Kentucky Derby Exotic Bets – Exacta, Trifecta, and Superfecta Picks
By Daniel Coyle in Horse Racing News
Updated: May 16, 2024 at 10:14 am EDTPublished:
- Zandon and Epicenter lead the way as best bets in the 2022 Kentucky Derby exacta wagering
- Mo Donegal, White Abarrio, Tiz the Bomb add value to trifecta, superfecta bets at this year’s Run for the Roses
- Read on for all the odds and trends ahead of the 148th running of the Kentucky Derby on Saturday evening at Churchill Downs
Zandon and Epicenter have set themselves apart as the favorites in Saturday evening’s running of the 148th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Listed as +300 chalk, Zandon is coming off his first career stakes race victory at the Blue Grass Stakes, while Epicenter’s five career wins have boosted the Steven Asmussen-trained colt to a strong +350 bet. But for sports betting fans looking to cash on a bigger payday, countless exotic betting options are available.
Here’s a look at some of the most intriguing exacta, trifecta, and superfecta ahead of Saturday’s Run for the Roses, along with key boxed picks to consider as you plan your Kentucky Derby betting strategy.
2022 Kentucky Derby Odds
| Horse | Post Position | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Zandon | 10 | +300 |
| Epicenter | 3 | +350 |
| Messier | 6 | +800 |
| Mo Donegal | 1 | +1000 |
| White Abarrio | 15 | +1000 |
| Taiba | 12 | +1200 |
| Smile Happy | 5 | +2000 |
| Crown Pride | 7 | +2000 |
| Charge It | 8 | +2000 |
| Simplification | 13 | +2000 |
| Cyberknife | 16 | +2000 |
| Zozos | 19 | +2000 |
| Happy Jack | 2 | +3000 |
| Summer Is Tomorrow | 4 | +3000 |
| Tiz the Bomb | 9 | +3000 |
| Pioneer of Medina | 11 | +3000 |
| Barber Road | 14 | +3000 |
| Classic Causeway | 17 | +3000 |
| Tawny Port | 18 | +3000 |
| Ethereal Road | 20 | +3000 |
Odds as of May 6 at TVG
Above you can see the odds for the Kentucky Derby contenders and Derby longshots which list Zandon and Epicenter as the clear favorites in the Kentucky Derby odds.
Zandon, Epicenter Obvious Exacta Picks
Currently engaged in a two-way race for the top of the Kentucky Derby odds, Zandon and Epicenter will be paired on countless Kentucky Derby exacta bets this weekend. But there is no shortage of other horses that could be paired with one of the favorites on an exacta that will provide a bigger payout.
ROBERT LEWIS STAKES G3
•MESSIER•
BOB BAFFERT
JOHN VELAZQUEZ pic.twitter.com/GTsccFSoKr— Claudia Spadaro (@ClaudiaSpadaro) February 7, 2022
Named after Mark Messier, the former NHL star, Messier has emerged as the closest competition to the two favorites on many horse racing sportsbook apps, trailing as a lucrative +800 wager. And with good reason. Sired by 2003 Belmont Stakes winner Empire Maker, Messier has finished no worse than second in six career races and earned the win at both the Robert B Lewis Stakes and last fall’s Bob Hope Stakes.
WHAT A COMEBACK! 🐎
Mo Donegal turned on the jets in the stretch to win the 97th Wood Memorial! pic.twitter.com/I3gcXbQdt3
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) April 9, 2022
Trained by two-time Kentucky Derby winner Todd Pletcher, Mo Donegal is coming off a thrilling comeback win running on the rail at the Wood Memorial that marked his third career victory. Sporting +1000 odds, Mo Donegal will have a chance to do it again from the inside after drawing the one-post in Saturday’s race.
Exacta Picks: Epicenter/Messier (boxed), Epicenter/Mo Donegal
Kentucky Derby Trifectas and Superfecta Predictions
With 20 horses in Saturday’s field, the potential trifecta and superfecta combinations available to sports bettors number in the hundreds of thousands. And with Zandon and Epicenter earning the right to be considered for inclusion on all tickets, the options quickly become clearer. However, regardless of the horses you choose to add to your exotic bets, be sure to set aside enough budget to box each of your picks when you’re considering how to bet on the Kentucky Derby. A boxed bet will allow for your horses to finish in any order within the top two, top three, or top four, versus needing them to finish in a specific order. In this instance, your Kentucky Derby exacta odds may not be as great, but your chances of winning will improve.
#3May White Abarrio road to glory #KyDerby @C2RacingStable / La Milagrosa Stable LLC
🎥 Video producer by @artilespascualf @GulfstreamPark @AnnouncerPete pic.twitter.com/SPgWKVsbLt
— Saffie Joseph Jr. (@SaffieJosephJr) May 3, 2022
In addition to Messier and Mo Donegal, two other ponies should not be overlooked by trifecta bettors. White Abarrio has captured attention with his good looks, but the gray and roan colt has also turned heads on the track on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. Trained by Saffie Joseph Jr. White Abarrio arrives at Churchill Downs as a +1000 bet after turning in sensational winning runs at both the Florida Derby and Holy Bull.
#Cyberknife takes the Arkansas Derby (G1) on the Road to the #KyDerby with @flothejock up for @bradcoxracing.
Watch the #TwinSpiresReplay 🎥 pic.twitter.com/vOrvadje6e
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) April 2, 2022
Sired by Gun Runner, who finished third in the 2016 Kentucky Derby, Cyberknife has shown steady improvement of late and is pegged as an attractive +2000 dark horse in the wake of his victory at the Arkansas Derby.
Tiz the Bomb, Tawny Port Worthy Sleeper Picks
Looking at one Kentucky Derby contender’s past performances, Tiz the Bomb has been the target of criticism for his weak seventh-place finish at the Holy Bull, and that is reflected in his position as a +3000 longshot in the Kentucky Derby odds. However, the Kenneth McPeek-trained colt showed outstanding form while subsequently charging to victory at both the John Battaglia Memorial and the Jeff Ruby Steaks.
Kentucky Derby Qualifiers – Beyers Speed Figure April 02nd:
TIZ THE BOMB – 94 (Jeff Ruby Stakes)
WHITE ABARRIO – 96 (Florida Derby G1)
CYBERKNIFE – 92 (Arkansas Derby G1)@KentuckyDerby #KentuckyDerby pic.twitter.com/yLjcRXSmw6
— Agentes305 (@agentes305) April 3, 2022
Tawny Port was overmatched in his stakes race debut, finishing fifth at the Risen Star. However, the Pioneer of the Nile progeny has since shown steady improvement, finishing second to Tiz the Bomb at the Jeff Ruby Steaks. He followed that up with a steady run, demonstrating impressive stamina while storming to a come-from-behind victory at the Lexington Stakes. Also pegged as a +3000 bet on Saturday, Tawny Port faces a daunting task to be the second horse in three years to win after starting from the 18-post. However, he offers good value for Trifecta and Superfecta bettors.
Trifecta Picks: Epicenter/Zandon/White Abarrio (boxed)
Superfecta Picks: Epicenter/White Abarrio/Tiz the Bomb/Mo Donegal (boxed)
Make all of your TVG Kentucky Derby picks this weekend after claiming the promo code below. Bet on Friday’s Kentucky Oaks, and read all of our 2022 Kentucky Derby predictions before placing your bets.
- Recent Form for 2022 Kentucky Derby Top Contenders
- Opening Odds to Win Kentucky Derby on May 2 After Post Position Draw
Sports Writer
Daniel has been writing about sports and sports betting for over 23 years. The seasoned pro has contributed to the likes of Sports Illustrated, Sportsnet, NESN, Bleacher Report, OddsShark, the Globe and Mail, and The Nation magazine.
