What Is the ‘Kentucky Derby’ in Sports?
This is one of the biggest and most famous events in all of sports.
It’s held every year on the first Saturday in May at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky.
Why It’s a Big Deal
The Kentucky Derby is a massive American cultural event, but in the sports world, it’s most famous for one thing: it’s the first leg of the coveted American Triple Crown.
The Triple Crown is a series of three races for three-year-old thoroughbred horses:
- The Kentucky Derby (the first race)
- The Preakness Stakes (the second race)
- The Belmont Stakes (the final race)
If a horse can win all three, it becomes a legend.
The Derby is also known by its famous nicknames, “The Run for the Roses” (because the winner is draped in a blanket of roses) and “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports.”
What Betting on the Derby Looks Like
When you see “Kentucky Derby” on a sportsbook, it’s the category for betting on that one race. The most popular bets are: