Churchill Downs Update: Deicke Captures Record-Setting Kentucky Derby Betting Challenge; Petrunyak Wins Inaugural TwinSpires Tour

May 08, 2026

Fueled by a $73,662 score on Kentucky Derby 152 winner Golden Tempo, Ed Deicke won the record-setting Kentucky Derby Betting Challenge (KDBC), while Ryan Petrunyak outlasted a competitive season-long leaderboard to capture the inaugural TwinSpires Tour title.

This year’s KDBC featured 235 entries and a $352,500 prize pool, both significant increases from last year’s totals of 173 entries and $259,500. The tournament awarded $317,500 in cash prizes along with Breeders’ Cup Betting Challenge, National Horseplayers Championship and future KDBC seats.

Deicke secured the KDBC title and its $127,000 top prize after cashing a $3,054 win wager on Golden Tempo.

“Just like Golden Tempo, I was able to come from far back to win,” Deicke said. “I’ve loved the Kentucky Derby since I was a kid and to win this tournament was the thrill of a lifetime.”

Deicke also secured two additional KDBC seats for 2027 through his strong showing in the inaugural Kentucky Oaks Betting Challenge, which featured 285 entries and $25,000 in seeded cash prizes.

Matthew McJunkin finished second in the KDBC with a bankroll of $63,458 after connecting on multiple large exactas throughout the day, while Christopher Larmey finished third with a bankroll of $43,528 following two lucrative Daily Double scores late in the card.

The Kentucky Oaks Betting Challenge was won by Michael Doheny, who earned a final bankroll of $5,701.50 to secure the $12,500 top prize and one of 28 KDBC seats awarded through the contest.

Full standings are available at: www.twinspires.com/bet/tournaments/566/details.

The conclusion of Derby week also finalized the inaugural TwinSpires Tour, a season-long tournament series rewarding consistent performances across multiple events.

Petrunyak captured the overall Tour title with 2,491.18 points after winning sessions two and three of the series.

“I enjoyed the opportunity the tour created to compete with many people I have a lot of respect for as both horseplayers and people,” Petrunyak said. “Horse racing tournaments are a great way to play the game for those of us that love the competition. Thanks to TwinSpires for putting forth the Tour and congratulations to all the other players who cashed and competed.”

Former Breeders’ Cup Betting Challenge winner Matt Miller finished second with 2,403.69 points, while Stephen Zehr rallied late in the series to finish third with 1,927.41 points.

All three earned KDBC seats as well as cash prizes for their performance, with Petrunyak winning $20,000, Miller earning $7,500 and Zehr collecting $3,500.

Henry Karsen finished fourth overall and earned $2,500 for his season-long performance. Karsen also won the final session of the Tour to earn an additional $2,500 and finished 16th in the Kentucky Derby Betting Challenge.

Brad Anderson rounded out the top five and earned $1,500.

The TwinSpires Tour awarded $50,000 in cash prizes and three KDBC seats during its inaugural season. Year two of the Tour is scheduled to begin Memorial Day weekend.

For the latest information about TwinSpires Tournaments, visit www.twinspires.com/tournaments.

FRIDAY WORK TAB INCLUDES POSSIBLE PREAKNESS CONTENDER SILENT TACTIC, DUBAI WORLD CUP WINNER HIT SHOW – It was a busy Friday morning at Churchill Downs with 138 horses recording published workouts including John Oxley’s Preakness Stakes (GI) contender Silent Tactic, who breezed a half-mile in :48.80 and Wathnan Racing’s 2025 Dubai World Cup (GI) winner Hit Show, who worked a half-mile in :48.40.

Also on the Friday work tab was On Our Own Stable, Commonwealth Stable, U Racing Stables, Saints or Sinners, Titletown Racing, Jim Nichols, Edwin Barker, Daniel Rivers, John Haines and Dallas Stewarts’ Corona de Oro, who worked five furlongs in :59.80 for a possible start in the Preakness Stakes.

DOWN THE STRETCH – The Jackpot 8 was taken down Thursday by a TwinSpires customer for $691,402. The bet, which requires horseplayers to pick the top eight finishers in typically the last race of the day, had gone unsolved since its debut in March at Turfway Park. The carryover will start over Friday. … “Inside Churchill Downs” returns Friday at 6 p.m. on ESPN 680/105.7. The one-hour show will recap Kentucky Derby weekend and preview Saturday’s card at Churchill Downs. Those outside the Louisville area can listen on www.espnlouisville.com. … Jockey Ben Curtis had the hot hand Thursday night at Churchill Downs when he recorded four wins from five starts. His lone blemish was a third-place finish in Race 6. … For the latest information on the Spring Meet, visit www.churchilldowns.com.