What Are the Payout Odds if Danon Bourbon Wins This Year's Kentucky Derby?

• Danon Bourbon pays out $1300 for every $100 bet to win the Kentucky Derby

• While a Japanese-trained horse has yet to win the Kentucky Derby, his performance at the Fukuryu was the fastest in that race's 27-year history

Danon Bourbon is listed at 13-1 odds to win this year's Kentucky Derby.

From the Courier Journal:: 

Danon Bourbon is an undefeated (3-for-3) Japanese contender for the 2026 Kentucky Derby, having qualified via the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby. Bred in Kentucky but racing in Japan, he is a son of Maxfield who won the Fukuryu Stakes on March 28, 2026, by 3½ lengths. He is noted for his tactical speed and dominant, wide-margin victories, posing a significant challenge in the 2026 field.

A win would result in Danon Bourbon becoming the first Japanese horse to ever taste victory in the Kentucky Derby. 

But this horse stands out in that his time of 1:50.9 over 1,800 meters (approximately 1 1/8 miles) in the Fukuryu was the fastest in the 27-year history of the race.

The Japanese-trained horse Forever Young came close to winning the Kentucky Derby in 2024.   He was part of a three-horse photo finish but was third among this mix, missing the first place finish by just a nose. 

Other Pros

• He has faced elite horses with little issue.
• Has raced effectively at 1 1/8+ miles, closer to Derby distance.
• Incredible stamina. 

Other Cons

• Horses coming through Dubai historically struggle in the Kentucky Derby.
• Transport issues are always challenging.
• Hasn’t directly faced most of the top U.S. Derby horses.

2026 Kentucky Derby Odds to Win

All odds courtesy of BetOnline Here 

As of Thursday April 30 8:28 am EDT

1. Renegade, Todd Pletcher, Irad Ortiz Jr., 5-1

2. Albus, Riley Mott, Manny Franco, 47-1

3. Intrepido, Jeff Mullins, Hector Berrios, 55-1

4. Litmus Test, Bob Baffert, Martin Garcia, 41-1

5. Right to Party, Kenny McPeek, Chris Elliott, 31-1

6. Commandment, Brad Cox, Luis Saez, 8-1

7. Danon Bourbon, Manabu Ikezoe, Atsuya Nishimura, 13-1

8. So Happy, Mark Glatt, Mike Smith, 6-1

9. The Puma, Gustavo Delgado, Javier Castellano, 5-1

10. Wonder Dean, Daisuke Takayanagi, Ryusei Sakai, 19-1

11. Incredibolt, Riley Mott, Jaime Torres, 37-1

12. Chief Wallabee, Bill Mott, Junior Alvarado, 14-1

13. Silent Tactic Mark Casse, Cristian Torres, (Scratched)

14. Potente, Bob Baffert, Juan Hernandez, 28-1

15. Emerging Market, Chad Brown, Flavien Prat, 13-1

16. Pavlovian, Doug O’Neill, Edwin Maldonado, 50-1

17. Six Speed, Bhupat Seemar, Brian Hernandez Jr., 46-1

18. Further Ado, Brad Cox, John Velazquez, 7-1

19. Golden Tempo, Cherie DeVaux, Jose Ortiz, 50-1

20. Fulleffort, Brad Cox, Tyler Gaffalione, 19-1

21. Great White, John Ennis, Alex Archard, 96-1

- Don Shapiro, Gambling911.com