How to read a Kentucky Derby racing form, program, to pick a winner

• A racing form provides a wealth of information to help you make an educated bet on a horse.
• An easy way to handicap a horse is to look at its speed figures, with higher numbers indicating a faster horse.
• Consider a horse's recent performance, especially at the same distance and on the same surface as the upcoming race.
• A "win-place-show" bet allows you to wager on a horse finishing first, in the top two, or in the top three, respectively.

You've got your tickets to attend the Kentucky Derby and you've prepped a fancy hat and outfit for your day at the races.

Now it's time to figure out how to pick a winner at the annual "Run for the Roses" using the racing form. Because trust us, nothing feels better on race day than cashing a winning ticket on the Kentucky Derby.

But for non-horse racing aficionados, understanding the racing form can seem like a lot.

"It might look intimidating at first," Kevin Kerstein, Churchill Downs publicity manager said of the racing form, also known as a racing program. "But there is a wealth of information on each horse to help you make an educated bet."

Here's what to know about reading a racing program:

How to read a horse racing from, program

Across the top of the racing form are basic facts about the thoroughbred including the post position number (the number on the saddle towel), the name of the horse and owner, color of the silks (the colorful jackets worn by the jockeys), the horse's trainer and the jockey riding the Kentucky Derby contender.

"And then you get into the information on how you can handicap a horse and win some money," Kerstein said.

The boxes on the far right hand portion of the page shows the horse's record, including last year, this year and overall lifetime record and the horse's record at Churchill Downs.

Yes, we know that seems like a lot, but Kerstein says there is an easier way for the novice race fan to place an informed bet. And no, we're not talking about picking the horse with the cutest name.

"The easiest information you can take out of the program page is the bold numbers, which are the horse's speed figures," he said. "The higher the number, the faster the horse."

If you are trying to narrow down the field, look for the highest numbers because those are the fastest horses.

Using the speed numbers, you can further narrow the field by looking for a pattern.

"Sometimes horses come into Churchill Downs with their speed numbers improving in every race up leading up to the Kentucky Derby and that leads me to believe they could run even faster on Derby Day," Kerstein said. "But if a horse was running faster earlier in the year and are slowing coming into the Derby, maybe they aren't a 'now horse.'"

Kentucky Derby 2026 betting tips

When placing your bet, consider how a horse has performed in its recent races at the same distance on the same surface (in the case of the Kentucky Derby, 1 1/4 miles on dirt), the percentage of starts won this year, and notable margins of victory (winning by over three lengths is considered good).

Many first-time bettors will go for a horse that has high odds. If you're going to do that, bet it across the board so that you get a larger payout if the horse wins but still get some money if it finishes second or third.

Multi-horse bets such as exactas and trifectas are riskier — don't be that person who spends the whole day complaining they liked the big-priced winner but that the 4-5 favorite ruined the bet by not coming in second.

What is a win-place-show bet?

The first is a "win" wager. The horse must win the race for you to win the wager. 

Next, is a "place" wager, which is betting on a horse to finish in the top two. You win if your horse finishes first or second.

Betting a horse to "show" means picking a horse to finish in the top three. You win the wager if your horse finishes first, second, or third.

If you need a refresher on how to read a racing form, all the information is available on the back pages of the program you'll pick up at Churchill Downs Racetrack.

Sports reporter Jason Frakes contributed to this report. Reach Kirby Adams at [email protected].