Kentucky Derby 2020: Betting Odds, Picks & Predictions
The Kentucky Derby is the oldest continuously-running sports event in the United States, starting in 1875. It is a horse race held annually on the first Saturday of May at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky.
The Kentucky Derby is a top rank, Grade I stakes, one and one-quarter mile race around a dirt racetrack. Twenty horses compete every year, so not only is the field size larger, but the number of participants is more than doubled over the average for a horse race, where there are typically only eight horses participating.
Fondly referred to as ‘The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports,’ the Kentucky Derby is one of the most prestigious horse races in the world. It is the first race of the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing, followed by the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes races.
When is the Kentucky Derby in 2020?
The 146th Annual Kentucky Derby takes place on the first Saturday of May. That means that in 2020, the race takes place on May 2.
Who are the early favorites for the 2020 Kentucky Derby?
With over twenty horses to choose to root for, and a large, involved fan base, it’s hard to give an exact list of early favorites for the Kentucky Derby. Even experts and professionals seem to disagree on their top ten potential-qualifiers. Here, our experts give their top 3 contenders:
Lou Monaco, Writer & Racing Expert at Oddschecker
- Green Light Go
- Cezanne
- Maxfield
Sam Farley, Editor at Oddschecker
- Mo Hawk
- Independence Hall
- Dennis’ Moment
Pete Watt, PR at Oddschecker
- Independence Hall
- Dennis' Moment
- Green Light Go
Who won the 2019 Kentucky Derby?
The 2019 Kentucky Derby was won by Country House, who was bred by Joseph V. Shields Jr. Country House was trained by the Hall of Fame horse trainer William I. Mott and was ridden by Flavien Prat.
The 2019 Kentucky Derby was the first win of its kind for both Country Horse and Flavien Prat, but it wasn’t until after the race that they realized they won. They had finished second to Maximum Security, but it was ruled by officials that Maximum Security had made a move that eventually cost the horse its race.
After the disqualification of Maximum Security, the results were that Country Horse had won, followed by Code of Honor in second place and Tacitus, who was also trained by William Mott, finishing in third place.
Who are the most famous winners of the Kentucky Derby?
Three of the most famous winners of the Kentucky Derby are:
Donerail
The winner of the 1913 Kentucky Derby was Donerail, who overcame the longest shot of any winner at 91-1. Donerail and his jockey, Roscoe Goose, surged ahead at the end of the race to claim victory.
Secretariat
Secretariat was the winner of the 99th Kentucky Derby in 1973. This horse went on to win the Triple Crown, and still holds the Derby record at a time of 1:59:40.
American Pharoah
American Pharoah won the Triple Crown in 2015 and is most famously regarded for beating out Secretariat’s closing quarter-mile time. American Pharoah’s historic closing quarter time was an impressive 24.32 seconds.
What will likely be next for the 2020 Kentucky Derby winner?
After the Kentucky Derby is won, most horses continue to race, going on to try for the Triple Crown title. This was the case for American Pharoah, who went on to win the Grand Slam of Thoroughbred racing after winning all of the races for America’s Triple Crown as well as the Breeder’s Cup Classic in 2015.
Not everyone however, chooses the same option for their champion racer. Some horses and their jockeys retire, having achieved perhaps a lifelong dream.
Other horses become studs, where their owners will sell the right to breed to owners of an acceptable mare or mares to the champion stallion.
What are the most famous horse races?
The largest, most financially-important and celebrated horse races in the world are:
- Kentucky Derby
- Dubai World Cup
- Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe
- Breeder’s Cup Classic
- Epsom Derby
Arguably, the world’s best overall races are the three portions of the Triple Crown: the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes.
For daily racing picks and insight from the likes of Megan Devine, Lou Monaco and Andrew Champagne make sure to check out our racing section.