Top Horses and Betting Options to Consider in Kentucky Derby 2

Many sports bettors are closely watching sportsbooks today because of the upcoming Kentucky Derby, the first race that makes up the Triple Crown Series, along with Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes. It is the longest-running annual sports event in the world, with an illustrious history and a large number of spectators worldwide.

Betting on a widely-celebrated sports event can be overwhelming. Fortunately, bettors can find plenty of resources on the internet today. But if you want a condensed version of those lengthy betting guides you can find online, consider yourself lucky because we have prepared one for you.

Types of Bet

There is an extensive selection to choose from different betting platforms. You can find the Kentucky Derby on Fanduel and choose from the following wagers categorized into straight and exotic bets.

Straight Bets

Straight bets are also known as single bets, meaning a single wager on an event. The following are the types of straight bets in the Kentucky Derby:

Win- In this type of bet, you should pick a horse to finish first in the race. You win the bet if your horse completes the race as the first placer.

Place: You should pick a horse to finish either first or second. If the horse secured the first two positions in the final order of finish, you win the bet.

Show: You should pick a horse to place first, second, or third in the race. This yields a lower payout but is simpler to win than the first two bets.

Win/Place- This is a combination of two wagers. One is to win, and the other one is to place. If your horse wins the race, you can cash out both tickets, but if your horse only placed second, you only get to claim winnings for the place bet.

Show/Place- This is another combination of two separate bets. One is to show, and the other one is to place. You can claim cashouts for both tickets if your horse places first and second, but if the horse comes in third in the final order of finish, you only get to claim rewards for the show bet.

Across the Board- This is a combination of win-place-show bets. With an across-the-board bet, you can potentially receive hefty cashouts, especially if your horse wins the race.

Exotic Bets

This type of bet involves betting on multiple horses in a single race or across multiple races. Here are the types of bets under this category:

Exacta: You must pick two horses to finish first or second in the race, in exact order.

Quinella: This is the same as the regular exacta, only that the two horses you've picked can place either first or second in the race.

Trifecta: You should pick three horses to place first, second, and third, in the race, in exact order.

Superfecta- You should pick four horses to place first, second, third, and fourth in the final order of finish, in exact order.

Note that you can "box" these exotic bets, which means you can bet on a specific number of horses (as required by the type of bet) in any order.

How to Bet Onsite

If you're used to the old-school betting where you can interact with an in-person teller, you can just stick with the traditional practice and place your bets at Churchill Downs. The first detail you must mention to the teller is the name of the race, the amount of bet, the type of bet, and the horses' program numbers.

Before leaving the window, double-check if the details on your ticket are correct. Also, store the ticket in a safe and secure place that you can access immediately.

Top Horses in the Race

Every horse racing event has its early favorites, even a few months away from the race. In the Kentucky Derby 2023, the following horses are dominating the leaderboards:

Forte

Forte is a brown colt sired by Violence out of Queen Caroline. He won the Breeders' Futurity at Keeneland, Grade I Hopeful Stakes, and Breeders' Cup Juvenile. Todd Pletcher, a U.S. Racing Hall of Fame trainer, drills this colt.

Angel of Empire

This three-year-old colt is sired by Classic Empire out of Armony's Angel. He has raced for Albaugh Family Stables LLC under trainer Brad Cox. Angel of Emppire's notable wins includes the 2023 Arkansas Derby (G1) and the 2023 Risen Star (G2).

Two Phil's

Sired by Hard Spun out of Mia Torri, Two Phil's has become one of the most threatening names in the Kentucky Derby 2023. He has been racing for Patricia's Hope stable and was trained by Larry Rivelli. He previously conquered and dominated the 2022 Shakopee Juvenile Stakes (LS), 2022 Street Sense (G3), and the 2023 Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3).

Conclusion

As the "Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports," it's no surprise that the Kentucky Derby is heavily wagered every season. With many betting sites online, Kentucky Derby's betting volume is expected to grow exponentially in the coming years. This annual betting event is more than just a social gathering of horse racing enthusiasts. It's an affair deeply rooted in American culture that has grown to become a global phenomenon.