Skip to content

Ad Disclosure

Kentucky Derby Betting Apps & Promos (2024)

Ethan Stone

By Ethan Stone

Last Updated:

The 2024 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky is now set with a post time of 6:57 p.m. ET on Saturday, May 4. On this page you can find some of the best Kentucky Derby betting apps available to bet on the big race, as well as others on the schedule such as Preakness on May 18 and Belmont on June 8.

Best Apps to Bet on Kentucky Derby 2024

There are multiple ways to bet on the Kentucky Derby this upcoming weekend, but perhaps the best 2 options can be found right here: TwinSpires and FanDuel Racing. Click the links to sign up today!

TwinSpires

TwinSpires is owned and operated by Chuchill Downs and boasts 148 years of horse race betting experience. That is, TwinSpires is licensed in the USA for all your online horse racing needs.

The fun goes beyond the Kentucky Derby, too. TwinSpires offers users access to expert picks on the mobile and desktop versions of their app, which boasts a 4.8/5 with 68k ratings on the App Store. Did we mention that TwinSpires is the official partner of the Kentucky Derby?

A strong feature of TwinSpires is its live racing video and handicapping advice.

TwinSpires Sportsbook

BET THE KENTUCKY DERBY

GET THE APP
NEW USER OFFER
$400

BONUS OFFER

BET NOW

FanDuel Racing

FanDuel launched FanDuel Racing in 2020, adding to its already impressive portfolio that makes FanDuel a sports betting and DFS giant.

FD Racing’s app is also highly rated, sitting at 4.6/5 stars on the app store with 1.9k ratings. As with their sportsbook, FanDuel Racing has an incredible app layout that works for both mobile and desktop. It doesn’t quite have the helpful tips and walkthroughs that TwinSpires does, but its strong welcome bonus and easy-to-use, intuitive interface make up for it.

Similar to TwinSpires, FanDuel racing has options to watch the live streams of each race while also providing advanced stats and information about each contestant.

FanDuel Sportsbook

21+ and in participating states. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. $20 offer available in AR, AZ, CA, CO, DE, FL, ID, IL, IN, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MN, MT, ND, NH, NM, NY, OH, OR, PA, RI, SD, VA, WA, WV, WY

GET THE APP
21+ and present in a state with legal sports gaming. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
NO-SWEAT FIRST BET: $20 or $500

BET NOW

Kentucky Derby Betting Promos

Now, on to the promos. Check out the best welcome offers for TwinSpires and FanDuel Racing below.

FanDuel Racing

FanDuel racing’s promotion depends on your status with FanDuel sportsbook. If you have a FanDuel account you’re eligible for a $20 No-Sweat Derby Bet upon signing up today through this link. Users who do not have a FanDuel sportsbook account (aka, those in a non-sportsbook state) can snag a No-Sweat Bet up to $500 for Saturday’s stake.

The No-Sweat up to $20 offer is available until May 4 following the end of the Kentucky Derby, while the No-Sweat $500 offer is available through May 20.

Here’s how to sign up and take advantage:

  • Click here for FanDuel Racebook to sign up.
  • Place your first real-money wager on any race at any track on FanDuel Racing. If your first wager loses, get a refund as a Racing Credit up to $500 (or $20 if you already have a FD account.
FanDuel Sportsbook

21+ and in participating states. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. $20 offer available in AR, AZ, CA, CO, DE, FL, ID, IL, IN, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MN, MT, ND, NH, NM, NY, OH, OR, PA, RI, SD, VA, WA, WV, WY

GET THE APP
21+ and present in a state with legal sports gaming. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
NO-SWEAT FIRST BET: $20 or $500

BET NOW

TwinSpires

TwinSpires is offering new users a $400 sign-up bonus for creating an account today. The offer grants users $100 in bonus bets for every $400 wagered. So, to unlock the full $400 offer you’d need to wager $1600.

Here’s a helpful guide on how to sign up:

  • Click here to register on TwinSpires and complete registration. Make sure to enter code SDS to claim this offer.
  • Download the TwinSpires mobile app and make a deposit.
  • Begin betting on races. For every $400 wagered, $100 in bonus bets will be released into your account.

Let’s be honest here… this offer is for seasoned bettors on horse racing. And for those bettors, this is an excellent offer. For any new users, we’d like the split to be a little lower – perhaps every $100 bet you receive a $25 bonus bet and so on.

TwinSpires Sportsbook

BET THE KENTUCKY DERBY

GET THE APP
NEW USER OFFER
$400

BONUS OFFER

BET NOW

Types of Kentucky Derby Betting Types

You’re not alone if betting on horse racing seems daunting to you. If you have a background in sports betting or casino betting, you’d know there are many different ways to wager. For horse racing, it’s no different.

There are many ways to bet on horse racing with either of the 2 sportsbooks listed above, but they can be whittled down into a pair of categories: Standard and Exotic. Here’s a quick look at the types of bets that fall under those categories.

Standard (Straight) Bets

There are 3 standard or “Straight” bets: Win, Place and Show.

  • A “Win” bet is the simplest and most common bet found on the racetrack. You’re betting that your horse will win the race outright with this wager.
  • A “Place” is for your horse to finish either first or second in the race.
  • Can you guess what a “show” is? You’re likely spot on. A “Show” simply demands that your horse finish first, second or third in the race.

Exotic Bets

Exotic bets are a little different and can be broken down into a pair of categories: Horizontal and vertical.

Horizontal bets run from Daily Doubles to pick 3, 4, 5 and 6. Think of it as a parlay: Your goal is to pick the winning horse in 2, 3, 4, etc straight races. The higher the amount of races, the more payout you can hope to achieve.

Vertical bets require you to pick the exact finish in ONE specific race. Bets to pick the first and second place finishers for a race are called a Straight Exacta while first, second and third is called a straight Trifecta. Picking First, second, third and fourth is called a straight superfecta. As with Horizontal bets, the more you bet on, the better chance you have to win big and the bigger the risk.

Kentucky Derby Betting Strategies and Tips

If you’re on this page, there’s a solid chance you’re new to horse race betting. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when placing a bet on the Race of the Roses.

Keep an Eye on the Weather

This tip may not favor or hinder a specific horse, but it’s important to keep an eye on the weather before race day as it may have significant impacts on the condition of the track.

Racing Styles

Pacesetter – This horse is the quickest out of the gate and the early leader, but not necessarily the winner year in and year out.

Stalker – Always in the race, but not the fastest horse in the lineup.

Closer – The opposite of a pacesetter. This horse usually makes its push at the end of the race, no matter how many lengths back it may be.

Presser – These horses are often in striking distance in the early going.

Contenders for the 2024 Kentucky Derby

20 horses will race on May 4 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, with 2 other horses – Epic Ride and Mugatu – also eligible in the event of a scratch.

Here’s a look at the top 3 favorites for Saturday, plus the full odds as of April 30.

Fierceness

Fierceness, a Colt, is the current favorite at 5-2 under trainer Todd Pletcher and Jockey John Velazquez. His stake wins include the Florida Derby and 2023 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (2023)

Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone is a Colt under trainer Chad Brown and Jockey Tyler Gaffalione. His stake wins include the 2024 Blue Grass Stakes and 2024 Risen Star.

Catching Freedom

Another Colt, Catching Freedom has the 3rd best odds at 8-1 under trainer Brad Cox and Jockey Flavien Prat. His stake wins include the 2024 Louisiana Derby and 2024 Smarty Jones.

HorseOdds
Fierceness5-2
Sierra Leone3-1
Catching Freedom8-1
Forever Young10-1
Just a Touch10-1
Dornoch20-1
Mystik Dan20-1
Just Steel20-1
Honor Marie20-1
EncinoSCRATCH
Track Phantom20-1
Stronghold20-1
Resilience20-1
Catalytic30-1
TO Password30-1
Endlessly30-1
Domestic Product30-1
West Saratoga50-1
Grand Mo the First50-1
Society Man50-1
Epic Ride50-1
Ethan Stone

Ethan Stone is a Tennessee graduate and loves all things college football and college basketball. Firm believer in fouling while up 3.

2024 RANKINGS

presented by rankings
;

Read our Privacy Policy, Terms and Conditions, Cookie Policy and

© 2025 Saturday Down South. All rights reserved

We do not target any individuals under the age of 21. We support responsible gambling. If you feel like you're losing control over your gambling experience, call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, PA, WV), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-888- 532-3500(Virginia) 1-800-522-4700 (NV, TN), 1-800-522-4700 (CO, TN), 1-855-2CALLGA (IL), 1-800-270-7117 (MI). global.footer.legal