Many of you may not know that it’s not just about win, place and show pari-mutual betting or exoxtic wagers such as exacta, trifecta and superfecta when betting the Kentucky Derby.. If you sign up for an online wagering account at an online race book such as Bovada Race Book you can place wagers on horses versus horses.
This is a unique wager in that your horse doesn’t necessarily have to hit the board for you to win. In theory your horse could finish second last and as long as the horse that your horse was matched against finished last, you’d still cash your ticket!
The 2012 Derby has a full field of 20 going to the post and has arguably five horses that could be considered the top contenders. That makes the horse match-ups wagers even more enticing from a value stand point. If after doing your due diligence on the race, you feel that one or more of the top rated horses is a toss or you find a few mid to long range morning line horses that you think are unvalued you should be able to find a few match-ups that you could pounce on.
Our 2012 Kentucky Derby Matchup Picks
El Padrino -150 vs. Went The Day Well
El Padrino has seen his beyers drop over the last two after a career top of 100 in his season opener. While we don’t expect him to challenge for the top places in the Derby, he has proved to be consistent in his career with a 4th by 3 his worst finish. Went The Day Well is coming of his career top and while he is improving, he is making a massive jump up in competition and could regress off of his beyer top.
Take Charge Indy +105 vs. I’ll Have Another
The race pace doesn’t appear to set up well for I’ll Have Another. He definitely can’t be considered the speed of the speed and will be hard used if he goes for the lead from post 19. Take Charge Indy has shown a versatile running style with solid races on the front, pressing and tracking. His speed figures suggest that he could pop in this race.
Here are all the 2012 Kentucky Derby Match Ups with odds from Bovada.
4. Union Rags -145
6. Bodemeister +115
5. Dullahan +130
15. Gemologist -160
8. Creative Cause -120
19. I’ll Have Another -110
3. Take Charge Indy -140
10. Daddy Nose Best +110
11. Alpha -115
14. Hansen -115
1. Daddy Long Legs -110
16. El Padrino -120
13. Went The Day Well -155
17. Done Talking +125
2. Optimizer +115
18. Sabercat -145
9. Trinniberg +115
12. Prospective -145
7. Rousing Sermon EVEN
20. Liaison -130
3. Take Charge Indy EVEN
14. Hansen -130
13. Went The Day Well +120
16. El Padrino -150
6. Bodemeister -140
15. Gemologist +110
4. Union Rags -160
5. Dullahan +130
3. Take Charge Indy -110
8. Creative Cause -120
11. Alpha -160
16. El Padrino +130
8. Creative Cause -150
14. Hansen +120
5. Dullahan -165
16. El Padrino +135
3. Take Charge Indy +105
19. I’ll Have Another -135
18. Sabercat -180
20. Liaison +150
7. Rousing Sermon -205
17. Done Talking +165
