What is the purse for the 2024 Kentucky Derby?
The 2024 Kentucky Derby will soon commence at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, and, of course, this year’s race will have some significant cash implications.
Per ESPN’s Katherine Terrell, this year’s purse will be $5 million. The total purse is distributed among the top three finishers. First place receives $3.1 million, second place gets $1 million and third place will walk away with $500,000.
This year’s $5 million Kentucky Derby purse is a significant jump from the $3 million it was in 2023 and 2022. The overall winner’s earnings increased by a staggering 66 percent — from $1.86 million to $3.1 million.
One lucky racing team will walk away with quite a haul, and it all unfolds on Saturday.