Kentucky Derby Purse Hits Record $5 Million for 150th Race

Churchill Downs announces significant increases in race purses, funded by investment in historical horse racing.

The Kentucky Derby purse has been raised to $5 million, a $2 million increase, for the 150th edition in May.
The winner of the race will receive $3.1 million, with the runner-up earning $1 million, third place $500,000, fourth place $250,000, and fifth place $150,000.
The Kentucky Oaks for 3-year-old fillies, run on Derby eve, will also see a purse increase to $1.5 million, a $250,000 increase.
Churchill Downs' spring meet will feature 50 stakes races worth $25.6 million, an increase of $5.1 million or 25% from last year's lineup.
The purse increases were made possible by Churchill Downs' investment in historical horse racing, a form of electronic gambling.