The best way to play the trifecta, superfecta, and exacta in any horse race, not just the Kentucky Derby, is to use a key horse. By using a key horse, you can ensure you control how much you invest into each ticket. Check out Kentucky Derby exacta, trifecta, and superfecta picks so you can get all set to place your bets against the Kentucky Derby Odds.
Horse Racing Odds: Kentucky Derby Trifecta, Superfecta & Exacta Betting Picks
2022 Kentucky Derby
- When: Saturday, May 7
- Where: Churchill Downs, Louisville, KY
- TV/Streaming: NBC / Peacock
Kentucky Derby Trifecta, Superfecta & Exacta Picks
- Derby Key Horse: 1-Mo Donegal
Mo Donegal is the perfect key horse. The Uncle Mo sired and Wood Memorial winning runner should have no trouble breaking from post-position 1 now that Churchill Downs has ditched the auxiliary gate and gone to a single gate.
Mo will break about 3 to 4 paths away from the rail. So jockey Irad Ortiz Jr., who has yet to win the Kentucky Derby, should have no trouble getting the Todd Pletcher trainee into a good position around the first turn.
- Derby Exacta Play: 3-Epicenter, 6-Messier, 10-Zandon, 12-Taiba
Epicenter and Zandon are the two chalks. Both have run great heading into the race. It makes sense to add both favorites to your exacta ticket.
Messier and Taiba finished second and first in the Santa Anita Derby. Both can win this race.
Exacta Betting Tips
Make sure to reverse your exacta bet for less. So if you play a $6 exacta with your key horse on top of 3 other horses, reverse for $4, $3, or $2. By reverse we mean place your 3 horses in first slot with your key horse in second.
Kentucky Derby Trifecta Play
- Trifecta Slot 1: 1-Mo Donegal
- Trifecta Slot 2: 3-Epicenter, 6-Messier, 10-Zandon, 12-Taiba
- Trifecta Slot 3: 3-Epicenter, 6-Messier, 8-Charge It, 10-Zandon, 11-Pioneer of Medina, 12-Taiba, 13-Simplification, 19-Zozos
Add no more than 4 other horses in your trifecta. You could decide to push the all button in the trifecta, but it’s going to cost more than you realize because there are 4 horses in slot 2.
By adding just 4 horses, you can keep your investment low. The four horses we like on our ticket are Charge It, the Tapit sired runner that finished in the Florida Derby, Pioneer of Medina, which trainer Todd Pletcher believes can step it up on May 7, Simplification, who can run close to the pace or well off, and Zozos, who should be a part of the pace and will have a shot to finish in the tri as they turn for home.
Trifecta Betting Tips
How many trifecta tickets you play depends on how much you like your key horse. If you love your key horse, go for it by placing your key horse in all 3 trifecta slots.
If you’re not so sure, keep your money in your pocket or play a single trifecta ticket with your horse on top and hope for the best.
Kentucky Derby Superfecta Play
- Superfecta Slot 1: Mo Donegal
- Superfecta Slot 2: 3-Epicenter, 6-Messier, 10-Zandon, 12-Taiba
- Superfecta Slot 3: 3-Epicenter, 6-Messier, 10-Zandon, 12-Taiba
- Superfecta Slot 4: 3-Epicenter, 6-Messier, 8-Charge It, 10-Zandon, 11-Pioneer of Medina, 12-Taiba, 13-Simplification, 19-Zozos
Superfecta Betting Tips
When it comes to the Kentucky Derby, it’s best to play a single super ticket. Playing more than one can cost you more money than you may want to invest.
Hitting the super is ultra-difficult in a race with 20 horses. So don’t overthink it, roll with the ponies you like to fill out your trifecta, use your exacta key horse and cross your fingers.
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Kentucky Derby | Grade I race
"The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports"
"The Run for the Roses"
Race information
Race type | Thoroughbred |
---|---|
Distance | 1+1⁄4 miles (10 furlongs; 2 km) |
Record | 1:59.40, Secretariat (1973,1+1⁄4 miles) 2:34.50, Spokane (1889,1+1⁄2 miles) |
Surface | Dirt |
Track |
Left-handed |
Qualification | 3-year-old |
Weight | Colt/Gelding: 126 lbs (57.2 kg) Filly: 121 lb (55 kg) |
Purse | US$3 million 1st: $1,860,000 |
Kentucky Derby Betting Center
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