Where to Bet The Kentucky Derby in Virginia on Saturday May 6

The biggest horse racing event of the year is this coming Saturday May 6 — and for the first time ever, there are 14 different places that Virginians can wager the $3 million Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve! 

Fans can bet the “Run for the Roses” at any of the six Rosie’s Gaming Emporiums in New Kent, Richmond, Hampton, Dumfries, Collinsville & Vinton, at the VA-Horseplay OTBs inside Breakers Sports Grille in Henrico & Buckets Bar & Grill in Chesapeake, at the Virginia Gold Cup Steeplechase Races in The Plains, at the Shenandoah Downs Harness Races in Woodstock, and online via four partner sites: Twinspires.comTVG.comXpressbet.com & NYRABets.com. 

Derby bettors should take a look at early favorite Forte, who bred by Virginia Amy Moore and raised in Northern Virginia (Lauren King photo).

There is much more to wager in addition to the Derby. Saturday features an additional seven graded stakes including the $1 million Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic (Gr. 1), the $750,000 Churchill Downs Stakes (Gr. 1), $750,000 Derby City Distaff (Gr. 1), $500,000 Longines Churchill Distaff Turf Mile (Gr. 2), $500,000 Pat Day Mile (Gr. 2),  $500,000 Twin Spires Turf Sprint (Gr. 2) and $500,000 American Turf (Gr. 2). The $175,000 Knicks Go Overnight Stakes will complement the eight graded events. 

Two Phil’s, another Derby entrant, broke his maiden at Colonial Downs last summer (Coady Photography)

The day prior — Friday May 5 — is the $1,250,000 Kentucky Oaks (Gr. 1) card. In addition to the feature for 3-year-old fillies, five other graded stakes are programmed including the $750,000 La Troienne Stakes (Gr. 1), $600,000 Alysheba Stakes (Gr. 2), $500,000 Eight Belles Stakes (Gr. 2), $500,000 Edgewood Stakes (Gr. 2) and $300,000 Modesty Stakes (Gr. 3). The $300,000 Unbridled Sidney Stakes is ungraded.

Breakers Bar & Grill in the Ollie’s Plaza in Henrico offers a great video wall of horse tracks and of course, will take Derby wagers.

Kentucky Derby post time is 6:50 PM. Advance Derby wagering is available all day and evening on Friday, then Saturday up until post time.