How to wager the 2021 Kentucky Derby by The Outlaw Micheal Tomsik

                                On Saturday May 1st 2021 the Kentucky Derby will kick off.

So there normally are 20 horses that run in the Kentucky derby. The horses are numbered 1 to 20 and are places in pole positions that may not be based on the number of the horse. 

As far as wagering always use the number of the horse and not the name of the horse.

The derby is parimutuel wagering meaning that wagering will be allowed till they horses hit the gate, and payouts will be paid exactly as they state at the end of the race. The odds on the horses are all determined by the wagering public. The more wagers on a particular hose the lower the odds go for that horse.

Unlike sports the exact odds can not be determined until the race is over and the horses have been confirmed in the finishing order. 

The highest payout in 2017 was $11.40 on Always Dreaming on a $2 wager to Win.

Payouts do not include the amount you place on the wager, so if you wager the $2 and the horse wins like above you would get paid $11.40 not $13.40. The track keeps the $2 wager.

The Kentucky Derby is the first race in a series called the Triple Crown. Two races after the Kentucky Derby happen one at Pimlico, and Belmont. There have been 13 horses that have won all 3 races.

I am going to discuss the top wagers for the race. 

For many wagers the minim amount is $2.

WIN/PLACE/SHOW:

These are the basic wagers for any horse race not just the derby. If you wager to win the horse must win the race, if you wager place the horse can come in first or second place but the wager will pay less, if you wager show the horse can come in first,second or third place but will pay the lowest amount.

EXACTA or EXACTA BOX:

An Exacta is a wager where you pick two horses to come in first and second place. They must come in the exact order unless you box the wager than they can come in any order as long as it the two horses in the wager.

When you box the wager it cost more.

TRIFECTA:

A trifecta is three horses they must come in first,second,and third place. The horses must come in the exact order unless you box the wager than the three horses can come in any order as long as it is the three horses on the wager.

When you box the wager it cost more.

SUPERFECTA:

A superfecta is four horses they must come in first place,second place,third place and fourth place. The horses must come in the exact order unless you box the wager than the four horses can come in an order as long as it is the four horses in the wager.

When you box the wager it cost more.

Trifectas, and Superfectas pay out more, also it depends on the final odds of the horses. 

You can wager $1 on trifectas and superfectas.

Some tracks offer what is called Penny Wagering and offer these types of wagers as low as .10 cents, .50 cents 

PICK 5:

This wager works like the trifecta, and superfecta except it involves five horses. The horses must come in 1st through 5th place in exact order unless you box the wager.

CURRENT ODDS ON HORSES:

Essential Quality	5-2
Hot Rod Charlie	6-1
Medina Spirit	8-1
Rock Your World	8-1
Known Agenda	12-1
Highly Motivated	15-1
Mandaloun	15-1
Midnight Bourbon	15-1
Super Stock	20-1
Bourbonic	30-1
Caddo River	30-1
Dynamic One	30-1
Soup and Sandwich	30-1
Helium	50-1
Hidden Stash	50-1
Like the King	50-1
Sainthood	50-1