As well as being the most exciting two minutes in sports, the Kentucky Derby can also be the most profitable 120 seconds for bettors who are able to pinpoint the correct runners to fill out a Trifecta or Superfecta.
In 2021, a $1 trifecta of MEDINA SPIRIT (12-1), MANDALOUN (26-1) and HOT ROD CHARLIE (5-1) paid $1,696.90. The 2-1 favorite, ESSENTIAL QUALITY running 4th resulted in a $1 Superfecta payoff of $9,456.40.
The 2022 Derby appears to be wide-open, so similar payoffs can be expected.
Prep Winners EPICENTER, ZANDON, TAIBA, MO DONEGAL, WHITE ABARRIO, along with Santa Anita Derby runner-up MESSIER are likely to be the top six choices in the Kentucky Derby.
Though the Winner is likely to come from this group, do not be surprised if at least a couple of the remaining entrants hit the board at double-digit odds.
Here’s three that will likely add a lot of Value to your exotic tickets.
CHARGE IT: This well-bred son of TAPIT is coming out of a 2nd place finish in the Florida Derby (G1). He was asked to step into Grade 1 competition in start No. 3 off of a Maiden Win and could have Won if he did not race greenly throughout. The Todd Pletcher trainee did not get away very well, took dirt on the inside and lugged in the stretch. At multiple points in the race, it looked like the young colt would throw in the towel. But he just kept grinding away like a horse who would relish the extra distance in the Derby. His upside is as big as any 3-year-old in the field, and the horse and his connections learned plenty in the Florida Derby, all of which will be very beneficial next Saturday.
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ZOZOS: This Brad Cox 3-year-old continues the theme of high-upside runners who are underappreciated. Despite his inexperience, he showed sharp speed in the Louisiana Derby (G2) and dug in before being run down by EPICENTER. While EPICENTER might very well Win the Derby if ZOZOS can stay within three lengths of him once again, he likely will hit the board. It is rare to get more than 20-1 on a Brad Cox runner, but as MANDALOUN showed last year, it seems to be a good idea to trust the Eclipse Award-Winning trainer.
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CROWN PRIDE: We have previously talked about steering clear of international runners in the Kentucky Derby, but Japan has had an impressive stretch of success in the biggest races around the world over the past year and this runner has some intriguing qualities. If you toss his muddy track effort, his form is spotless, with three easy Wins in as many starts. He was finishing with plenty of gusto in the UAE Derby (G2) and he showed that the Derby distance should be no problem. Don’t be surprised if this import outruns his odds, and rounds out the tail end of Trifecta and Superfecta wagers.
Post Positions for this year’s Kentucky Derby will be drawn on Monday, as Derby week kicks-off in Louisville.
