Making Money Betting California Chrome

California Chrome is coming into the race after a win streak that includes the Santa Anita Derby. (Photos by Eclipse Sportswire)

Let’s say you like the favorite in the Kentucky Derby, but you don’t think you can make serious money with a small bankroll. Well, let’s take a look at some ways to tackle some bets.

You don’t have to bet big to win big. Especially with the exotic bets that are available in horse racing like the exactas, trifectas and daily doubles. I’m not a win/place/show bettor unless my horse is at least 8-to-1 or above. The Kentucky Derby is not only difficult to handicap, it’s difficult for any horse to win because of the factors of having to overcome their post position, the big field, and the overall trip of the race. That is why with a small bankroll, I recommend playing an exacta.

Let’s say you have a total bankroll of $20; and et’s say you like this year’s favorite: No. 5 California Chrome.

Now, let’s say his off odds are 3-to-1 and you bet $20 win California Chrome.

Let’s say he wins and for every $2 he pays $8 to win.

In that scenario, you would get a total of $80 back.

If you are so sure about one horse and are just going to play to win, then how about you try an exacta. All you have to worry about is your favorite horse winning (same as a win bet) but you have a chance at a nice score if a longshot gets second.

$1 exacta: No. 5 California Chrome with ALL.

That will make it a $19 play given the 19 horses that you are using for second.

I recommend doubling your bankroll and playing a second exacta.

$1 Exacta: ALL with No. 5 California Chrome.

This is a good “saver bet”. It allows you to still cash a winning bet if your favorite gets beat. If that happens, let’s hope a huge longshot is the one that beats us. Playing both of these exactas is like playing a win and place bet. It’s horse racing and the best horse doesn't always win. A troubled trip, a bad start, or many other things can happen.

Let’s look at what would have happened if you liked the Kentucky Derby favorite the past two years.

The 2013 Kentucky Derby favorite was No. 16 Orb at odds of 5-to-1.

You bet $20 win and place on Orb. Orb won and paid $17.80 to win and $7.40 to place. Your $20 win and place bet returned $252

What would have happened if instead you would have bet two exactas?

$1 exacta ($18): No. 16 Orb with ALL

$1 exacta ($18): ALL with No. 16 Orb

No. 4 Golden Soul finished second at odds of 35-to-1.

Your Orb with ALL exacta hit and it paid $490.80 for $1!

The 2012 Kentucky Derby favorite was No. 6 Bodemeister at odds of 4-to-1.

You bet $20 win and place on Bodemeister.

Bodemeister ran a good race but got beat at the end and finished second.

No. 19 I’ll Have Another won at odds of 15-to-1.

Bodemeister paid $6.20 to place. Your $20 win bet lost, your $20 place bet returned $62.

What would have happened if instead you would have bet two exactas?

$1 exacta ($19): No. 6 Bodemeister with ALL

$1 exacta ($19): ALL with Bodemeister

Your Bodemeister with ALL exacta lost.

Your ALL with Bodemeister exacta hit and it paid $153.30 for $1!