My Derby BetsCommon Wagers
| Bet | What it means | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Win | Your horse must finish 1st. | $2 on #4 to Win. |
| Place | Your horse must finish 1st or 2nd. | $2 on #4 to Place. |
| Show | Your horse must finish 1st, 2nd, or 3rd. | $2 on #4 to Show. |
| Exacta | Pick the 1st and 2nd in order. | $1 Exacta 4–7. |
| Trifecta | Pick the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in order. | $0.50 Trifecta 4–7–2. |
| Superfecta | Pick the top 4 in order. | $0.10 Super 4–7–2–5. |
Understanding Odds
Odds like 5/2 or 3-1 indicate potential profit relative to your stake. Decimal odds (e.g., 4.50) show total return per unit bet.
- Fractional to Decimal:
(numerator/denominator) + 1 - Potential Profit:
stake × (fraction)
Ticket Examples
- $2 Win on #3 at 3‑1 → profit $6, total return $8.
- $1 Exacta Box (2,3,5) covers all finishing orders for those three horses (6 combos).
- $0.50 Trifecta Key 4 over (2,3,5) over (2,3,5) reduces cost while keying your top pick.
Tip: Set a budget and pre‑write your tickets to avoid impulse decisions at the window or app.