The best place to bet on Kentucky Derby odds is probably at Churchill Downs. Why not get in on the parimutuel party right at its epicenter?
Provided, of course, you can afford the travel and tickets to Louisville, Ky., on the first Saturday of May.
If not, then the second-best place is arguably from the palm of your hand. Right on cue, DraftKings announced Monday an expansion of DraftKings Racing, just ahead of Saturday’s 152nd Run for the Roses.
Kentucky Derby Betting
In 2023, DraftKings rolled out DK Horse, a standalone app specifically for betting on the ponies. DK Horse ultimately served 26 states.
However, on March 31, as part of the company’s broader vision for a Super App termed DraftKings Sports & Casino, DK announced DraftKings Racing will gradually replace DK Horse in each of those states, starting with Delaware, New Mexico and Rhode Island.
On Monday, with betting on Kentucky Derby odds about to ramp up, DraftKings Racing added six more states: Florida, Louisiana, Montana, New Hampshire, Ohio and Oregon. DraftKings Racing is integrated into the DraftKings Sportsbook app, allowing users one-stop shopping for horse racing and sports betting.
“DraftKings is committed to delivering the best fan experience across sports, and we’re proud to continue elevating that experience for horse racing with DraftKings Racing,” said Johnny Avello, director of race and sports operations for DK, in a Monday news release.
Seamless Experience
It’s no surprise that a team headed up by Avello would be at the forefront of such a product. Arguably, no one in the nation has more behind-the-counter experience with sports betting and horse racing than Avello.
He’s been in the business more than 40 years, and he’s a respected horse racing oddsmaker and avid fan of the sport. He’s eager to see the continued rollout of the product.
“DraftKings Racing is designed for speed and simplicity, offering a seamless and powerful way to engage with the sport’s biggest moments,” Avello said. “By integrating horse racing directly into the DraftKings Sportsbook app, customers can wager across sports in one place with a shared wallet, creating a more connected and streamlined experience.”
DraftKings Racing is a parimutuel betting platform, just as wagering is at the tracks and off-track betting sites. DraftKings Racing will continue rolling out on a state-by-state basis throughout 2026. DK Horse will remain as a standalone app in states where it currently operates, then will be phased out as the roll-out continues.
Along with Monday’s news, DraftKings also announced a $1 million King of the Track promotion for the Kentucky Derby. Customers can opt in, then place a qualifying straight bet ($5 or more) on which horse wins, utilizing either DraftKings Racing or DK Horse.
Customers who correctly pick the winner will get a share of the $1 million cash prize pool.
