It’s Derby Day! The Kentucky Derby is the highest-profile horse race in the United States and the second most bet-on sporting event in North America every year, behind only the Super Bowl.
Even here in Canada the race gets significant media attention, and many people who don’t normally bet on sports look to get some action on the Derby. This page is a simple guide for Canadians who want to place a Kentucky Derby wager online, including where to bet, a look at the 2026 odds, and a step-by-step guide to placing your bets.
Bet365 is our top-rated sportsbook for Canadians looking to bet on the Kentucky Derby.
For bettors outside Ontario, Bet365.com offers fixed-odds wagering on the Kentucky Derby winner, as well as each-way betting and a full range of horse racing markets. Fixed odds mean you lock in your price at the moment you place your bet, with no fluctuation from the pari-mutuel pool.
For Ontario bettors, Bet365.ca is the only regulated Ontario sportsbook offering Kentucky Derby betting, thanks to their partnership with Woodbine Entertainment. Bets placed in Ontario are routed through Woodbine’s pari-mutuel tote system (the same system used at the racetrack) and processed under Woodbine’s federal pari-mutuel licence. You’ll see a note in the horse racing section indicating it’s “Operated by Woodbine Entertainment Group,” which means your wagers are fully legal and regulated. No other Ontario-regulated sportsbook app currently offers Kentucky Derby betting.
Across Canada, Bet365 offers the full range of horse racing bet types for the Derby including win, place, show, exacta, trifecta, and more, plus live streaming of the race directly in the app.
2026 Kentucky Derby Odds
The 2026 Kentucky Derby goes today (Saturday, May 2nd) at Churchill Downs, with post time set for 6:57pm ET. Here’s a screenshot of the latest 2026 Kentucky Derby odds from Bet365. These odds will shift right up until post time, so head to Bet365 and select Horse Racing for the live lines.
**Select ‘Meetings’ from the top menu bar on the Horse Racing page, and then select Race #12 at Churchill Downs under the ‘North America’ header. You can also select ‘Kentucky Derby’ under the Top Races menu to quickly navigate to the Kentucky Derby. Screenshot below is from the day of the race (May 2nd, 2026).
Commandment, is the 2026 favourite. He won the Florida Derby and enters as one of the most points-loaded horses on the Road to the Derby. Renegade is second favourite. He’s won both of his 3-year-old starts, including the Sam F. Davis at Tampa Bay Downs and the G1 Arkansas Derby. Further Ado is another serious win contender after winning the Blue Grass Stakes by 11 lengths. This is a wide-open race and a genuine betting year.
The Kentucky Derby is a fascinating race to bet precisely because information is limited. Most of these three-year-olds have only run a handful of races and many haven’t faced each other yet. The unknowns are what make it so much fun, and why longshots hit more often here than almost anywhere else in sport.
How to Bet on the Kentucky Derby From Canada – 3 Step Guide
Follow these three steps to place your Kentucky Derby bets online in minutes.
Head to Bet365 via the link above, click ‘Join’ and complete the registration form. The process takes just a few minutes.
Step 2. Deposit
Bet365 accepts Interac (recommended for Canadians), Visa, Mastercard, and several other deposit methods. Select ‘Deposit’ after logging in, choose your method, enter your amount, and follow the prompts to fund your account.
Step 3. Place Your Kentucky Derby Bets
To place a bet on the Kentucky Derby winner navigate to Churchill Downs race #12 with a 6:57pm ET post time under the North America header in the ‘Meetings’ section of the Horse Racing page.
Select the type of bet you want to place (Win/Each Way), Position, Top Finishes, etc. Then select the odds of the horse you want to bet on. Enter your risk amount on the Bet Slip and click ‘Place Bet’ to lock in your wager.
One Response to “How To Bet On The Kentucky Derby in Canada”