Betting

How to Bet on the Kentucky Derby With BetMGM

02 May 2026, 19:33 · FOX Sports

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The Kentucky Derby is where split-second decisions turn into life-changing wins. For two minutes at Churchill Downs, the field becomes chaos and opportunity all at once—where the right horse, at the right price, can cash a ticket that outpaces everything else on the board. When the gates open, it’s not just about watching history—it’s about picking it correctly before the rest of the field disappears down the stretch.

Can I bet on the Kentucky Derby with BetMGM?

You can bet on the Kentucky Derby through BetMGM in two ways: the BetMGM Sportsbook or the BetMGM Horse Racing platform.

The Horse Racing platform does not offer a welcome bonus, while the BetMGM Sportsbook offers new users the ability to unlock up to $1,500 in Bonus Bets with the bonus code FOXSPORTS.

BetMGM Horse Racing is a separate app and platform built specifically for racing, where users can bet directly on Churchill Downs and other major tracks. It supports standard wagers like win, place, and show, along with exotic bets such as exactas and trifectas.

However, availability is limited. BetMGM Racing is currently only offered in Florida, Louisiana, and Ohio, and users must be at least 21 years old to participate.

Both platforms let you fund a single BetMGM account, but they operate separately when it comes to promos and betting eligibility.

How to get started

Create an account on horseracing.betmgm.com or download the BetMGM Horse Racing app on iOS or Android. Complete the verification and set up.

Once your account is set up and funded, choose the Churchill Downs track, select the Kentucky Derby, and start building your wagers. Whether you’re backing a single horse to win or exploring exotic bets like exactas, trifectas, or superfectas, BetMGM gives you plenty of ways to play the board.

How to claim the BetMGM Sportsbook New User Offer

Click here. This will take you directly to the BetMGM app or website and automatically apply the promo code.
Select Sign Up and create a new account by entering personal details (name, email, date of birth, address, and last 4 digits of SSN).
When prompted, enter the promo code FOXSPORTS to ensure the offer is applied.
Make your first deposit of at least $10 using an accepted payment method (PayPal, Venmo, debit card, online banking, etc.).
Place your first real-money wager on any eligible sport:
If claiming the $1,500 First Bet Offer → refund is triggered only if the first bet loses.
If claiming the $10/$150 Alt Offer → the bet must win to receive the $150 bonus bets.
Bonus bets are credited to your account within 24 hours once the qualifying bet settles.

What makes BetMGM Horse Racing different?

BetMGM Horse Racing is designed specifically for pari-mutuel wagering, meaning odds can shift right up until post time depending on how the betting pool moves. That creates a dynamic, constantly changing betting landscape—very different from fixed-odds sportsbooks.

The platform also covers over 200 racetracks and major events year-round, giving users access to some of the biggest races in the sport, not just the Derby.

If you want a dedicated racing experience built around live betting, shifting odds, and full Derby coverage, BetMGM Horse Racing delivers a focused way to get involved. It’s a different style of betting—but on Kentucky Derby day, that unpredictability is exactly what makes it exciting.

Types of bets for the Kentucky Derby

Here are the different types of bets you can make with BetMGM:

Win bet: This is your straight bet on the winner of the race.
Place bet: Pick a horse to finish within the top two of the race.
Show bet: Pick a horse to finish in the top three of the race.
Exacta: Bet on the exact order of the top two finishers.
Trifecta: Bet on the exact order of the top three finishers.
Superfecta: Bet on the exact order of the top four finishers.

BetMGM Kentucky Derby odds

BetMGM has not posted their own odds yet. These odds are from kentuckyderby.com.

Renegade: 5-1
Albus: 47-1
Intrepido: 55-1
Litmus Test: 41-1
Right to Party: 31-1
Commandment: 8-1
Danon Bourbon: 13-1
So Happy: 6-1
Wonder Dean: 19-1
Incredibolt: 37-1
Chief Wallabee: 14-1
Potente: 28-1
Emerging Market: 13-1
Pavlovian: 50-1
Six Speed: 46-1
Further Ado: 7-1
Golden Tempo: 50-1
Fulleffort: 19-1
Great White: 96-1

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