Bet Just $10 to Enter the $20K Derby Prediction Game! Updated for May 2025

Updated: 21st May 2025

The Kentucky Derby is more than just a race—it’s a national tradition. With the 151st edition charging out of the gates on Saturday, May 3rd at 6:57 PM ET, this year's event comes with an electrifying twist for betting fans: a $20,000 First & Last Prediction Contest, courtesy of SportsBetting.ag.

And here’s the best part: you only need $10 to enter. That’s right—for less than the cost of a fancy Derby cocktail, you can take a shot at a share of $20,000 in real cash payouts.

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🎯 How the $20K Derby Contest Works

This isn’t your average horse betting pool. The format is fresh, fun, and offers something most promos don’t: a reward no matter the result.

📝 Step-by-step:

1. to SportsBetting.ag.
2. Choose your First Place and Last Place horse.
3. Wager at least $10 on the Racebook or Horse Racing section.
4. Submit your entry before 6:45 PM ET on May 3rd.

You can update your picks any time before the deadline. Once they’re locked in, it’s all up to the horses.

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💵 Prize Pool Breakdown

No matter how your picks shake out, there’s a prize pool waiting for you:

• 🥇 Nailed First & Last? Split $10,000
• ✅ Got the Winner Right? Share $5,000
• 🐢 Only Called Last Place? Split $3,000
• ❌ Both Wrong? Still split $2,000

✅ Bonus Points:

• 💸 Cash payouts
• 🕕 Deposited by May 5th
• 🔁 No rollover required

It’s the rare betting promo that actually puts real money back in your —fast and fuss-free.

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🐎 Why This Contest Is So Fun (Even for Casual Fans)

When I entered this contest last year, I wasn’t exactly a handicapping guru. I looked at the odds, made a few gut decisions, and threw down a $10 wager on a horse I liked the name of. I went with a favorite for the win and a no-hoper for last.

While my pick for the winner didn’t pan out, I did get the last-place finisher right. I split the $3,000 pool with about 70 others and made more than 10x my entry. That’s not just a win—it’s an unforgettable race-day memory.

🔥 Real excitement comes from:

• Watching your long shot trail just far enough to matter.
• Screaming at the screen when your winner makes a late push.
• Knowing even a “bad bet” still gets you paid.

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🧠 Pro Tips for Picking Winners (and Losers)

You don’t need to be an equestrian savant to play smart. Here are a few strategies I picked up:

• Study post positions: Wide gates can lead to traffic trouble.
• Look at trainer and jockey history—experience counts.
• Don’t ignore longshots—especially for last place.
• Keep an eye on late scratches and weather conditions.

Also, : the last-place horse must finish the race. DNFs (Did Not Finish) don’t count. That adds a nice layer of complexity to your pick.

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📊 More Ways to Bet the Derby

While the contest is the main attraction, SportsBetting.ag are also offering full Derby betting markets, including:

• 🆚 Matchups: Bet horse vs. horse, regardless of final placing.
• 📈 Futures: Triple Crown predictions and beyond.
• 🎲 Props:
  • Will the winning time beat 122.5 seconds?
  • Will Rodriguez, Bob Baffert’s entry, make the Top 3? (+450)

This year’s standout? Journalism, the early favorite to take the first leg of the Triple Crown. But as every seasoned bettor knows, favorites can falter—and longshots can fly.

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📺 Don’t Miss the Action

• 🗓️ Entry Deadline: Saturday, May 3rd, 6:45 PM ET
• 🏁 Post Time: 6:57 PM ET
• 📺 Coverage Starts: 2:30 PM ET on NBC, USA Network, and Peacock

You can finalize your entry right up until the minutes before the race. That gives you time to follow the odds and make your picks with confidence.

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🏆 Why You Shouldn’t Miss This Promo

What makes this promo shine is its accessibility and fairness:

• ✅ Low $10 entry
• ✅ Real cash prizes
• ✅ Fun format with multiple ways to win
• ✅ No hidden strings or rollovers

It’s everything a racing fan—or a casual bettor—could want on Derby Day.

So grab your mint julep, scan the lineup, and lock in your picks. Whether you're playing the favorite or betting on the back of the pack, you’re now part of the action—and possibly part of a $20K payday.

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