To bet on the Kentucky Derby, you can choose from several types of wagers depending on your experience and risk preference: Basic Bets:
- Win: Bet on the horse you think will finish first.
- Place: Bet on a horse to finish first or second.
- Show: Bet on a horse to finish first, second, or third.
Combination Bets:
- Across the Board: A combination of Win, Place, and Show bets on the same horse, costing three times the base wager.
- Win/Place or Place/Show: Combination wagers covering two positions, costing twice the base wager.
Exotic Bets:
- Exacta: Pick the first two finishers in exact order.
- Trifecta: Pick the first three finishers in exact order.
- Superfecta: Pick the first four finishers in exact order.
- Super High Five: Pick the first five finishers in exact order.
For beginners, sticking to Win bets is recommended. More experienced bettors might try Exacta or Trifecta bets, while adventurous bettors can explore Pick 3, Pick 4, or daily doubles involving multiple races
. Where to Bet:
You can place bets at Churchill Downs on race day or through various
sportsbooks and racing apps such as FanDuel, available in multiple states
. Betting Strategy:
- Consider betting on favorites like Journalism (early favorite at 3-1 odds), but also include other contenders in combination bets to increase chances and potential payouts.
- Exacta and Trifecta bets involving the favorite plus longshots can offer good value.
- Budget your bets according to how much you want to spend, with examples ranging from $30 to $125 budgets covering various bet types and combinations
Example Betting Approach on a Budget:
- With $30, you might place $3 Exacta bets on two key horses combined with several others.
- With $60, you can try trifecta bets with multiple horses.
- With $125, you can attempt superfecta bets covering a wider range of horses
Summary of Steps to Bet:
- Choose your bet type (Win, Place, Show, Exacta, Trifecta, etc.).
- Select the horse(s) you want to bet on.
- Decide your wager amount.
- Place your bet at a sportsbook, betting window, or online app.
- Watch the race and collect winnings if your bet is successful.
This approach allows both new and experienced bettors to enjoy the excitement of the Kentucky Derby with tailored risk and reward strategies
