The Kentucky Derby is one of the top betting horse races of the year: with 20 horses, there’s no bigger field in American racing, and they all have high-level stakes experience. The Kentucky Derby happens Saturday, May 3 at Churchill Downs, and horses will run 1 ¼ miles for their share of a $5 million purse, a blanket of roses, and a place in horse racing history.
You can be a part of the Kentucky Derby betting action from anywhere in Florida, and you don’t want to miss it! With such a large field there are always live long shots, and making the right bet can net you a life-changing score.
Keep reading to find out the best bets for the 2025 edition of the Run for the Roses, and the best online racebooks for Kentucky Derby betting in California.
Though we’d all love to go out to Louisville for the Kentucky Derby, not all of us can fly out from California. The good news is, betting online means you can be a part of the action from anywhere! You have many choices for online racebooks, but you’re in the right place to make that decision easy. Our online racebook reviews help you make an educated and profitable choice quickly!
All the sites we recommend have the basics you need: market-leading odds, trusted payouts, and great user interfaces. Our reviews will also help you find the best racebook bonuses for your playing style including deposit and sign-up incentives, promotions, and even horse racing rebates that pay you for every bet you make.
Sign up for one of these racebooks today, and start reaping the rewards on Kentucky Derby day and beyond!
This is the official field for the 2025 Kentucky Derby including post positions, trainers, jockeys, and morning-line odds:
Baeza only gets into the Kentucky Derby if at least one horse scratches from the main field before 9:00 a.m. Friday morning, when Kentucky Derby betting begins.
The listed morning-line prices are a good guide to horses expected to take money or not, but they are not a guarantee of on-track odds. Those change all the way until post time. However, you do not have to wait until post time to know what price you’ll get on the Kentucky Derby winner!
That is because, if you bet online you can lock in the best price on the Kentucky Derby just by placing a bet. Then, you watch the Run for the Roses with full confidence of what you’ll cash when your horse wins!
These are the odds at the top of the Kentucky Derby market at the best California racebooks:
These are the top contenders for the 2025 Kentucky Derby:
Burnham Square is the best bet in the 2025 Kentucky Derby. He comes out of a win in the Blue Grass (G1) at Keeneland, a race with increasing recent importance. That day he ran down lone leader East Avenue, and even though that one set a fast pace, this time Burnham Square will get to run down a multi-way pace battle – all the better.
And, even though Burnham Square is likely to take advantage of a closing trip, he is versatile enough to sit a little closer to the pace then some of the deeper closers, giving him another out if he needs it. From a good middle gate and with Kentucky Derby-winning jockey Brian Hernandez aboard, the value is there.
Journalism shined all over California at ages two and three, and he is the Kentucky Derby favorite in every market that matters. He beat a deep contingent of prospects from the Golden State, showing up time and time again. He has the tactical speed to stay out of a pace battle. And, he handled a rough trip in the Santa Anita Derby (G1), meaning he is not only talented but able to overcome when things don’t go his way.
Sovereignty and Sandman are also liable to take action after strong prep seasons. Both can take advantage of the likely torrid early pace, a major point in their favor. Sovereignty is preferred between the two since he is a graded-stakes winner at Churchill Downs and Sandman still appears to have some growing up to do mentally, but both of these horses should make strong runs in the lane.
Chunk of Gold ran on for second in the Risen Star (G2) and the Louisiana Derby (G2), and should be able to take advantage of a hot pace in the Kentucky Derby once again. He has an interesting stamina pedigree, and even though jockey Jareth Loveberry flies under the radar, he rode Two Phil’s so well in the Derby two years ago to prove that he can show up when it matters.
Grande has just three races, but hall of famers (and Kentucky Derby winners) Todd Pletcher and John Velazquez are proof that he is in good hands. Grande is improving, and in the Wood he showed that he can run well from a closing style, not just a stalking style. Grande has a nice distance pedigree, he drew a good middle gate, and he can keep moving forward.
You know the best places to bet the Kentucky Derby online in California, and you know the key contenders for the Run for the Roses. Now it’s time for the most fun part of all: placing your bets!
These are the best bets for Saturday’s 2025 Kentucky Derby:
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