How Much Money Is Bet On Kentucky Derby

  1. How Much Money Is Bet On Kentucky Derby Results
  2. How Much Money Is Bet On Kentucky Derby Betting
  3. How Much Money Is Bet On Kentucky Derby Race

The Kentucky Derby is a special event that happens each year at Churchill Downs. Even those that aren’t horse racing fanatics fill inclined to not only watch but wager on this big event.

How Much Money Is Bet On Kentucky Derby

How Much Money Is Bet on the Kentucky Derby? On Derby Day in 1908, the crowd bet a total of $67,570, including $18,300 on the Derby race itself. In 1984, fans broke the North American record for betting on a single horse race, wagering nearly $19 million on the Derby. At Churchill Downs on May 1, the 147th running of the historic Kentucky Derby will take place. This is your Kentucky Derby reference page, examining the history, New York horse betting options, the road to the Derby and handicapping variables for the Fastest Two Minutes in Sports. The Kentucky Derby, dating back to 1875, assembles 20 of the nation’s top 3-year-old thoroughbreds.

I found myself wondering just how much money was being wagered. What I found was staggering, considering we’re talking about something that lasts a mere 2 minutes.

Gamblers across the nation placed just over $6.2 million in bets on the 9-2 race favorite to win the Kentucky Derby, according to statistics provided by a spokesman for the online horse racing site. Here’s how the 2019 Kentucky Derby prize money breaks down:. $1.86 million for the Kentucky Derby winner. $600,000 for the Kentucky Derby runner-up. $300,000 for third place. $150,000 for fourth place. $90,000 for fifth place. Make sure you bet on the Kentucky Derby. That's because betting on the Kentucky Derby is a great way to get a good return on investment. Here, are the best online horse racing betting sites, based on research: Bovada Intertops BetOnline MyBookie SportsBetting.ag.

How Much was Wagered on the Kentucky Derby & Attendance This Year

Last year was another record breaking year for the amount of money wagered on the Kentucky Derby. In 2018, there was $227.5 million bet on the entire race card from all-sources. Smashing the previous mark set just a year ago in 2017 of $209.2 million.

As far as the actual race itself, there was $149.9 million bet across all-sources. Another new record, beating the 2017 mark of $139.2 million.

How Much Money Is Bet On Kentucky Derby

While the money bet reached new limits, attendance numbers were down again. Only 157,813 showed up, but a lot of that was due to the poor conditions. While the number of attendees was only down slightly from the 158,070 that attended in 2017, it’s a far cry from the 170,513 that were at the big event in 2015.

I’ve put together a table that looks back at the betting history. As you can see, the cash intake on this has grown dramatically in the last two decades. There was just $140.4 million bet on the entire card back in 2003 and that’s about as much as what we now get on just the final race.

It’s important to keep in mind the numbers below don’t reflect the entire picture. The amounts are only for the money taken on North American racetracks.

It does not include figures from sportsbooks online or Las Vegas. It’s been reported that Vegas sportsbooks take in about an average of $33 million per month. There average take home in May is roughly $11 million more at $44 million. As for the online books, they were estimated to take in $26.8 million on the entire program in 2016. With around $16.6 million on the main event.

If you are considering wagering on this historic event this year or in the future, be sure to check out our Derby guide.

Churchill Downs Betting History – How Much Money Gets Bet on the Race

How Much Money Is Bet On Kentucky Derby Results

YearAttendanceOn-Track ProgramOn-Track RaceAll Sources ProgramAll Sources Race
2018157,813$39.2$24.6$227.5$149.9
2017158,070$32.8$20.1$209.2$139.2
2016167,227$23.5$11.3$192.6$124.7
2015170,513$23.0$12.0$194.3$137.9
2014164,906$23.4$11.9$186.6$129.2
2013151,616$21.1$11.5$184.6$130.5
2012165,307$23.7$12.3$187.0$133.1
2011164,858$23.4$11.5$165.2$112.0
2010155,804$21.5$11.1$162.7$112.7
2009153,563$21.1$10.2$156.0$104.6
2008157,770$24.2$12.1$164.7$114.6
2007156,635$24.1$12.1$168.1$118.3
2006157,536$24.5$12.1$175.1$106.2
2005156,435$22.8$10.1$155.8$103.3
2004140,054$19.2$9.5$142.8$99.3
2003148,530$20.6$9.1$140.4$88.0

Related Articles

Sept. 5 (UPI) -- How can a $2 bettor make any money on the Kentucky Derby when Tiz the Law is likely to go to the post as a heavy odds-on favorite?

It's always fun to win but who wants a $3 -- or less -- return on a $2 win ticket? Big races like this should be hit for a lot more.

Advertisement

Well, there are a couple ways to look at it. One would be to decide Tiz the Law really might not win. That would be a risky proposition, based on the available evidence.

'It's a little daunting being the 3-5 favorite in the Kentucky Derby, but I think he's earned it,' Jack Knowlton, head of the Sackatoga Stables' ownership group, said Thursday morning on the Churchill Downs backstretch.

He's right. So let's look for another approach.

Even if Tiz the Law wins by the length of the stretch, there could be a reasonable return on a trifecta or exacta ticket if a long shot (or two) finishes in the top three. This being the Kentucky Derby, that's not unlikely.

But where to look for those lucky long shots?

Santa Anita Derby winner Honor A.P. certainly won' be a really long shot. He's the 5-1 second pick on the morning line. But if he actually starts at that price and he's the most likely to win if the favorite falters, let's get him on the ticket!

Trainer Bob Baffert has two colts in the race as he seeks a record-tying sixth Derby win. The better-regarded of the two is Authentic but, despite Baffert's protestations, its debatable he will stay the 1 1/4 miles.

The other Baffert entry, Thousand Words, looks like he's improving at the right time and will be a square price.

Ny Traffic is the colt who almost caught Authentic in the Haskell. He has been moving in the right direction and might benefit from the additional distance. He doesn't win often, but hasn't missed a top-three finish in any of his five starts this year.

How Much Money Is Bet On Kentucky Derby Betting

So, let's try a $1 trifecta box with Tiz the Law (17), Honor A.P. (16), Thousand Words (10) and Ny Traffic (15). That will cost $24. If Tiz the Law wins and Honor A.P. is second, it won't pay much. But there's the potential for a decent payoff if some other combination finishes 1-2-3.

Another thought: If Tiz the Law is a lock to win, how about a superfecta bet with him on top? A 10-cent superfecta with a single to win and six horses boxed underneath only costs $12. If some bombers finish second through fourth, kaching! Well, a muted kaching! It's only a 10-cent wager.

For that, consider the aforementioned Authentic (18), deep closer Enforceable (3), who could pick up some pieces from a hot early pace, and Max Player (2), who was third behind Tiz the Law in both the Belmont and the Travers.

How Much Money Is Bet On Kentucky Derby Race

The most important consideration here: Never bet more than you're willing to lose.