How to Bet the 2022 Kentucky Derby – Where to Make a Bet, What Time Does the Race Start, and How You Can Watch

• The Kentucky Derby runs on Saturday, May 7th with a 6:57 pm ET post time
• It’s the first leg of thoroughbred horse racing’s Triple Crown
• Everything you need to know to bet on the race is right here

It’s the 148th running of the Kentucky Derby going down at Churchill Downs on Saturday, May 7, 2021. The first leg of thoroughbred racing’s Triple Crown, the Derby has always been the jewel with the most lustrous sheen.

Every person involved in horse racing dreams of sending out a horse to Run for the Roses. When is the race? Who are the Kentucky Derby favorites? Where and how can you bet the big race? We answer this and everything else in this guide to Derby betting made easy.

2022 Kentucky Derby Picks

Odds as of May 4th at TVG

When Is the Kentucky Derby?

The Kentucky Derby will be contested on Saturday, May 7th. Post time for the race is 6:57 pm ET.

Where Is the Kentucky Derby Run?

Under the Twin Spires of Churchill Downs in Louisville is where the Kentucky Derby is contested.

A rainy morning at @ChurchillDowns sure did make for some cool photos. 🤩 pic.twitter.com/BVACEKDW1S

— Kentucky Derby (@KentuckyDerby) May 3, 2022

It’s known as the fastest two minutes in horse racing.

How Can I Watch the Kentucky Derby?

NBC is carrying the live broadcast of the race. It can also be live-streamed via fuboTV.

Another method for horseplayers to take in the video of the race is via the WatchTVG app. Along with full race events, the app also offers exclusive Kentucky Derby coverage such as Road to the Derby Prep race replays, Derby contender profiles, and expert handicapping tips and analysis.

Stop scrolling and just admire White Abarrio for a second. 😍 pic.twitter.com/sbV57DUjP7

— Kentucky Derby (@KentuckyDerby) May 4, 2022

The WatchTVG app can be downloaded on Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and Apple TV-connected devices and smart TVs. TVG account holders can log in for free.

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How Long is the Kentucky Derby?

The race’s current length of 1 1/4 miles (10 furlongs) was established in 1896. Secretariat set the Derby record in 1973, winning in a time of 1:59.4.

Jockey Ron Turcotte heads to the Winner's Circle at Churchill Downs after he rode Secretariat to a course-record victory in the 99th Kentucky Derby pic.twitter.com/y5eNrwV300

— Sports & Betting History by BestBettingSites (@CDCHistory) April 27, 2022

The weather forecast is calling for partly sunny skies with a high of 71 degrees and a 30% chance of thunderstorms. If the rain holds off, the track will be fast.

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What Kind of Bets Can I Make on the Kentucky Derby?

Here’s a primer on how to place a bet on the Kentucky Derby. The most common horse racing wagers are win, place, and show. You’re picking a horse to finish the race in first, second (place) or third (show).

A win bet is self-explanatory. The horse you play must win the race in order to cash.

A place bet cashes if your horse finishes first or second, while a show bet will be a winner as long as your horse hits the wire among the top three.

Post Positions for the 2022 Kentucky Derby.#KyDerby pic.twitter.com/TCuaiHrhF1

— Kentucky Derby (@KentuckyDerby) May 2, 2022

You can also bet across the board (combining win, place and show wagers on the same horse). Exactas (correctly combining the top two finishers in a race), trifectas (correctly combining the top three) finishers in a race and superfectas (correctly combining the top four finishers in a race).

You needn’t be at the race to wager on it. TVG is one of the best Derby racebooks to try.

Which Jockeys and Trainers Have Won the Most Kentucky Derbys?

Bob Baffert and Ben Jones share the mark for most Derby wins by a trainer (six). However, there will be no Baffert-trained winner this year with Baffert being suspended from the competition. Jockeys Eddie Arcaro and Bill Hartack each won a record five Derbys.

Kentucky derby 🌹🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/eV2YKQLTYX

— Berny MORALES (@BernyMorales13) May 2, 2022

This year’s field includes five jockeys who are past Derby winners. They include two-time champs John Velazquez (Messier) and Mike Smith (Taliba). Trainer D Wayne Lukas (Ethereal Road) is a four-time Derby winner. Todd Pletcher (Charge It, Pioneer of Medina, Mo Donegal) and Doug O’Neill (Happy Jack) have each sent out two Derby champions.

How Much Does a $2 Win, Place, Show Bet Pay?

That all depends upon the odds. A $2 win bet on a horse at odds of 2-1 would return $6 – $4 for the win and your $2 stake.

Barber Road just being….Barber Road🤪 pic.twitter.com/uhaFNqTrsm

— Kentucky Derby (@KentuckyDerby) May 3, 2022

Calculating place and show wagers will depend upon which other horses factor into those pools. The pari-mutuel payout pool on a place bet factors in two horses and the show pool takes into account three horses.

If those horses are all at lower odds, the price won’t be very high. However, if there are one or two longshots as part of the pool, that price will increase exponentially.

What Is a Exacta, Trifecta and Superfecta?

Exotic bets such as exactas, trifectas and superfectas are the parlay bets of horse racing. You can win a lot with minimal risk, but the odds are long that your bet will come in.

Lucky Number 7️⃣ pic.twitter.com/py5kvZ0lpJ

— Kentucky Derby (@KentuckyDerby) May 3, 2022

Wheeling or boxing a group of horses – combining them all to finish in any order among the top three – will cost more money, but does increase the chances of cashing a winning ticket.

Which Horses are Favored to Win the Kentucky Derby?

Zandon is the 3-1 favorite in the Kentucky Derby picks and predictions. Jockey Flavien Prat was aboard for Country House’s 2019 win and has hit the board with two of his past three Derby mounts.

Los 20 del Kentucky Derby pic.twitter.com/7PtosppTnB

— Javier I. Farache (@jfarache) May 3, 2022

Epicenter is set as the 7-2 second betting choice. Jockey Joel Rosario won the 2013 Derby with Orb.

Should I Bet Zandon to Win the Kentucky Derby?

Controversy has made itself at home in recent Derbys. Baffert’s Medina Spirit was disqualified last year following a positive drug test. Winner Mandalouin was 12-1. In 2019, Country House won at odds of 30-1 after Maximum Security was disqualified for interference.

However, between 2013-18, favorites won six straight Derbys.

You can see the recent form for Zandon and all the top Kentucky Derby contenders here.

Which Horse Will Win the Kentucky Derby?

Among the Kentucky Derby best bets is Pletcher’s Mo Donegal (10-1). He’s known for his late closing speed. He’s never missed the board in five career starts and has a Hall of Fame two-time Derby winner in trainer Pletcher.

Messier has arrived at @ChurchillDowns⤵️ pic.twitter.com/xRC5gw8MI9

— Kentucky Derby (@KentuckyDerby) May 1, 2022

Messier (8-1) is an intriguing option in the Kentucky Derby contenders. He’s been a top-three finisher in all six career starts. Baffert is his usual trainer, but his Churchill Downs suspension leaves Tim Yakteen to send the horse out.

Those seeking a price might want to go with Cyberknife (+2000). Florent Geroux, last year’s Derby winner with Mandalouin, is up. The horse has shown strong staying power at longer distances.

Where Can I Bet on the Kentucky Derby?

TVG is one of the best Kentucky Derby betting sites. Be sure to check them out for all your Kentucky Derby betting needs. TVG is currently offering odds for all the races leading up to Saturday, as well as odds for the Derby and winning jockey and trainer. Claim your $200 risk-free bet from TVG for new customers by clicking on the link below.

TVG is available to customers in the following states. AZ, AK, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, ID, IL, IN, IA, KY, LA, MD, MA, MN, MT, NE, NJ, NM, NY, ND, OH, OR, RI, SD, VT, VI, WA, WV and WY.