How our Strategy Led to a Winning Derby Exacta Wager

by Jim Freer

Inside Florida Horse Racing Hits Derby Exacta

Sunday, May 4  - Anyone who followed  Inside Florida Horse Racing’s advice posted yesterday hit the pricey exacta wager in Saturday’s Kentucky Derby

The combination of California Chrome and second-place finisher Commanding Curve paid $340 on a $2 bet and  $170 on a $1 bet.

That was part of our $1 exacta box  with five horses, for a $20 bet.  The horses were Danza, California Chrome, Dance With Fate, Commanding Curve and Ride on Curlin.

That was our main selection, among three $1 exactas - our only recommended bets. The other two bets, for $12 and $10,  did not have the winning combination.

Our total recommended outlay of $42 produced a payoff of $170 - a four-fold return on investment.

California Chrome was the 5-2 favorite in  the 19-horse field.  Commanding Curve was sent off at 37-1, the third highest odds  in the race.

California Chrome and Dance With Fate were our two key horses. Commanding  Curve was among several horses that we thought would be passing tired rivals in the stretch.

Commanding Curve proved us correct.   He rallied from 18^th after a half mile and finished within 1 ¾ lengths of California Chrome.

The first four finishers were: California Chrome,  Commanding Curve,  Danza and Wicked Strong.

Our  prediction  was: Dance With Fate, California Chrome, Ride on Curlin and Commanding  Curve.  They finished sixth, first, seventh  and second respectively.

 Danza and Wicked Strong were the top finishers among the nine Kentucky Derby horses that ran at Gulfstream Park this season.

On Monday, we will review the performance of Florida  horses in this year’s Kentucky Derby and take an early look at the Preakness Stakes that will be run May 17th at Pimlico in Baltimore.