Kentucky Derby Purse & Prize Money Breakdown for 2017

kentucky derby purse, winnings, how much money, winner, make

Mario Gutierrez celebrates winning the 2012 Kentucky Derby. (Getty)

The 2017 Kentucky Derby has a guaranteed purse of $2 million as 20 horses compete to win a share of the prize. According to the Denver Post, that number has moved up to $2,395,800 with the owners of Fast and Accurate paying a supplemental fee of $200,000 to make the horse eligible to compete in the Derby.

With this supplemental fee taken into account, Always Dreaming took home an estimated $1,635,800. It makes the 2017 purse the second-biggest in the history of the Derby.

The Triple Crown organization, based on last year’s prize breakdown, gives a glimpse at the guaranteed money (with potential for more money with the supplemental fee) for the top five finishers. Lookin at Lee is guaranteed at least $400,000 for second place. Battle of Midway came in third place and is guaranteed $200,000. Classic Empire earned a guaranteed $100,000 for fourth place. Practical Joke is the final horse to win money by coming in fifth place and is guaranteed $60,000.

While there are a handful of horses at the top of the odds, the majority of the field of horses have a chance to place and win a share of the purse. Classic Empire entered the race as the favorite but not by much. The horse had an impressive performance at the Arkansas Derby but had several setbacks during prep season including a foot abscess.

Next in line is Always Dreaming who won the Florida Derby, which is one of the leading prep races in producing Derby winners. McCraken and Irish War Cry are two other horses that round out the list of favorites.

The top five finishers will be some of the richest in Derby history.