How To Bet The Kentucky Derby

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If you’re one of the many fans of America’s premier horse race, the Kentucky Derby, chances are you’d also like to place a bet. But you may not have the time or money to travel to Churchill Downs to place one. Not a problem—just like watching the Kentucky Derby from your own couch, you can also bet from home.

This year’s Run For The Roses ® will be held on May 4, 2019. If you’re new to betting on the Kentucky Derby, this primer will help you get started so you can bet on the 145th Derby like a pro.  Once you’ve made your selections and placed your bets, you’ll have plenty of time to make a mint julep and dust off your big hat.

Common Bet Types

While it’s easy to place a bet, there are a number of types of betting you’ll need to be familiar with:

  • Win-Place-Show
  • Exacta
  • Trifecta

Win-Place-Show is a combination of three basic types of bets.

  1. “Win” means exactly that—the horse you bet on must actually win the race for you to win a payout. Because it’s a more difficult wager, it pays the most of these three.
  2. “Place” means that the horse you bet on must finish in the top 2, either first or second place, for you to win a payout.
  3. “Show” is a horse you believe will win in one of the top 3 spots. If your horse places first, second or third, you’ll win a payout. Show offers a bigger chance of a win, but a smaller payout.

Each of these bets is a minimum $2 wager.

Exacta and Box wagers have a higher payout than Win-Place-Show, but also have a higher degree of difficulty. You’ll select two horses to win first and second, in order, in order to win the bet. An Exacta Box (or “boxing” your wager) means you pick two horses to win first and second in any order to win a payout. Because you don’t bet on the order, there is a higher chance of a win.

The minimum bet on these wagers is $2.

Trifecta wagers are similar to Exacta wagers, but are more difficult and have higher payouts. You’ll select three horses to finish first, second and third, in order. You can also “box” your bet, and pick three horses in any order to finish first, second and third. Sometimes this is bet called is called a “Quinella.” Like the Exacta Box, Trifecta Box wagers also have a higher chance of winning.

Trifecta wagers start at fifty cents, with trifecta box wages a minimum of $3.

Kentucky Derby totals have reached as much as $200 million, but you don’t have to wait until May to place your bets. Future Wagers allow you to place bets earlier in the season, on possible contenders that have a strong potential for earning a place at the Derby’s starting gate. These bets also tend to have higher payouts than the actual race day. Future wagers are offered four times a year, at both betting tracks and online betting sites.

You can watch videos on different types of betting on the Kentucky Derby website.

Potential Horses To Bet On This Year

Now that you know the basics, who are you going to bet on?

You can find a complete list of the current contenders here. However, the Kentucky Derby asked six experts to pick their favorites for the race. These experts have offered their picks for both the Derby and The Oaks, but horses that show up on multiple lists include (in no particular order):

  1. Gunmetal Grey
  2. War of Will
  3. Mucho Gusto
  4. Instagrand
  5. Game Winner
  6. Vekoma
  7. Hidden Scroll
  8. Mucho
  9. Tax
  10. Country House

These are just some of the many expert picks for the Kentucky Derby. While there are other horses that are eligible, you’ll need to do some research to find out which horse is the best one for you to place a bet.

Where To Bet On The Kentucky Derby Online

Once you’ve decided who to bet on, t’s time to place your bets.

Online betting has opened up the world of wagering to nearly anyone who wants to bet, anytime, anywhere, and the Kentucky Derby is no different. While there are a number of online betting vendors to choose from, online betting site for the Kentucky Derby is Derby Jackpot, who also livestreams the Derby online.

Twinspires is a US-based, licensed and legal betting service that is an exclusive partner with the Kentucky Derby. You can bet from your laptop, smartphone app or by phone, anytime. Your registration and transactions are secure using Symantec’s Norton Security. Registration is easy, and once you fund your account, you’re ready to place a wager.

This year’s Run For The Roses ® promises to be as exciting as ever. Place your bets, put on your finest outfit, have a seat in your living room, and get ready to enjoy the most exciting two minutes in sports.

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