How To Bet $25 On The Kentucky Derby Online at TVG Michigan

Please proceed to the main content.

Written By Paul Costanzo on May 6, 2024Last Updated on February 13, 2024
Kentucky Derby Betting

No matter what, you’re determined to enjoy the Kentucky Derby as you’ve blended a mint julep, adorned a wild hat, and bravely donned a pair of pants that would usually be reserved for indoor use only.

However, residing in Michigan grants you the opportunity to participate in legal online horse betting, allowing you to enhance your day, even if it is just by a small margin.

In order to assist you in achieving that, we have devised a strategy to make the most of your Kentucky Derby betting this Saturday by utilizing relatively small stakes of $25.

Please be advised that the author’s expertise lies in selecting the perfect bourbon for your mint julep, rather than accurately predicting the outcome of a horse race.

[table]

How to watch the 2024 Kentucky Derby

  • What: 2024 Kentucky Derby
  • When: Saturday, May 7
  • The location is Churchill Downs, situated in Louisville, Kentucky.
  • Race Surface: Dirt
  • The length of the race is 1 and 1/4 miles or 10 furlongs.
  • Time of posting: 6:57 p.m. ET
  • Broadcast: NBC
  • Online viewing: Peacock
  • The Pre-Race coverage will be aired on USA Network from 12 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., followed by NBC at 2:30 p.m.
  • The weather forecast predicts temperatures in the low 70s with a 30% possibility of showers during the afternoon.

How to bet the Kentucky Derby online at TVG Michigan

If you are interested in horse racing, you will not find it among the options provided by Michigan’s 15 online sportsbooks. Therefore, the initial step you should take, if you haven’t already, is to create an account with an application that does provide this service.

In Michigan, TVG stands as the biggest online betting app exclusively for horse racing. In anticipation of the Derby, they have an enticing offer specifically tailored for new customers.

Begin by creating a new account and entering the promo code LSRDERBY. Afterward, make your initial deposit and proceed to place your first win-type bet on any race at any track. This bet will be completely risk-free, with a maximum coverage of $200. In the event that your bet does not succeed, you will receive the equivalent amount in site credit within a 24-hour timeframe.

The promotion will only consider the portion of a wager that falls under win/place, win/show, or win/place/show.

Online betting on horse racing is also accessible in Michigan through TwinSpires and Xpressbet.

Making a win bet

If you’re a newcomer to the world of horse race betting, it may appear complex. However, you can simplify your understanding by referring to our guide, which outlines various wagering options available. Check out the guide here.

However, placing a “win” bet is uncomplicated. All you have to do is choose a horse that you believe will emerge victorious.

The odds are subject to change before the race since you are betting against other bettors, not the house. However, for the purpose of this explanation, let’s assume that Zandon is the favorite with morning line odds of 3-1, and we’ll pretend that these odds remain the same at post time (although they won’t). If you place a win bet on Zandon and he emerges victorious, you would receive a payout equal to three times your wager, plus the original stake.

The odds are quite favorable for a bettor to wager on the favorite, but where’s the thrill in betting on the obvious choice?

I immediately focused on White Abarrio due to its intriguing name and the favorable 10-1 morning line odds. While not considered a longshot, there’s a good chance that a victory would yield a satisfying reward.

Choosing the fifth-most costly bottle from a high-end restaurant’s wine menu is akin to a situation where you lack full comprehension of what you’re selecting. Nonetheless, you consciously avoid opting for the priciest choice while also steering clear from the cheapest one. Although not advisable, I trust you grasp the concept.

Regardless, I bet $10 on White Abarrio.

If my confidence in a horse were lower, similar to a mediocre bottle of wine, I could consider placing a bet for it to either place or show. A place bet would be successful if the horse finishes in either first or second place, while a show bet would pay out if the horse finishes in first, second, or third place. However, it’s important to note that the payouts for these bets are reduced.

Boxing a trifecta

After making my decision on the winner, I am beginning to experience a slight arrogance.

I have a strong hunch about the top three finishers, but I’m not entirely certain about their exact ranking. Therefore, I will be placing a boxed trifecta bet.

If the top three horses consist of the ones I’ve selected in any order, my bet will be successful. I currently have $15 left out of my initial $25, so I plan to choose at least four horses with a minimum wager of $0.50 each, resulting in a total bet of $12.

How come a bet of $0.50 ends up costing $12? Well, when you choose four horses, there are 24 potential winning combinations, and they are charging me $0.50 for each one. As you increase the number of horses, your expenses rise, but your winnings remain unchanged.

Why exactly are four horses included in a trifecta? Well, it provides me with a certain level of flexibility. In case one of the horses I select underperforms, the remaining ones still have the opportunity to secure a win for me by finishing in the top three positions.

I’m placing a trifecta box bet on Zandon, Epicenter, White Abarrio, and Tiz The Bomb. This combination consists of the top two favorites (Zandon and Epicenter), my personal favorite (White Abarrio), and a longshot with odds of 30-1 (Tiz The Bomb).

If the top three favorites are included, the payout won’t be significant, but I’ll still receive something in return. However, if Tiz The Bomb manages to secure a place in the top three, the payout will significantly increase.

Placing a Super High Five bet

I only have $3 left, how can I make the most of it?

Naturally, featuring the most impressive wager available, we have the incredibly exciting Super High Five.

You don’t tackle this task while playing with friends during recess. No, this involves selecting the top five finishers in a specific order. Is it impossible? Perhaps. Is it worth it if you win? Definitely, as it can be highly rewarding.

If my $3 Super High Five bet had won in 2015 (considering the example year provided on the Derby’s official site), I would have received a payout of $6,658.30. This implies that my initial $3 wager would have grown to nearly $20,000.

This is akin to winning a risky parlay. As evidenced by my previous wine analogy, I am not well-versed in Kentucky Derby betting. However, if I’m taking a big risk, I’m not overly concerned about choosing an unlikely contender. Even a relatively predictable race will yield a substantial payout if I correctly predict the Super High Five.

Although it’s quite unpredictable, I made a $3 bet on the following horses: 1. Epicenter, 2. Zandon, 3. Messier, 4. White Abarrio, and 5. Mo Donegal.

Kentucky Derby 2024 morning line odds

These are the participants, their assigned starting positions, and the predicted odds for the 2024 Kentucky Derby.

Post Position Horse Odds
1 Mo Donegal 10-1
2 Happy Jack 30-1
3 Epicenter 7-2
4 Summer Is Tomorrow 30-1
5 Smile Happy 20-1
6 Messier 8-1
7 Crown Pride 20-1
8 Charge It 20-1
9 Tiz the Bomb 30-1
10 Zandon 3-1
11 Pioneer of Medina 30-1
12 Taiba 12-1
13 Simplification 20-1
14 Barber Road 30-1
15 White Abarrio 10-1
16 Cyberknife 20-1
17 Classic Causeway 30-1
18 Tawny Port 30-1
19 Zozos 20-1
20 Ethereal Road 30-1