Spring is in the air and that means it’s time to start getting ready for the Run For The Roses, with the annual Kentucky Derby set to take place on Saturday, May 4. The first leg of the Triple Crown will provide plenty of opportunities for Horse racing betting fans to win big at any of the online sportsbooks delivering odds and bonuses for the two most exciting minutes in sports.

Below, we’ve listed out the top betting apps in the industry and spelled out their welcome bonus offers that are available for all qualified bettors in the lead-up to the race in Kentucky. Before everyone heads to Churchill Downs for the race, here’s what you need to know about these offers.

First Bet Safety Net Up To $1,000

Tap for Promo Activated! Visit site

Used 19 Times Today

Deposit required. Paid in Bonus Bets. Bets wager excluded from returns. New Customer only. Must be 21+ and present in OH. T&Cs apply. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.

Up to $1,500 in Bonus Bets if Your First Bet Loses Promo Code: BOOKIES

Tap for Promo Activated! Visit site

Used 28 Times Today

Bonus Bets Expire in 7 Days. One New Customer Offer Only. Must be 21+ to participate & present in OH. In partnership with MGM Northfield Park. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Visit BetMGM.com for T&Cs. US promotional offers not available in NY, NV, or Puerto Rico.

Twinspires Belmont Stakes Betting Promos

One of the most popular spots to place your online horse racing bets, Twinspires has a terrific offer available for all new players in the lead-up to the Kentucky Derby. Players who sign up now will receive $200 in bonus bets, which are paid out in $100 increments for every $400 wagered. 

While this may seem steeper than some of the offers, the bonus bets are guaranteed and you’re eligible to earn cash profit on those real-money wagers you place.

DRF Bets Belmont Stakes Betting Promo

The Daily Racing Forum has been in operation since well before the internet existed (1894, to be exact) so you know they’re the go-to experts on all things horse race betting. 

They’re delivering the goods once again for the Kentucky Derby, providing all new players with a first-bet offer of up to $500. Earn cash profit on your first real-money wager or receive matching bet credits in return for a second chance to earn back your funds on whatever you wagered on at the Kentucky Derby.

Up to $1,500 in Bonus Bets if Your First Bet Loses Promo Code: BOOKIES

Tap for Promo Activated! Visit site

Used 77 Times Today

Bonus Bets Expire in 7 Days. One New Customer Offer Only. Must be 21+ to participate & present in OH. In partnership with MGM Northfield Park. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Visit BetMGM.com for T&Cs. US promotional offers not available in NY, NV, or Puerto Rico.

First Bet Safety Net Up To $1,000

Tap for Promo Activated! Visit site

Used 19 Times Today

Deposit required. Paid in Bonus Bets. Bets wager excluded from returns. New Customer only. Must be 21+ and present in OH. T&Cs apply. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.

BetMGM Belmont Stakes Betting Promo

The Kentucky Derby may be the biggest horse race of the year, so it makes sense to also use the biggest welcome bonus offer on the board for new players. That’s what you’ll get with the  BetMGM bonus code BOOKIES, which delivers all new players a first-bet bonus up to $1,500 when they register for an account.

Your first real-money wager will earn you cash profit with a win or matching bonus bets back with a loss. So even if your Kentucky Derby choice comes up short, you’ll have an opportunity to earn back your original funds with a do-over to get your bets correct.

Up to $1,500 in Bonus Bets if Your First Bet Loses Promo Code: BOOKIES

Tap for Promo Activated! Visit site

Used 53 Times Today

Bonus Bets Expire in 7 Days. One New Customer Offer Only. Must be 21+ to participate & present in OH. In partnership with MGM Northfield Park. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Visit BetMGM.com for T&Cs. US promotional offers not available in NY, NV, or Puerto Rico.

Caesars Belmont Stakes Betting Promo

The Kentucky Derby winner will feel like royalty, and so will those who sign up for a new account using the Caesars Sportsbook promo code BOOKIES1000. 

Register before the race and earn a First Bet On Us up to $1,000. Either you’ll pick up cash profit on the first bet you place, or Caesars Sportsbook will give you a single matching bonus bet back for a second chance to win back your original funds.

$1,000 First Bet on Caesars

Tap for Promo Activated! Visit site

Used 35 Times Today

OH only. 21+. New users and first wager only. Must register with eligible promo code. Bet amount of qualifying wager returned only if wager is settled as a loss. Maximum bet credit $1,000; must be used within 14 days of receipt. See Caesars.com/promos for full terms. Void where prohibited. Know When To Stop Before You Start.® Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER

DraftKings Belmont Stakes Betting Promo

We know DraftKings has an outstanding daily fantasy sports app and is an industry leader in online sports betting, and they’ve really turned the corner on their horse race betting offering, too. Players can download the DraftKings DKHORSE app for free on Apple or Android and receive a 100% deposit match up to $250 when they register for a new account using the, DraftKings Promo Code offer. There’s a 2x playthrough requirement on the bonus bets you receive, so you can get started early and have your winnings ready for the Derby.

Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets + No Sweat NBA SGP Every Day Of The Playoffs

Tap for Promo Activated! Visit site

Used 44 Times Today

Must be 21+ and present in OH. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.

How to Bet on Horse Racing

There’s certainly some analysis that goes into betting on horse racing. Past results, jockeys, trainers, course conditions, and position all play a factor. Then again, these are animals that are prone to anything that we’ll never be able to quantify.

Still, favorites are favorites for a reason—and there are plenty of handicappers analyzing the aforementioned factors that spit out the horses they believe will perform best. That’s where underdogs come into play. We don’t have to look far for long-odds winners, with Country House (30/1 in 2019) and Animal Kingdom (21/1 in 2011) coming to mind. Research and reading analysis will always come into play in horse race betting, and knowledge is power in what is a short race with a huge impact on both the industry and potentially your pockets.

Types of Horse Racing Bets

As opposed to bets on sports like basketball, baseball, or hockey, horse race betting isn’t necessarily a winner-take-all outcome. 

Bettors certainly will be able to place wagers on the horse they believe will win the Kentucky Derby, but there are also available wagers on a horse to place (second) or show (third), with trifectas acting as a parlay where you wager on the exact outcome of the top-3 horses. There will be dozens of different betting options for players to bet on during the Kentucky Derby, and each of them comes with their own perks.