Derby Superfecta
 

So each year I normally dump a bunch of money into the pick 5 ending in the derby. But I’ve been looking at superfecta payouts and it seems like they’re often higher than the pick 5 payout and I think easier to hit. Have I been doing this wrong? Should I dedicate that money to a superfecta wager instead?

You guys have any thoughts? What bets do you focus on for derby weekend?

Superfecta payouts are crazy in derby but impossible without big tickets in my opinion. I love the trifecta bet in this race. Payouts are great and if you can key a few horses in top three you can make some good cash. Good luck

Johnny D and his partner Will Schwartz use a 7-horse Super box in Derby every year and have hit many times.. $840, so $420 each.

You can also use 7 horses in a Super key for half as much (1x6x5x4, 6x1x5x4, 6x5x1x4, 6x5x4x1).. $120 for each leg with your key horse..

I'm 0-20

I strongly prefer the Pick 5 on these days. Superfectas in 10 horse fields are very difficult to hit let alone a 20 horse field. IMO if you can't afford the "ALL" button in the 4th spot then playing this wager is a total crapshoot. They all seem eligible to run 4th given the appropriate scenario. However, they all cannot win, no matter the scenario. I guess I just feel as though I have more control over picking winners throughout a sequence, not just stabbing at a 4th place finisher...

The Pick 5 payouts on these days can be fantastic even with solid singles. Honor Marie may end up 12-1, but will only be on about 2-4% of pick 5 plays. Getting to that race intact is another story all together but the idea is to pick your derby horse and get alive to him. Turn 12-1 into 120-1 and hope to be correct.

Best of luck no matter how you choose to play.

Thanks for the input, everyone.

I started really trying to put together a superfecta wager for around $200 and I found it really difficult…so I’m back on the Pick 5 and I think passing on the super. I may put together a couple trifecta wagers, which should pay decent enough.

I like the idea of boxing 7 horses (or a super keybox) but didn’t want to put $420-840 into a bet. Maybe next year if I build up my bankroll going into the Derby but I’ve barely bet this year.

Anyway, good luck all. I can’t move off Just A Touch, though his 3-race resume that includes only one race over 1 mile is concerning to me. Going to be keying him in a lot of bets.