Saturday is the day that all eyes turn toward horse racing.
Whether you are new to the sport and simply enjoying a mint julep with friends, or you know everything there is to know about Forte’s recent runs, chances are your television will be tuned to NBC for the Kentucky Derby.
It’s the most famous race of the year, the start of the Triple Crown, and for many of you, a first taste of betting on horse racing in Michigan.
If that’s the case, we have a quick rundown of how to get started — with or without a fancy hat.
No Sweat $20 Kentucky Derby bet at FanDuel Racing
There’s a new option this year for Michigan sports bettors looking to place a bet on the Kentucky Derby: FanDuel Racing.
FanDuel’s race betting app can be accessed through your normal FanDuel Sportsbook app, meaning the same login information will work, and the wallet will be shared.
Betting on the Derby will be available at FanDuel starting the morning of Friday, May 5.
If you wait to make your first FanDuel Racing bet until then, you can get a no sweat bet up to $20. Just place a win bet up to $20 on a single horse to win the Kentucky Derby, and get it back as Racing Bonus Bets if you don’t win.
The bonus will be added to your account within 24 hours, is non-refundable, and will expire on June 12.
Belmont Bet
Kentucky Derby morning line odds
The post-position draw for the Kentucky Derby was held Monday afternoon. Since then, four horses have scratched from the field. Here are the results and the Derby odds as of Friday afternoon.
| Post Position | Horse | Odds (as of Friday afternoon) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hit Show | 34-1 |
| 2 | Verifying | 22-1 |
| 3 | Two Phil's | 8-1 |
| 4 | Confidence Game | 17-1 |
| 5 | Tapit Trice | 5-1 |
| 6 | Kingsbarns | 12-1 |
| 7 | Reincarnate | 15-1 |
| 8 | Mage | 18-1 |
| 9 | Skinner | Scratched |
| 10 | Practical Move | Scratched |
| 11 | Disarm | 31-1 |
| 12 | Jace's Road | 37-1 |
| 13 | Sun Thunder | 32-1 |
| 14 | Angel of Empire | 5-1 |
| 15 | Forte | 9-2 |
| 16 | Raise Cain | 36-1 |
| 17 | Derma Sotogake | 8-1 |
| 18 | Rocket Can | 34-1 |
| 19 | Lord Miles | Scratched |
| 20 | Continuar | Scratched |
| 21 | Cyclone Mischief | 45-1 |
| 22 | Mandarin Hero | 29-1 |
| 23 | King Russell | 44-1 |
How to watch the Kentucky Derby
- What: 149th running of the Kentucky Derby
- Where: Churchill Downs, Louisville, Ky.
- When: 6:57 p.m., Saturday, May 6
- TV: NBC
- Streaming: Peacock, coverage starts at noon
How to bet on the Kentucky Derby in Michigan
If you’re not heading to Northville Downs, you’ll be betting on the Kentucky Derby from your phone or computer.
There are a handful of apps available for horse race betting in Michigan, but not your usual Michigan online sportsbooks. As mentioned, FanDuel Racing can be accessed from the usual FanDuel app, and does carry a shared wallet. Other available online betting sites are TVG, NYRA Bets, TwinSpires and Xpress Bet.
DraftKings Racing, which has launched in several states, is not available in Michigan.
Another major difference is that horse racing features parimutuel betting, meaning it doesn’t feature fixed odds. So those numbers you see in the above table aren’t likely to be the odds you get when the Derby horses leave the gate.
Odds will change based on the bets received.
Who is favored to win the 2023 Kentucky Derby?
The morning line favorite for the Kentucky Derby is Forte. The colt had opening odds of 3-1, has won its last five races, and is trained by Todd Pletcher. Irad Ortiz Jr. will be the jockey.
Not far behind is another Pletcher-trained horse, Tapit Trice, at 5-1. Luis Saez will be in the saddle for the colt, which is bringing its own four-race win streak into the Derby.
One other horse, Angel of Empire, had opening odds of less than 10-1, as it came in at 8-1. Brad H. Cox is the trainer, and Flavien Prat will be the jockey.
If you’re looking for a longshot, six horses are listed at 50-1: Reincarnate, Jace’s Road, Sun Thunder, Raise Cain, Continuar and King Russell.
