Kentucky Derby History: Jockeys With Most Wins

With the 150th edition of The Run For The Roses in 2024, the jockeys with the most wins in Kentucky Derby history have done so on contenders and longshots in Derby odds, alike. In this piece, we'll look at the three winningest riders in the first jewel of horse racing's Triple Crown.

History could be made this time as John Velazquez rides big favorite Fierceness in 2024. Johnny V is one victory away from tying for second-most wins by a jockey in Kentucky Derby history.

Click "PLAY NOW" below to receive a $500 no-sweat bet with FanDuel Racing for the Derby!

#

Sportsbook

Bonus

Features

Bet

1

Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win

• Wide coverage of US and international sports
• Linked to MGM Rewards loyalty program
• Regular odds boosts and promos

Bet Now BetMGM Review

Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET (Available in the US) Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) Call 1-800-327-5050 (MA) 21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). Rewards are non-withdrawable bonus bets that expire in 7 days. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. See BetMGM.com for Terms. US promotional offers not available in DC, Mississippi, New York, Nevada, Ontario, or Puerto Rico.

2

New Customers: Bet $5+ Get $300 in Bonus Bets Instantly

• Wide coverage of US and international sports
• High-quality iOS and Android apps
• Very fast withdrawal times

Bet Now DraftKings Review

GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET, (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Please Gamble Responsibly. 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), or visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ and present in most states. (18+ DC/KY/NH/PR/WY). Void in NH/OR/ONT/PR. Eligibility restrictions apply. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino (KS). Pass-thru of per wager tax may apply in IL. 1 per new DraftKings Sportsbook customer. Must register new account to receive reward Token. Must select Token BEFORE placing min. $5 bet to receive $300 in Bonus Bets if your bet wins. Min. -500 odds req. Token and Bonus Bets are single-use and non-withdrawable. Bet must settle by and Token expires 5/3/26 at 11:59 PM ET. Bonus Bets expire in 7 days (168 hours). Stake removed from payout. Terms: Promos | DraftKings Sportsbook . Ends 4/26/26 at 11:59 PM ET.

3

Double Your Winnings on Your First 10 Bets! $50 Max Bets

• Only sportsbook legal in Florida
• Hot Bets feature
• Live NFL streaming

Bet Now Hard Rock Bet Review

To be eligible, the Player must be at least 21 years old, physically located in an Eligible Jurisdiction: AZ, CO, IL, IN, MI, NJ, OH, TN, or VA, and not on any exclusionary lists in any Eligible Jurisdiction. Excluded patrons are prohibited from participating in Promotions. To be eligible all personal and contact data associated to your account must be verifiable. GAMBLING PROBLEM Arizona Customers: Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP or Text NEXTSTEP to 53342. Colorado, Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio, and Virginia Customers: Call 1-800-GAMBLER Indiana Customers: Call 1-800-9-WITH-IT Tennessee Customers: Call or text the Tennessee REDLINE: 1-800-889-9789

4

New Users – Bet $5 Get $250 If Your Bet Wins!

Bet Now FanDuel Review

Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit RG Help . Call 1-888-789-7777 or visit Helpline and Chat – CONNECTICUT COUNCIL (CT). "Hope is here. GamblingHelpLineMA.org or call (800) 327-5050 for 24/7 support. 21+ and present in MA. Connect with a PlayWell Advisor at PlayWell.org. Visit Home (MD). Call 1-877-8HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) 21+ (18+ D.C., KY, WY) and present in select states (for KS, in affiliation with Kansas Star Casino). First online real money wager only. $5 first deposit required. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable bonus bets which expire 7 days after receipt. Restrictions apply. See terms at FanDuel Sportsbook

5

Bet $5 Get $200 FanCash immediately

• Unique FanCash loyalty program
• Variety of bonuses and ongoing promos
• Fast, reliable app with live betting and streaming

Bet Now Fanatics Review

New customers in AZ, CO, CT, DC, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MO, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TN, VA, VT, WV, or WY. Must toggle on this promotion in your bet slip and wager $5+ cash on any market (min. odds -500) within 7 days of account opening to receive $200 in FanCash. Promotional FanCash expires 7 days from issuance (at 11:59pm ET). Terms, including FanCash terms apply-see Fanatics Sportsbook app.

Not sure how to place bets? We can show you how to bet on the Kentucky Derby online.

Kentucky Derby odds: all-time winningest jockeys

T1. Eddie Arcaro (5)

Arcaro was the first jockey to ride five Kentucky Derby winners and two American Triple Crown titles. In 31 years as a Thoroughbred's horseman, he produced 549 victories in stakes events, a grand total of 4,779 races, and over $30,000,000 in purses. On Feb. 20, 1958, he entrenched himself as the third jockey — behind Sir Gordon Richards and Johnny Longden — to achieve 4,000 career wins at Santa Anita Race Track in California.

T1. Bill Hartack (5)

Hartack nabbed his first Derby trophy with Iron Liege in 1957. More than a decade later, he delivered the same result with Venetian Way (1960), Decidedly (1962), Northern Dancer (1964), and Majestic Prince (1969). Hartack rode in America until 1974, tallying 4,272 victories via 21,535 mounts. That equated to winning almost 20 percent of his races. He followed that up with a stint in Hong Kong from 1978-80.

3. Bill Shoemaker (4)

Shoemaker is the oldest rider (54) and one of the youngest (23) riders to win the Kentucky Derby. His final victory came with Ferdinand in 1986, guiding the winning horse through a tiny opening along the rail. After retiring from horse racing in 1990, Shoemaker notched his record-setting 8,833 races, including 11 American Triple Crown races.

Will John Velazquez tie for second?

Medina Spirit's disqualification in 2021 cost him a fourth Derby win, so Velazquez will not be vying for a spot atop the jockey leaderboard.

He's in an eight-way tie for third place, having notched three career victories at Churchill Downs. Authentic helped Velazquez claim his last win in the 2020 Kentucky Derby, holding off pre-race favorite Tiz The Law.

No. 17 Fierceness, whom Velazquez will ride in the 150th renewal of The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports, projects to be the favorite on the 2024 Kentucky Derby morning-line odds board.

Nevertheless, Fierceness isn't in great historical company after being upended in the Holy Bull on Feb. 3. Kentucky Derby favorites, who lost in their three-year-old campaign, are just 1-for-17 among first-place finishes. The other nine winning favorites went 26-for-26 in their pre-Derby starts.

watch: how to bet on horse racing