One benefit of no long betting lines at Churchill Downs for this year’s Kentucky Derby is the new 10-cent minimum superfecta wager track officials instituted for this year’s Derby.
Previous, the minimum superfecta wager – one requiring bettors to pick the first four horses in order – was $1. When you play host to more than 150,000 people on one day, you seek all ways to keep betting lines moving.
That won’t be an issue this year. Churchill Downs officials announced Tuesday a maximum of 23,000 fans will be allowed inside for this year’s Derby. America’s most storied race was postponed from May 5 to Sept. 5 due to the coronavirus.
Minimums for other bets are equally bankroll-friendly. Trifectas, Pick-3, Pick-4, and Pick-5 bets start at 50 cents. The “Single-6†pick-6 sports a 20-cent minimum. Daily Doubles and Super High-5, where bettors pick the first five places, carry a $1 minimum. The basic exacta remains $2, although exacta boxes and wheels are $1.
Super-Sized Superfecta Payouts
But it’s the superfecta minimum drawing the most attention. That’s because hitting a Derby superfecta can be the difference between a nice day at the track and a life-changing one. Led by the $432,127 payout for 50/1 Giacomo’s win in 2005 and 2009’s $278,503 windfall for 50/1 Mine that Bird’s victory, this century featured some of the most eye-popping Derby superfecta payouts.
You don’t have to go back that far to find three of them. Last year’s Derby superfecta – headlined by 65/1 Country House’s elevation to the top spot – paid bettors $51,400. Two years ago illustrated the kind of difference a superfecta can make. Justify’s victory headlined a $142 trifecta. But when 90/1 Instilled Regard sneaked into fourth, superfecta bettors cashed tickets for $19,619.
Top 21st Century Kentucky Derby Superfecta Payouts
| Year | Winner | Superfecta Payout |
| 2005 | Giacomo | $432,127 |
| 2009 | Mine That Bird | $278,503 |
| 2010 | Super Saver | $101,285 |
| 2002 | War Emblem | $91,765 |
| 2017 | Animal Kingdom | $75,975 |
| 2001 | Monarchos | $62,987 |
| 2019 | Country House | $51,400 |
| 2012 | I’ll Have Another | $48,046 |
| 2006 | Barbaro | $42,430 |
In 2017, 33/1 Lookin at Lee followed 9/2 winner Animal Kingdom across the finish line. Battle of Midway finished third – at 40/1. Even with 4/1 favorite Classic Empire finishing fourth, that combo set the table for a $75,975 superfecta.
Highlighted by a $101,285 payout in 2010, Derby superfectas paid at least five figures seven times in the last decade. Only twice did superfecta winners cash tickets for less than $1,000: American Pharoah’s victory in 2015 ($634) and Nyquist’s the following year ($542).