All eyes will be on Churchill Downs on Saturday, May 6th, as the runners head to post for the 149th Kentucky Derby.
The best three-year-old horses in the US will aim to add their name to the historical role of past winners, including Secretariat, America Pharaoh, and Justify.
Last year saw a massive shock in Louisville as Rich Strike became the second-highest-priced winner of the Kentucky Derby when winning at odds of 80/1.
Will there be another shock winner this year, or will the winner come from one of the favorites, such as the Todd Pletcher-trained Forte, who currently heads the betting for the race?
With this year’s race fast approaching, here are some Kentucky Derby 2023 betting tips you should follow in the hope of landing the winner of the race proclaimed as ‘The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports.’
Keep it Simple
A wide range of betting markets are available on the Kentucky Derby, ranging from win, place, and show to exotics such as a Quinella or Superfecta to trainer and jockey specials.
It can seem daunting, so the best option is to keep things simple and stick with the win market. In addition, this type of wager is the simplest form of betting on the Kentucky Derby, and it involves you placing a bet on the horse you believe will win the race.
Your bet is a winner if your chosen horse comes home first at Churchill Downs, and you will receive winnings back based on the odds that your horse was.
For example, if you placed $10 on the winning horse at odds of 6/1, you would collect $70 – $60 in winnings plus your original $10 stake.
Bet on More than One Horse
With 20 horses typically heading to post for the Kentucky Derby, people frequently place more than one bet on the race in the hope of landing a winner.
Some people will place three or four win bets, while others may place a winning bet on one horse and a place and show bet on other horses.
Place and show bets return a profit if the selected horse is 2nd or 3rd in the race. These types of bets are particularly popular on horses that are at bigger odds in the betting.
Use Stats and Analysis
Stats and analysis can provide great insight into the Kentucky Derby and help you narrow down what horses you wish to place a wager on.
Below you will find some key 2023 Kentucky Derby trends to keep in mind:
- Six of the last 10 Derby were won by the favorite, but last year showed that a big-riced winner can come in also when Rich Strike won at 80/1.
- Jockey John Velazquez and Victor Espinoza have won the race twice in the last 10 renewals.
- Post position isn’t significant – the last five winners came from boxes 20, 7, 15, 19, and 7.
- All 10 of the last winners had run within the previous seven weeks before the Kentucky Derby.
Check Out Opinions
Whether you’re a novice gambler or an experienced pro, checking horse racing experts’ options on the Kentucky Derby is always worthwhile.
Racing experts spend vast amounts of time analyzing each horse set to run in the Kentucky Derby, providing valuable insight for you to check against.
It’s not advisable to wager on every horse an expert likes in the race, but it allows you to see their view on your chosen horses.
Have Fun
Many people win big at the Kentucky Derby by randomly picking a horse. This can involve selecting a lucky number, choosing a jockey silk color they like, or simply picking a horse based on its name.
Like all forms of gambling, though, placing a bet on the Kentucky Derby should be fun and never seen as a way to try and win money. Remember only to wager money that you’re willing to lose.
Look for Odds Boosts and Promos
Being such a famous race, many sportsbooks will offer enhanced odds and special promotions on the Kentucky Derby, so keep an eye out for any that might add some betting value to your wagers.