Best Kentucky Derby betting sites in Canada
Pros
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Dozens of sports to bet on
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Dedicated sports betting app
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Specific esports promotions
Cons
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FAQs section is lacking
Payments
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Games: 1,500+
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Win Rate: 96.20%
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Payout Speed: 1-5 days
Pros
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Mobile apps for Android and iOS
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eSports betting markets
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24/7 live chat
Cons
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Poor VIP program
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Live chat only in English
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Not many payment methods
Payments






Pros
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Very modern sportsbook
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Low bonus wager requirement
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Personalized sports betting
Cons
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Promotions aren’t so regular
Payments






Pros
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Large sports betting selection
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Dedicated sports betting app
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Huge selection of promotions
Cons
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No live chat support
Payments






Pros
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Refer-a-friend bonus offer
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Stylish sportsbook design
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Separate racebook section
Cons
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Few esports betting options
Payments






Pros
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Leading sports odds
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Fast and easy to navigate
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Daily promos & free bets
Cons
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No live streaming available
Payments





Pros
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1,000 daily sports events
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Dedicated esports section
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24/7 customer support
Cons
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Limited VIP program
Payments






Pros
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Big variety of sports markets
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Award-winning mobile app
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Great sports betting promos
Cons
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Slightly confusing sports page
Payments






Pros
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Multiple live betting options
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Very appealing site design
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Quick payout times
Cons
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Deposit & withdrawal fees
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Customer support is not 24/7
Payments






Pros
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Free bets for sports events
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Large range of payment methods
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Fully licensed and reputable
Cons
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No horse racing betting
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How Kentucky Derby odds work
If you've never bet on the ponies before, then it's unlikely you'll know how Kentucky Derby horse racing odds work. We can change that by taking you through an example of typical Kentucky Derby horse odds:








Here's a fictional Kentucky Derby line-up featuring eight great race winners. Secretariat – holding the record for being the fastest horse in the race's history – is the shortest price of the runners and so is the favourite.
An C$8 bet on him wins C$13. That is a total return of C$21. Seattle Slew is next in line as the favourite, while Affirmed is the outsider with the biggest price. To get a total return of C$21 on Affirmed if he wins, all you have to do is stake C$1. That would be C$20 of profit.
For this example, we've used decimal odds. Some British and Irish sportsbooks may use fractional prices, while US sportsbooks will most likely use moneyline (American). If you want to learn more about how expressing odds compare, see our odds calculator below:
Popular Kentucky Derby bets
Ever heard of 'quinella', 'exacta' or 'trifecta'? They're just some of the Kentucky Derby betting terms you need to be aware of. Now you understand how betting odds work, it's important to read up on the different bet types, listed below:
Win bet
Betting on the horses can be very simple. You can back the horse you think will cross the finish line first. If you were to stake C$100 on the favourite, Secretariat, your profit would be C$163.

Place bet
You can also bet on a horse to finish first or second. The odds won't be as long as an outright win, but you still get a return if your pick is the runner up.

Show bet
A show bet is for a horse to finish first, second or third. If the horse finishes within any of these positions, you win the bet. Again, the price won't be as attractive as a straight win, but then again, the risk of losing is lower.

Across the board
As the name suggests, this is a combination of bets – in this case, you're betting on a horse to Win, Place and Show. If the horse wins, then you get the winnings from all three bets.
Exacta
An exacta bet, also known as a perfecta bet, allows you to bet on two horses in the same race, and nominate one to win and the other to finish second in that exact order.


Quinella
This is similar to an exacta bet, being two bets in one, except you don't have to specify the finishing order if you fancy two horses in the same race. Whichever order you put them in, your payout will be the same.


Trifecta
If you pick three horses out for a race, they can all go in one bet. A trifecta, often called a triactor in Canada, has a specific order to it.



Superfecta
Fancy a real challenge? Why not try and pick the first four horses past the post in the correct order? While this bet comes with much more risk, the rewards can be far greater.




Futures betting
Odds and Kentucky Derby odds to win can open shortly after the running of the previous Derby. You're likely to get a much better price should you bet early, but there are risks attached. If your chosen horse doesn't make it to the track at Churchill Downs, then it loses!

OGCA's Kentucky Derby betting tips
Before placing your bets on the Run for the Roses, have a read through these simple Kentucky Derby tips:
While there are no guarantees with horse race betting, it's worth noting that before the pandemic, the post-time favourite had won the Kentucky Derby six years in a row from 2014 to 2019. While the odds aren't quite as enticing, betting the favourite in recent years has proven to have a high success rate.
Horses that run on turf don't always perform as well on dirt, so remember that when considering who to back for the Kentucky Derby.
As it's a race for thoroughbreds and there may be precious little form to go on, a horse's breeding may give insight into their chances.
You'll find that there's often notable odds movement following the post draw, which usually takes place on the Tuesday before the race. This is because where a horse sits in the starting gate significantly impacts performance.
The best post position for delivering Derby winners is gate No. 10, while gate No. 17 is famously the worst, having yet to produce a winner.
Trends don't guarantee you'll pick the winner, but nor should they be ignored. There have been several trainers who have won the Kentucky Derby two or more times since 2010, as well as a few jockeys who've won multiple times since 2009.
Kentucky Derby stats & info
- Date of event: May 6, 2023
- Time: 4pm ET, with Race Post time at 6.44pm ET
- Location: Churchill Downs racetrack, Louisville, Kentucky, US
- How to watch: NBC, NBCSports.com, NBC Sports app (iOS and Android devices)
Kentucky Derby previous winners
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2021Mandaloun
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2020Authentic
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2019Country
House -
2018Justify
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2015American
Pharoah -
1978Affirmed
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1977Seattle
Slew -
1973Secretariat
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1948Citation
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1946Assault
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1943Count
Fleet -
1941Whirlaway
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1937War
Admiral -
1935Omaha
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1930Gallant
Fox -
1919Sir
Barton
More on horse racing
FAQs
The Kentucky Derby is the first leg of the American Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing. It's a dirt race over 10 furlongs at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. The race usually lasts around two minutes, hence why it's become known as 'the most exciting two minutes in sports'.
This Grade 1 event is open to three-year-olds only and is the best-known horse race in North America.