There is a wealth of information available online to help you handicap and wager on. I’ve put together my own personal betting guide for the Kentucky Derby below. Jan 31, 2021 Two more 2021 Kentucky Derby prep races give us three new names in the top 10 on the points leaderboard. Medina Spirit's win in the Grade 3 Robert B. Lewis at Santa Anita vaulted him to No. 4 on the list, with 14 points. The win gives trainer Bob Baffert two in the top 10; Spielberg has 13 points after a fourth-place finish in the Robert B. 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. The 10-furlong Kentucky Derby is the most famous – and most wagered on – horse race in not only America, but the entire world. Legal online horse betting always sees its highest yearly handle for the Kentucky Derby, which is also the sport’s biggest spectator event.

The thing that makes the Kentucky Derby great is that you never know exactly how the race is going to unfold over 1 1/4-miles at Churchill Downs, with 18 horses expected to be loaded into the starting game on Saturday.

But what are the odds that the top three choices in the morning line odds would end up drawing the three outside post positions.

That means favored Tiz the Law (saddle No. 17), second choice Honor A.P (16) and speedster Authentic (18) could have their fate determined over the first two furlongs, as field barrells towards the first turn.

The Kentucky Derby will be broadcast live on NBC from 2:30-7:30 p.m., with post time set for 6:50 p.m.

Related: Kentucky Derby post positions, morning line, info

Here are the selections from our expert panel:

2020 Kentucky Derby Field

Horse (Jockey) morning line

1. Finnick the Fierce (Garcia) 50-1

2. Max Player (Santana) 30-1

3. Enforceable (Beschizza) 30-1

4. Storm the Court (Leparoux) 50-1

5. Major Fed (Graham) 50-1

6. King Guillermo (Camacho) scratched

7. Money Moves (Castellano) 30-1

8. South Bend (Gaffalione) 50-1

9. Mr. Big News (G.Saez) 50-1

10. Thousand Words (Geroux) 15-1

11. Necker Island (Mena) 50-1

12. Sole Volante (Panici) 30-1

13. Attachment Rate (Talamo) 50-1

14. Winning Impression (Rocco Jr.) 50-1

15. Ny Traffic (Lopez) 20-1

16. Honor A.P. (Smith) 5-1

17. Tiz the Law (Franco) 3/5

18. Authentic (Velazquez) 8-1

Sean Nolan (15-time National Horseplayers Championship qualifier, 2001 runnerup, four Top 20 finishes)

1. Tiz the Law: No value here as the odds-on favorite but there is no legitimate reason to pick against him. He drew the 17 post (now post 16 with scratch of King Guillermo), which will give Manny Franco the option to pick what flight he wants to be in when they hit the first turn. The classy colt should be able to relax outside the speed and expect him to open up as the field turns for home. On to the Preakness and Breeder’s Cup Classic!

2. Thousand Words: Really coming into his own now and his loping stride should help him negotiate the 1¼ miles without much problem. Baffert knows how to prepare them for the big races. Expect Geroux will put him in the race right off the bat. Offers some value with a Tiz the Law exacta.

3. Ny Traffic: Has the knack to get involved early and hang around. He has a series of 5 furlong works that says he is still on edge and he likes the Churchill Downs oval. A logical exotics play.

4. Necker Island is my choice of several plodders to pick up the pieces. Taking the blinkers off should help him relax and get the extra 1/8 of a mile.

Bob Jordan, USA TODAY NETWORK Atlantic Group Sports Deputy Director

1. Authentic: Won the Haskell at Monmouth Park but it didn't feel like a win. He was up by 2 1/2 lengths passing the furlong pole but jockey Mike Smith had to frantically urge Authentic after letting him breeze to deep stretch. Smith, who said Authentic “sees things” and was distracted by shadows, has landed on another mount here but that's due to a prior agreement so shouldn't be seen as a lack of endorsement. All said, this is a pretty good horse with a ridiculous post draw who's going to be in the range of 15-1 odds. He had his final workout Sunday - covering six furlongs in 1:12.40 at Del Mar - and trainer Bob Baffert said, “Authentic is really doing well. I see him turning the corner.”

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2. Max Player: This is the horse that was taken away from trainer Linda Rice and turned over to Steve Asmussen, despite running third in both the Belmont Stakes and Travers, and despite Asmussen having an 0 for 20 record in the Run for the Roses. To be truthful Max Player at no point in either the Belmont or Travers looked like a winner but he just keeps plugging away, a trait that is good to have in the Derby.

3. Tiz the Law: America's horse will be one of the heaviest Derby favorites in years but has rarely faced adversity, the exception being on this racetrack when he finished out his 2019 season in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes. That didn't go well. On sloppy footing, Tiz the Law failed to accelerate after being trapped briefly in a pocket position. Reasonable to take a stand against the Belmont Stakes winner in the return visit to Churchill.

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Steve Edelson, USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey sports columnist/racing writer

1. Tiz the Law: The late defection of Art Collector, expected to be the second choice, is big for Tiz the Law. Art Collector was a legitimate threat here. With 103 and 102 Beyer Speed Figures over the last two wins, Art Collector could have been there at the wire if Tiz the Law had a troubled trip. Now Tiz the Law, with a dazzling 109 Beyer in the Travers, has one less top contender to deal with. The formula has been the same all year: Sit just off the speed and then take over with a powerful late run. He'll have to break well, however, from the wide post if he wants to be the first ever to win from that post position.

2. Authentic: Look for the plan to be the same with John Velazquez in the saddle as it was when Mike Smith rode in the Haskell. If Authentic can get to the front, and they will be forced to go by the far outside post position, they’ll try to go wire-to-wire. That worked at nine furlongs, but likely won’t at 10 furlongs. Authentic will dig in gamely, but won’t be able to hold off Tiz the Law.

3. Max Player: So who gets up for third to complete the trifecta? In the Belmont Stakes and the Travers Stakes it was Max Player, who will once again be charging from the back of the field. Gives a great effort every time, never worse than third in five career starts. Goes from Linda Rice’s barn to Steve Asmussen’s for the Derby.

Steven Falk, Asbury Park Press Sports Writer.

1. Honor A.P.: A horse who should love the 1 1/4 mile distance. He has been working very well at Del Mar with Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith aboard for his last three works. He was very impressive in pulling away from Authentic in the Santa Anita Derby on June 6 and earned a 102 Beyer Speed Figure. He was defeated at 1-5 in the Shared Belief at Del Mar on Aug. 1, but that had all the makings of a horse who was not fully cranked and was prepping for this. Yet, he still earned a 102 Beyer Speed Figure even though he clearly only ran in spots. It was a means to an end.

2. Tiz The Law: If he runs anything close to the 109 Beyer Speed Figure he put up in demolishing the field in the Travers Stakes at Saratoga on Aug. 8, the rest of this field is running for second. That Beyer Speed Figure would make him tough in the Breeders' Cup Classic. He is 3-5 on the morning line because he has clearly shown he is the best horse among this group. However, the best horse does not always win, and if he drops a few points on the Beyer, maybe he is vulnerable. Nobody should leave him off any exacta, trifecta, superfecta or multi-race tickets.

3. Max Player:I hope we get something close to 30-1 on the morning line so the trifecta can be spiced up a little bit. But, I doubt, we will get that price. Even 20-1 will be nice. This grinder is the type of horse who hits the board in the Derby a lot at a decent number. His Beyer Speed Figures have gone up every time. Another forward move gets him on the board.

Greg Giombarrese, Lakewood BlueClaws Director of Communications

1. Honor A.P.: If someone is to upset Tiz the Law, they are going to have to move forward on Saturday and Honor AP can do that as he stretches out to 10 furlongs for the first time. He will relish the added distance of this race, stretching out from a 8.5 furlong prep at Del Mar which was purely a tune-up and in which he was against the race flow. He ran very well, matching his best speed figure earned in the Santa Anita Derby two-back in which he punched his ticket to this spot. He's sitting on a career-best race, and if Tiz the Law doesn't replicate his dominant Travers, Honor AP can beat him at a fair price.

2. Tiz the Law: He will be a heavy favorite, and deserves to be, after a romp in the Travers in which he earned a field-best 109 Beyer Speed Figure. He fires every time, has a dominant win at the distance, and comes from a barn that won this race with a fellow NY-bred, Funny Cide, 17 years ago. He'll also be one of the shortest priced Derby favorites in history and while he is the horse to beat, Honor AP can beat him, though we're not sure anyone else in here can.

3. Enforceable: He's been caught in a series of races where the race flows made it tough to make up ground. The top two in his last race are better than anyone in here outside of the top two, and he stretches out to 10 furlongs, which should help him. He can hit the board at a big price.

Ken Jordan (five times among top finishers at NTRA/National Horseplayers Championship, four Top 10s at Horseplayers World Series)

1.Tiz the Law: The most-accomplished runner in here and a well-deserved favorite (though unbettable in the win pool at 3/5). His Travers gave the impression that there is still more to give. All of the racing world hoping he is the last Derby starter to come into the race off a win at 1 1/4 miles.

2. Authentic: It seems everyone is convinced that his Haskell stretch jog will prevent him from winning Derby. Respect his speed and connections.

3. Attachment Rate: Longshot has flashed talent that has been effectively hidden by overconfident rides, traffic, and wide trips. A must use in all exotic slots.

4. NY Traffic: Knocking at the door against some tough ones while improving speed figures equals a great chance to hit the board.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Kentucky Derby 2020: Betting guide and predictions; Can Tiz the Law win from wide post?

Twinspires

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. It’s also called The Run for the Roses as a nod to the garland of 554 red roses draped over the winner.

This event is the first jewel in racing’s Triple Crown, followed by the Preakness Stakes (May 15) and the Belmont Stakes (June 5).

The Derby is thoroughbred racing’s signature showcase, although its $3 million purse has been eclipsed by some Breeders’ Cup races in the fall. This event has brought the sport a rich national and international audience.

Pre-COVID-19, the Derby routinely packed more than 150,000 fans into Churchill Downs. The all-time record was more than 170,000 in 2015. Those days will return at some point.

In the meantime, the proliferation of mobile betting and media attention keeps the Derby in the limelight.

Best Kentucky Derby betting app in New York

Kentucky Derby Betting Picks

How to bet on the Kentucky Derby in NY

COVID-19 regulations will determine whether New York tracks will allow spectators. If they do, residents can wager at those facilities on Derby Day. They include:

There’s also the border consideration for New Yorkers living close to New Jersey. Many bettors cross state lines, wager in the Garden State and return home. Some have made the trip on bicycles.

Another option is the TVG horse betting app.

Betting on the Kentucky Derby via TVG

The TVG app offers several features.

Tap “Live” and you can stream both the TVG Networks in HD, handicap and bet all on the same screen. Tap the track and race number to navigate upcoming races on the applicable network.

Other aspects include a complete redesign to put upcoming races and results in one spot. You can now filter by breed or region. Plus, get to the race you want faster with the “Up Next” slider and improved favorite tracks prominence.

On a race page, use the arrows to toggle between races or tap the drop-down, which gives you race condition info. In My Bets, tap the track to go back to the track that wager is on.

A highly functioning app enriches the tracks by enticing players and helps gamblers avoid the frustration of long betting lines that result in the occasional shutout at a live facility.

In many ways, TVG has earned the right to call itself the home of horse racing in the US. Active since 1999 and now the leading online horse betting site in the country, TVG is as regal as the sport of kings itself. Part of the FanDuel Group, which, in turn, is part of the mighty Flutter Entertainment, TVG is reputable and safe.

2021 Kentucky Derby odds and betting favorites

Derby prep races in March and April provide excellent betting insight.

They will determine whether early contenders like Essential Quality and Hot Rod Charlie pan out. Essential Quality won the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile last year, while Hot Rod Charlie was a strong second.

Highly Motivated, Life is Good and Brooklyn Strong also attracted interest during the winter season.

Will they be there on Derby Day? Or will others emerge? The prep races will reveal that.

What are the Derby preps?

The Kentucky Derby has several tiers of qualifying races, with points, to determine the 20-horse field. The following events have the most value, with 100 qualifying points to the winners and 40 points for second place.

Of the last 10 Kentucky Derby winners, nine have finished first or second in one of the prep races. These events have become an excellent reference for sizing up the Kentucky Derby field.

After observing the prep races and picking a Derby horse, what are the betting options?

Common Kentucky Derby bet types

There are a number of common bets when it comes to the Kentucky Derby.

• Win: As it sounds, select the top horse. Odds are reasonable for any winner in this race, given the top competition. The minimum bet is usually $2.
• Place: Choose a horse to finish second or higher. This will pay less than the win bet, but it provides a payout in the first and second slots.
• Show: Bet on a horse to finish third or higher. This pays lower than win or place, but it pays out if your horse finishes first, second or third.
• Exactas: Select the order of the top two finishers. It’s always good to box them. You’d hate to have the right two horses in the wrong order, especially in the Derby, with a 20-horse field.
• Trifectas: Pick the top three finishers in order. Wagered via straight bet, this type of bet is a box of three or more horses, or a partial wheel.
• The Box: A $1 trifecta box with three horses costs $6. Any combination of these three horses in the top three positions becomes a winning ticket.
• The Key: For the same $6, bettors can place a horse in the first spot, followed by three others in the second and third slots. For example, a $1 trifecta key with the “1” over the “2-3-4” means the 1 horse must win and any combo of the 2-3-4 in the next two slots is a winning ticket. For $12, you can take that 1 horse in the first AND second position with the other three horses.
• Superfecta: Pick the top four horses in the correct order. Same combinations as can be used for trifectas. The superfecta is often lucrative, but extremely hard to hit. The $1 Derby superfecta last year paid $7,925.80.

Other bets include Pick 3, Pick 4, Pick 5 and Pick 6. These involve bettors picking the winner in three, four, five and six straight races, respectively. If you make only one selection for each race, these bets can be entered for small amounts, such as $0.50 or $2.

Seasoned players will try to expand the ticket, taking multiple entries in most of the races. The key to this strategy is finding at least one race to have a “single.” That means you make just one selection in that race.

How to handicap the Derby

Combine the recent history of the race structure and modern technology. This has resulted in favorites usually winning the Derby or running very well.

A few years back, racing officials began disregarding sprint races in the qualifiers. That means Derby horses have to prove themselves at a distance.

For the Derby, this format eliminates the “speed” horses who set a blistering early pace and occasionally drew other horses into what’s known as a “speed duel.” This weakened the frontrunners and set up other horses, usually longshots, to rally from far back and win down the stretch. No more.

Now, the eventual race winner is usually close to the lead early on, and times are slower than in the past. Favorites now run well in the Derby. Recent winners (and pre-race odds) include:

Xpressbet Kentucky Derby Wagering Guide

• 2014: California Chrome (5-2)
• 2015: American Pharoah (5-2)
• 2016: Nyquist (2-1)
• 2017: Always Dreaming (9-2)
• 2018: Justify (5-2)
• 2019: Maximum Security (9-2); Country House (65-1) was later awarded the victory
• 2020: Tiz the Law (3-5) was nipped in a thrilling stretch duel with Authentic (8-1)

Handicapping tips

First off, respect recent history. The Florida Derby has been on a roll regarding Kentucky Derby winners. Consider that three of the last five Florida Derby champions went on to capture the Derby.

There is no acknowledged reason for Florida Derby horses converting so well to Kentucky Derby form. One possible explanation, however, is the five-week time between races, which may be ideal for some horses. In any case, this is a worthy handicapping variable.

Second, watch the prep races. You don’t even have to do this live. Simply watch a replay on YouTube. You want to evaluate the running style of the winning horse. Was he near the lead early or did he move late? Did he have an easy trip around the track or did he have to weave through a wall of horses to get top position? There is no prep race that exactly matches the 1¼-mile Kentucky Derby. It may be asking a lot from a horse that was fading at the end of a 1 1/8-mile race to improve at a longer distance.

Next, obtain a daily racing form, usually available online. This details a horse’s full history and may reveal matchups against other Derby participants.

Watching the early races on Derby day could also pay dividends. How is Churchill Downs playing that day? Are the frontrunners winning or are the winners coming from off the pace? Is there an edge on the inside, the middle or the outside of the track?

Beware the conditions. If there is a sudden downpour or rain throughout the day, all handicapping angles may become moot. Check the weather throughout the week.

Lastly, don’t put everything on one horse. The Derby is famous for horses being trapped in logjams and never finding racing room. Have a backup ticket in case your favorite horse gets what’s known in the industry as a “bad trip.”

Kentucky Derby highlights

Legendary Secretariat set the Derby record in 1973 with a time of 1:59.40. Secretariat had the all-time Triple Crown run in 1973, establishing records in the Derby, the Preakness (1:53) and Belmont Stakes (2:24) that still stand nearly 50 years later.

The biggest Kentucky Derby longshot win came in 1913, when Donerail paid out at 91-1 odds.

The highest attendance ever was in 2015, with 170,513 people.

Thirteen horses have gone on from the Kentucky Derby to win the Triple Crown. They are:

The last two Triple Crown champions have been led by Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert. He is tied with Ben Jones for most Derby wins (six) and will likely have horses entered again this year.