Kentucky Derby Prop Bets 2024

Horse racing operates largely under a pari-mutuel system. However, big races like the Kentucky Derby offer some opportunities for fixed odds via prop bets. Check out our Kentucky Derby prop bet plays.

Kentucky Derby Prop Bet Platforms

Local race tracks and OTB parlors are confined to pools included in the pari-mutuel betting menu. Not to worry, horseplayers have other options. Online wagering platforms like BetOnline offer some unique fixed odds markets for the first Saturday in May. Players looking to take advantage of these Kentucky Derby prop bets can get fixed odds and take advantage of some great signup bonuses. Want to make even more of your play on Derby day? Check out the BetOnline free contest for the big race.

Kentucky Derby Prop Bets and Analysis

BetOnline is offering a number of props for the 2024 Kentucky Derby. While many are related to the horses running in the race, there are plenty of other options for players to choose from as well.

Kentucky Derby Prop Bet- Horses Head to Head

BetOnline is offering a number of head to head bets. These props require players to pick which horse will finish in a better position. The simplest form of theses wagers include just two horses, but the site also offers three headed matchups where the selection must beat the other 2 listed entries.

Just a Touch (-105) vs. Catching Freedom (-115)

Both runners have topped out at 100 Brisnet Speed Figures in their last race. Catching Freedom came flying late to blow by lightly raced Honor Marie in the Louisiana Derby. Just a Touch earned his narrowly conceding to Sierra Leone in the stretch, but that race had a +13 pace variant. The horse was doing the work up front.

My feel for this race is that the pace will be much more moderate than the Blue Grass. Just a Touch may fade a bit with the extra distance, but Catching Freedom will have to get both pace and trip.

Pick: Just a Touch (-105)

Fierceness (+118) vs. Sierra Leone (+118) vs. Catching Freedom (+600)

These are three of the buzz horses going into the race. Fierceness and Sierra Leone will likely be vying for favoritism throughout. Catching Freedom is the outlier in the group and a lot of players like this one as a dark horse.

While I don’t always love taking short prices in this situation, Fierceness will be forward and by my estimation is the horse to beat. The other two have to trip out. Two-year old champ to the wire on top.

The one caveat on this bet is that if you are emphatic that Fierceness is the winner of the race, you can actually get better value at +300 betting him straight up to win on BetOnline

Pick: Fierceness (+118)

Honor Marie (+155) vs. Resilience (+185) vs. Stronghold (+210)

All three of these horses are in the mix to get into the number for the Derby. Honor Marie has been improving his form in 2024 and has been getting defeated by the big knockers in this field.

Resilience popped in the Wood Memorial with a staggering 104 Brisnet Speed Figure. The concern with this runner is the wide post and the desire to be forward. All of this is a recipe for a wide trip.

Stronghold is another outside draw on a 2 race win streak. Despite being crushed in the Bob Hope, he lost to Nysos who likely would have been the Derby favorite if not for the Baffert ban at Churchill Downs and subsequent injury. Although a touch light on figs, I like the value on this one.

Pick: Stronghold (+210)

Kentucky Derby Prop Bet- Race

Players can attack a number of bets on outcomes in the race. Here’s a look at a few options for those tuning in.

Gate to Wire Winner: No (-700) vs. Yes (+475)

This one is pretty straight forward and the odds reflect it. The horse that would be likeliest to take them on a merry-go round would be Fierceness, but the reality is that he can sit and stalk. From his outside post, it is probably less likely that connections use him to get the outright lead.

All the other major players have little to no interest being in front into the first turn. As enticing as the dog is in this spot, the -700 might actually offer value when looking up and down the field.

Pick: No (-700)

Number of Words in the Winner’s Name: Two (-145) vs. One (+160) vs. Three or More (+1000)

Based on the field this one makes sense. Of the top 13 horses in the odds 7 of them have 2 words in their name. This includes major players like Sierra Leone, Catching Freedom, Forever Young, and Honor Marie.

One word horse names should not be totally overlooked however. Fierceness makes this one a decent prop right off the bat. Pair him with Stronghold, Dornoch, and Resilience and the plus money is a bit more enticing.

Three or more players are praying for Just a Touch or maybe hoping for a Japanese shocker in the form of T O Password.

Pick: One Word (+160)

Winning Distance: Over (-125) Under (-105) 1.5 Lengths

This is a tricky prop, but really comes down to how players see the race. The thing about this group is that it seems to be fairly competitive. There are a couple of prominent pace players who are likely to be on the front end with moderate to severe pressure.

Equally there are a number of solid closers who will likely be looming in the late stages. If the pace is slow, the front runners could be ding donging down the lane. If the pace is hot, the closers could be in a mad scramble to the finish.

Regardless, this feels like one of the closer Derby’s

Pick: Under 1.5 Lengths (-105)

Winning Time: Over (+129) Under (-165) Two Minutes and Two Seconds

Since the creation of the points system there have been 11 Kentucky Derby runs. Only 4 of those runnings have been under the 2:02 mark. There is some discussion that the track has been cooked up for Derby Day. On Wednesday of Derby week Next crushed the dirt marathon record by a wide margin.

However, weather reports are showing that their could be some rain on the day and Derby’s on an off track are 3 for 3 at hitting the over.

Pick:  Over 2:02:00 (+129)

Kentucky Derby Prop Bet- Broadcast

Much like the Superbowl there are a bunch of non-horse racing related Kentucky Derby prop bets for players to wager on.

These broadcast props include National Anthem length and 1st celebrity shown on the telecast. Also given the race will be run on May the 4th, it is not surprising that players can also attempt to select which Star Wars costume will be shown first.

While my money is on Darth Vader at +220, I’m really hoping for a Jabba The Hutt at +1600.

Churchill Downs Derby Week Coverage

Stay up to date on all the latest action from Churchill Downs during Kentucky Derby week with Betting News including

• Kentucky Derby Post Position Analysis
• Kentucky Oaks Analysis from Churchill Downs
• Kentucky Derby Analysis from Churchill Downs
• BetOnline Kentucky Derby Contest Strategy