There are few races that can match the excitement levels of the Kentucky Derby. The opening race of the Triple Crown season takes place soon, as the best three-year-olds in training in the United States look to join the legendary winners of the famous race in years gone by.
When is the 2022 Kentucky Derby? It’s happening on the 7th of May this year, so make sure to mark it in the calendar.
Like every year, the Kentucky Derby captures the imagination of all bettors regardless of their experience level, and that will be the case once again. However, if you’re a beginner looking to make a wager on the race at Churchill Downs, what is the best kind of bet to make?
Keep it simple
If you are nervous about making a bet on the Kentucky Derby and feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of markets available, then it may be best placed to stick to the win market. This is the most straightforward of the wagers available, as bets are simply placed on the horse that you believe will win the race.
If the selection that you have made crosses the line first, then the returns will be added to your account after the final decision from the stewards has been made. For example, if you place a bet on Forbidden Kingdom at 8/1, then you will get $90 in returns from a $10 wager. The $10 wager will be returned, as well as the $80 that is your winnings from the bet.
Betting at higher prices
If you like the look of a horse at bigger odds but don’t want to place a win wager because you want to get some returns, then the each-way or place markets may be best suited. The each-way market covers both the win and place wagers, and a $5 bet is a total wager of $10, as it covers two different markets. This is a preferred option for many when it comes to betting on the big race, as there is a big field of runners, and the majority have a chance.
Place betting is also extremely popular when it comes to the Kentucky Derby, as the leading bookmakers tend to offer extra places in order to get custom from players. That means you should shop around to see if you can get more places elsewhere before making your bet, as you would rather get six places if you’re making this type of bet than just the traditional four.
Can I bet on more than one horse?
Due to the field size often being 20 for the Kentucky Derby, it’s often the case that those betting on it will cover more than one base. This will immediately increase your chances of gaining returns on the wager, as you will have two chances of getting a winner. However, if you’re placing both bets on the win market, then there’s no chance that both of the wagers can be winners. But, if you place one win and one each-way bet, then you could end up having two winning bets.
Some gamblers will also look to find the winners of both the Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby and put them into a double. This will offer greater returns, as you will need to get both winners correct in order to get the winnings, but it will ensure that you’re able to raise your interest in both days of racing at Churchill Downs. There is also the option to put the double in an each-way bet, which means that should your first selection come second, then your bet will still be alive for the feature race of the season.
