis of all the Kentucky Derby horses.

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Who won the Kentucky Derby, and what were the odds?

Although the Kentucky Derby favorite dominated at Churchill Downs from 2013 to 2018, Country House won the Run for the Roses in 2019 as the second-biggest underdog in Derby history at 65/1. Just three years later, Rich Strike surpassed Country House when he won the "Run for the Roses" at 80/1.

Here are the winners of the Kentucky Derby since 2000, their post positions, and their final odds.

Year Kentucky Derby Winner Post Position Final Odds
2024 Mystik Dan 3 18/1
2023 Mage 8 14/1
2022 Rich Strike 20 80/1
2021 Medina Spirit 8 12/1
2020 Authentic 18 8/1
2019 Country House 20 65/1
2018 Justify 7 5/2
2017 Always Dreaming 5 9/2
2016 Nyquist 13 2/1
2015 American Pharoah 18 5/2
2014 California Chrome 5 5/2
2013 Orb 16 5/1
2012 I'll Have Another 19 15/1
2011 Animal Kingdom 16 20/1
2010 Super Saver 4 8/1
2009 Mine That Bird 8 50/1
2008 Big Brown 20 7/2
2007 Street Sense 7 9/2
2006 Barbaro 3 6/1
2005 Giacomo 10 50/1
2004 Smarty Jones 13 4/1
2003 Funny Cide 5 13/1
2002 War Emblem 5 41/2
2001 Monarchos 16 21/2
2000 Fusaichi Pegasus 15 9/5

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Where can I bet on the Kentucky Derby?

Several legal horse racing betting sites allow you to wager on the Kentucky Derby, but not every sportsbook is allowed to offer Derby odds. We have created a guide outlining the best Kentucky Derby betting sites available in your area.

Which states have legal betting on the Kentucky Derby?

While sports bettors can enjoy some form of online or retail wagering in 34 states (+ DC), horse racing enthusiasts have even more legal options. Refer to our list of legal states for betting on horse racing to see if horse race betting is legal in your state via the FanDuel Racing app.

Canada (excluding Ontario)

Almost all sports betting sites offer fixed-odds betting on horse racing. Check out the best sports betting sites in Canada or sign up now with one of our top partners, bet365, and earn up to $200 in bet credits!

Ontario

Following the changes to the iGaming regulations on April 4, 2022, horse racing betting is no longer available at sportsbooks. Those in Ontario who are looking to bet on the Kentucky Derby will need to sign up at one of Woodbine's two online offerings, HPIbet and Dark Horse Bets.

How are Kentucky Derby rankings determined?

Kentucky Derby rankings are determined by a points system that assigns a point value to each of the designated prep races leading up to the Kentucky Derby during the first Saturday of May. The system is designed to reward the top performers in the most important races, while also taking into account the overall consistency and success of each horse throughout the season.

The horses with the most points at the end of qualifying are guaranteed a spot in the Kentucky Derby starting gate, with the remaining spots filled by horses with the next highest point totals. In the event of a tie in points, the horse with the highest earnings in graded stakes races will be given preference.

The Kentucky Derby rankings are updated weekly leading up to the race as new prep races are run and points are awarded, so the rankings can change quite a bit over the course of the qualifying season.

How are Kentucky Derby odds made?

Kentucky Derby odds are based on a horse's past performance, jockey and trainer success, and public perception. The odds are determined by an oddsmaker that works for the track or an off-track betting facility, and their goal is to set odds in a way that will balance the amount of money bet on each horse, so that the track or betting facility will make a profit regardless of which horse wins.

Here's how the odds-making process typically works:

1. The oddsmakers start by analyzing each horse's past performance, looking at factors such as speed figures, finishing times, and previous wins and losses.

2. They consider the jockey and trainer, looking at their track records and success rates in past races.

3. The oddsmakers take into account any recent news or changes that may affect a horse's performance, such as injuries, equipment changes, or changes in the track conditions.

4. The oddsmakers look at the public's perception of each horse, considering factors such as media coverage, social media buzz, and the horse's popularity with fans.

Based on all of these factors, the oddsmakers assign each horse a morning line, which is the initial set of odds that are released to the public before the race.

Once the betting starts, the odds will fluctuate based on how much money is bet on each horse. If a lot of money is bet on a particular horse, the odds will go down, while if considerably less money is bet on a horse, the odds will go up.

Kentucky Derby odds are designed to reflect the public's perception of each horse's chances of winning, while also ensuring that the track or betting facility makes a profit regardless of the outcome.

What are the different types of horse racing bets for the Kentucky Derby?

Here are some of the most common types of horse racing bets available at Churchill Downs and beyond:

Win: This is a simple bet on which horse will win the race. If your horse finishes first, you win the bet.

Place: This is a bet on which horse will finish in second place or better. If your horse finishes first or second, you win the bet.

Show: This is a bet on which horse will finish in third place or better. If your horse finishes first, second, or third, you win the bet.

Exacta: This is a bet on which horses will finish first and second in the correct order. If you correctly predict the first and second place finishers, you win the bet.

Quinella: This is a bet on which horses will finish first and second, regardless of the order. If you correctly predict the first and second place finishers, you win the bet.

Trifecta: This is a bet on which horses will finish first, second, and third in the correct order. If you correctly predict the first, second, and third place finishers in the correct order, you win the bet.

Superfecta: This is a bet on which horses will finish first, second, third, and fourth in the correct order. If you correctly predict the first, second, third, and fourth place finishers in the correct order, you win the bet.

Daily Double: This is a bet on which horses will win two consecutive races. You must correctly predict the winner of both races to win the bet.

Pick 3, Pick 4, Pick 5, or Pick 6: These are bets on which horses will win three, four, five, or six consecutive races, respectively. You must correctly predict the winner of each race to win the bet.

Future Bet: This is a bet on a future event, such as the winner of the Kentucky Derby or Breeders' Cup Classic. The odds for this type of bet are usually set well in advance of the race, and can change as the race approaches.

It's important to understand the rules and potential payouts for each type of bet before placing your wager.

Kentucky Derby odds FAQs

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Robert Criscola - Covers.com
Publishing Editor

Robert M. Criscola’s road to becoming a Covers publishing editor began with an internship at Metro New York, which eventually turned into a freelance job at MetroBet covering many sports from a wagering angle, including horse racing. He continued to focus on “The Sport of Kings” by writing for shapperdacapper.com, danonymousracing.com, and informer.fanxt.com before joining the team at the TwinSpires Edge in 2019 as a regular contributor and weekend editor. “Crisco” began writing game previews for Covers in 2022 and joined the editing team in 2023.

His best advice for sports bettors? Bet with your head, not over it.

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