Kentucky Derby Odds – Show
The last of the straight bets in horse racing is the bet for show. When you bet on a horse to show, you’re betting that he will finish somewhere in the top three. It can be a much less risky bet than win or place, but it also comes with the smallest reward.
Let’s take a look at the payouts from an example race: the Holy Bull at Gulfstream Park on January 25, 2014. Cairo Prince crossed the finish line in first place, paying out at $6.20 to win, $4.40 to place and $3.20 to show. That’s including your original standard $2 wager. The second-place horse, Conquest Titan, paid $8.60 to place and $4.80 to show. The third-place finisher, named Intense Holiday, paid out at a solid $6.40 to show.
There are two main approaches when you bet on a horse to show. If third place is in a horse’s range of likely finishes, it’ll generally be at the bottom end of the horse’s range (i.e. he usually finishes third or better) or at the top end (i.e. he usually finishes third or worse). In the former case, picking a strong horse to show is an easy way to hedge your bet. The latter case allows you to bet on a horse that you would normally never consider for a win bet or a place bet.
Consider one of the early races on this year’s Road to the Kentucky Derby: the Champagne Stakes at Belmont Park on October 5, 2013. Prior to that race, Ride on Curlin had placed fourth, first and second in his previous three races. These results could justify betting Ride on Curlin to show at the Champagne, which he did. He crossed the line third, to pay out at $5.90. No bronze medals included with your cash.