LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The Kentucky Derby isn't just a race. It's a tradition a party, and, for many, a chance to place a bet and maybe walk away with some extra cash in your pocket.
A betting window at Churchill Downs.Â
If you're heading to Churchill Downs this week and wondering how betting works, you're not alone. The language of horse racing — win, place, show, exacta, trifecta — can feel like its own dialect.
Some Derby-goers know their stuff. Others? Let's just say it's a learning experience.
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Whether you're a first-timer or looking to try something more advanced, here's a breakdown of the most common and fun ways to place a bet:
Basic Wagers (Straight Bets)
These are the simplest bets and the best place to start.
- Win:Â Your horse must finish 1st
- Place:Â Your horse must finish 1st or 2nd
- Show:Â Your horse must finish 1st, 2nd or 3rd
You can bet as little as $2 on any of these at Churchill Downs.
Across the Board
This is essentially three bets in one: win, place and show on the same horse.
If your horse wins, you collect on all three bets. If it finishes second, you get place and show payouts. Third place still earns you the show bet.
It's more expensive — a $2 across the board wager costs $6 total — but gives multiple chances to cash in.
Exotic Wagers (Exact Order Bets)
These involve predicting multiple horses' finishing order — and come with bigger risks and bigger payouts.
- Exacta: Pick the 1st and 2nd place horses in the correct order
- Trifecta: Pick the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place horses in exact order
- Superfecta: Pick the 1st through 4th place horses in exact order
Boxing a Bet
You can "box" exotic bets so your horses can finish in any order. For example, a trifecta box on horses 3-5-7 means any order of those three in the top three finishes will pay.
Boxing increases the cost but also your chances.
Slightly More Advanced Bets
These add strategy and give you more ways to win beyond a single race:
Quinella
Pick two horses to finish 1st and 2nd in any order. It's like a cheaper version of an exacta box.
Daily Double
Pick the winner of two consecutive races (usually races 1 & 2, or 5 & 6). If both win, you cash out.
Pick 3, Pick 4, Pick 5, Pick 6
These are multi-race wagers where you pick the winner of each race in a series. For example:
- Pick 3: Win three races in a row
- Pick 4: Win four races in a row
- Pick 5:Â Win five races in a row
- Pick 6: Win six races in a row
These are tough to hit, but can come with huge payouts for small bets.
How to Place a Bet
At the window, use this structure:
(Amount) on (Race Number), to (Type of Bet), on (Horse Number(s)).
Example: "Five dollars on race 11, to win, on number four."
Make sure you know your horse's program number — not just their name.
If you're using an automated machine or a mobile betting app at Churchill Downs, step-by-step guides are available on screen.
There's no right or wrong way to enjoy betting the Derby. Whether you're betting on bloodlines, jockeys, colors — or just a gut feeling — it's all part of the fun.
Even a $2 wager can make your heart race when the gates open.
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