The Kentucky Derby is undoubtedly one of the most iconic horse racing events in the world. Every year, thousands of punters and spectators gather at Churchill Downs to witness the most talented colts, geldings, and fillies battle it out for the coveted prize of the Roses.
The Derby is also one of the biggest sporting events in terms of betting activity, generating millions of dollars in wagers.
If you are planning to bet on the Kentucky Derby, it is imperative that you make informed decisions to maximize your chances of winning big. In this blog post, we will share some smart bets that can help you make the most of your betting experience.
However, bettors will be looking for value in the market this year, and there could be some eye-catching selections worth considering.
Below, you can find out the horse racing odds explained for the Kentucky Derby 2023.
Kingsbarns Todd Pletcher holds a very strong hand for the Kentucky Derby this year, and one of his most interesting contenders comes in the form of Kingsbarns. The three-year-old comes into the Derby with a perfect record, having won on all three career starts. He has also been incredibly consistent throughout this calendar year, seamlessly stepping up from maiden company into stakes competition.
On his previous start, he landed a first-stakes win, as he edged out Disarm to capture the Louisiana Derby. The performance scored a speed figure of 100. There will still be questions to answer this year, as he is unproven in a big field, and he will be looking to become only the second Kentucky Derby winner to land success having failed to make a start as a two-year-old. But, he remains exceptionally exciting and progressive.
Mandarin Hero A lot of interest in the Kentucky Derby this year will come from Japan, with all the attention being on Derma Sotogake since capturing the G2 UAE Derby. However, one of the Japanese runners that have gone under the radar to this point has been Mandarin Hero. The three-year-old is a general 14/1 shot for the Kentucky Derby, and he comes into the Kentucky Derby having earned his qualifying points in the United States.
Those were picked up with a very impressive showing at Santa Anita, as he claimed second behind Practical Move. The winner of that race is much shorter in the betting, but the Japanese runner was a much stronger finisher than most in the race. There is every expectancy that the step up in distance could bring yet more improvement, and there would be a surprise if there isn’t a big movement on his odds on Derby day at Churchill Downs.
Two Phil’s Larry Rivelli has won a number of prestigious graded races throughout his career, but he is yet to land that elusive Kentucky Derby success. He will saddle Two Phil’s for the race this year, and this three-year-old isn’t without a chance. Two Phil’s took a massive step forward on his most recent start, as he landed the Jeff Ruby Steaks by a huge five and a half lengths on the all-weather. He finished over five lengths clear of Major Dude on that start, which is an excellent piece of form.
He has also run well in defeat on a number of occasions in high-quality, taking third behind Angel of Empire in the G2 Risen Star and second behind Instant Coffee in G3 Lecomte Stakes. Two Phil’s also has previous experience at Churchill Downs, as he captured the G3 Street Sense at the home of the Kentucky Derby in late October. While a win may be a long shot, he will certainly be a standout contender for those making exactas and trifectas.
Can Anyone Stop Forte? The long-time favorite for the Kentucky Derby has been the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner Forte. The Todd Pletcher runner certainly looks the classiest operator in the field this year, having landed the Fountain of Youth and Florida Derby on his two starts this calendar year. If he brings his A-game, it could be extremely hard to stop the three-year-old.
Betting Market Ideas To increase your chances of winning, you need to make smart bets. In this post, we’ll look at some of the smartest betting markets you can place at the Kentucky Derby:
Outright Winner
One of the most popular Kentucky Derby bets is the outright winner. This is where you place a bet on the horse that you think will cross the finish line first. While there is no surefire way to predict the winner, there are some factors that you can consider. These include the horse’s form and performances in previous races, the jockey’s track record, and the horse’s pedigree.
Place Bets
If you are not confident enough to bet on a single horse to win, you can consider placing a bet on a horse to finish in the top two or top three positions. This is known as a place bet. The odds for place bets are usually lower than outright winner bets, but they can still yield decent returns. To increase your chances of winning, you can bet on multiple horses to place.
Exacta Bets
Another popular bet for the Kentucky Derby is the exacta. This is where you choose the two horses that will finish first and second in the exact order. This bet is riskier than place bets, but it has higher potential payouts. To make an informed exacta bet, you need to consider factors such as the horses’ running styles, post positions, and track conditions.
Trifecta Bets
If you are looking for an even bigger payout, you can place a trifecta bet. This is where you choose the three horses that will finish first, second, and third in the exact order. Trifecta bets are even riskier than exacta bets, but they can pay off handsomely if you get them right. To make a smart trifecta bet, you need to do your research and consider multiple factors, such as the horses’ form, jockeys, and track conditions.
Superfecta Bets
For the ultimate thrill and reward, you can consider a superfecta bet. This is where you predict the first four horses to cross the finish line in the exact order. Superfecta bets are extremely difficult to get right, but they can pay off in the thousands of dollars. To place a successful superfecta bet, you need to be a savvy handicapper and consider every possible angle from the horses’ breeding to their jockey’s past performances.
Conclusion Betting at the Kentucky Derby can be both exhilarating and nerve-racking. But with these smart bets in your arsenal, you can increase your chances of winning and make the experience more enjoyable.
Be sure to do your research, examine the horse’s racing history, jockey record, and handicap rating, and choose the bet that best suits your risk tolerance. Remember, betting should remain fun, so don’t risk more than you can afford to lose.
Whether you choose to bet on the outright winner, place bets, exacta bets, trifecta bets, or superfecta bets, make sure that you have a solid strategy and budget in place.
Remember that betting on horse racing is all about having fun and enjoying the thrill of the game, so don’t let your emotions get the better of you.
