Pari-mutuel wagering in horse racing includes future wagers, allowing bets on outcomes of distant events like the Kentucky Derby months ahead. These bets offer larger payouts but cannot be canceled. The 2026 Derby has six future wager pools from October 2025 to April 2026, including win, exacta, and double bets, with minimums and takeout rates specified. More info and rules are available on official Kentucky Derby sites.
For the most part, pari-mutuel wagering is widespread in horse racing and is focused on day-to-day betting opportunities. But once in a while, the sport steps outside the box with more creative options, such as future wagers.
Future wagers allow horseplayers to bet on the outcomes of far-off events, rather than an upcoming race where entries have already been drawn. For example, the popular Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pools allow bettors to wager on potential Kentucky Derby and Oaks contenders months in advance of the first Saturday in May.
The traditional Kentucky Derby & Oaks Future Wagers are an opportunity for fans to bet early in the racing season on horses who they think have the potential to earn a spot in the starting gate and go on to win the Kentucky Derby & Oaks races. Future wager bets typically offer larger payouts than betting the same horse on race day because it is not yet known which horses will ultimately qualify to run in the Derby & Oaks. Future wagers cannot be cancelled after they are placed. Please see Future Wager rules here.
Read more about the Kentucky Derby Future Wager:
https://edge.twinspires.com/racing/what-are-racing-future-wagers-and-should-you-bet-them/
Past performances are usually available close to the start of a pool here:
https://www.kentuckyderby.com/wager/future-wager/
Pools for the 2026 Derby:
Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 1
Wednesday, October 29th – Friday, October 31st, 2025
Results attached below
- Kentucky Derby Future Wager only (win/exacta)
Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 2
Thursday, November 27th – Sunday, November 30th, 2025
- Kentucky Derby Future Wager (win/exacta)
- Kentucky Derby Sire Future Wager (win/exacta)
Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 3
Friday, January 16th – Sunday, January 18th, 2026
- Kentucky Derby Future Wager only (win/exacta)
Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 4
Friday, February 13th – Sunday, February 15th, 2026
- Kentucky Derby Future Wager only (win/exacta)
Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 5
Friday, March 13th – Sunday, March 15th, 2026
- Kentucky Derby Future Wager (win/exacta)
- Kentucky Oaks Future Wager (win/exacta)
- Kentucky Oaks/Derby Double Future Wager (Double)
Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 6
Friday, April 2nd – Sunday, April 4th, 2026
- Kentucky Derby Future Wager (win/exacta)
Wager Minimums
- Win: $2.00
- Double: $1.00
- Exacta: $2.00 ($1.00 Box/Wheel)
Takeout Structure
- Win: 17.50%
- Double & Exacta: 22.00%
Rules for these wagers:
Future Wager Rules
Here is a link to find out who the possible runners may be, what races make up the Road to The Kentucky Derby/Oaks, along with the latest news:
https://www.kentuckyderby.com/wager/future-wager/