How To Bet Kentucky Derby Week at Churchill Downs

While national countdowns zero in on the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands on Saturday, May 6, at Churchill Downs, Kentucky handicappers and horsemen have already shifted their focus to beneath the Twin Spires as the Louisville track's spring-summer meeting begins Saturday, April 29.

The 11-race nighttime card kicks off Derby-Oaks week with racing Saturday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. The wagering menu for each day is available at the Churchill Downs website, and Brisnet.com has handicapping information.

As seen below, the track played pretty fair in the meetings following last year's spring-summer stand with maybe even a slight bias toward off the pace in two-turn races (best style E/P and only 18% gate-to-wire winners). Turf routes are especially more pronounced in this regard with a "P" running style being favored and only 6% front-running victories.

An 11-race card means two Pick 5s (races 2 & 7), three Pick 4s (races 1, 4, & 8), and the usual rolling Pick 3s and doubles. Check TwinSpires.com's family of social media channels (@TwinSpires, @EJXD2, & @Brisnet) for selections ana analysis.

CHURCHILL DOWNS AT A GLANCE
Avg. Winning Odds: 5.21 - 1
Favorite Win%: 38%, Favorite Itm%: 71%
EXOTICS	PAYOFF
Exacta	91.91
Daily Double	93.27
Trifecta	616.30
Pick 3	719.81
Superfecta	4,933.30
Pick 4	5,570.90
Pick 5	36,522.50
Pick 6 Jackpot	110,124.68
Super High Five	16,267.45

TRACK BIAS MEET(09/16 - 11/27) Distance # Race % Wire Best Style Best Posts   6.0fDirt 86 24% E Rail/Ins   7.0fDirt 35 23% P Rail/Ins   1 MileDirt 48 23% S Rail/Ins   1 1/16mDirt 56 18% E/P Outside   Turf Sprint 8 25% S Middle   Turf Routes 47 6% P Outside