The 10 Different Ways Virginians Can Wager The Kentucky Derby May 4th

The biggest racing event of the year is right around the corner — Kentucky Derby Day is Saturday May 4th! Did you know there are ten different ways Virginians can bet all the Derby Day action this year at Churchill Downs?

Country House, third place finisher in the Arkansas Derby, gallops at Churchill Downs April 18th in preparation for the Kentucky Derby. Photo by Kurtis Coady.

First off, the new Rosie’s Gaming Emporium at Colonial Downs in New Kent is open and in addition to 600 Historical Horse Racing terminals, they offer live simulcast wagering on all the major tracks and races. So yes, the Derby can be wagered at Colonial for the first time in six years!

There are four VA-Horseplay Off Track Betting Centers in the state as well. Breakers Sports Grille is in Henrico, Ponies & Pints is in downtown Richmond, Buckets Bar & Grill is in the Great Bridge area of Chesapeake and The Windmill OTB Sports Bar is in Collinsville, which is adjacent to Martinsville and just a short drive from Greensboro, NC. All sites have Derby parties and will serve mint juleps. Attendees are encouraged to wear fancy — or even outrageous — hats.

Arkansas Derby runner-up Improbable is shown arriving at Churchill Downs April 15th. Photo by Kurtis Coady.

All 70,000 spectators at the Virginia Gold Cup Races in The Plains will have a chance to bet the “Run for the Roses” as well. An afternoon of pari-mutuel steeplechase and flat racing will be followed by the Derby simulcast.

The spring Gold Cup attracts 60,000 – 70,000 people on average.

And Virginia residents can bet the big race on line via any of our four industry partners. Simply open a wagering account, fund it, and begin playing at TVG.com, XPressBet.com, TwinSpires.com and NYRABets.com.