One never knows what a $2 win bet will produce at the Kentucky Derby. With such a huge field totaling as many as 20 3-year-olds, you’ll get some solid favorites who deliver and many more longshots coming through at their one shot at racing glory.
Country House
Over the past five years, the payoff on a $2 win bet on the Derby winner averaged a whopping $74.76!
Of course, two of the three biggest payoffs in Kentucky Derby history occurred in 2019 and 2022.
In 2019, Country House returned $132.40 to his backers. It took a while, though, since Maximum Security finished first, but was disqualified for interference about a half-hour later, and runner-up Country House was declared the official winner.
In 2022, Rich Strike returned $163.60 with a stunning win after getting into the field the day before the race as an also eligible when Ethereal Road was scratched.
In the five years previous, from 2014-2018, the average payoff on a $2 win bet was a paltry $8.12. Of course, two of the winners – American Pharoah ($7.80) and Justify ($7.80) – went on to win the Triple Crown.
As for exotics:
$2 exacta: The highest was $9,814.80 in 2005 (Giacomo/Closing Argument); the lowest was $15.20 in 1989 (Sunday Silence/Easy Goer)
$2 trifecta: The highest was $133,134.80 in 2005 (Giacomo/Closing Argument/Afleet Alex); the lowest was $202.00 in 2015 (American Pharoah/Firing Line/Dortmund)
$1 superfecta: The highest was $864,253.00 in 2005 (Giacomo/Closing Argument/Afleet Alex/ Don’t Get Mad); the lowest was $350.00 in 1997 (Silver Charm/Captain Bodgit/Free House/Pulpit.
A look at the highest and lowest $2 win bet payoffs:
HIGHEST
$184.90, Donerail (1913)
$163.60, Rich Strike (2022)
$132.40, Country House (2019)
$103.20, Mine That Bird (2009)
$102.60, Giacomo (2005)
$72.40, Gallahadion (1940)
$64.60 Charismatic (1999)
$62.20, Proud Clarion (1967)
$61.20, Exterminator (1918)
$51.80, Dark Star (1953)
LOWEST
$2.80, Count Fleet (1943)
$2.80, Citation (1948)
$3.00, Seattle Slew (1977)
$3.20, Johnstown (1939)
$3.20, Spectacular Bid (1979)
$3.60, Worth (1912)
$3.70, Old Rosebud (1914)
$3.76, Twenty Grand (1931)
$4.20 Hill Gail (1952)
$4.36, Gallant Fox (1930)