Making Money Betting Departing in Fayette Stakes

Departing, pictured winning the 2013 Illinois Derby, is the favorite for Saturday's Fayette Stakes at Keeneland. (Photo by Four Footed Fotos)
Saturday marks closing day of Keeneland's 2014 fall meet, and the card is highlighted by the $200,000 Hagyard Fayette Stakes.
While many racing fans have shifted to full speed ahead on Breeders' Cup preparations, my plan is to attack the Fayette and build our bankroll before the World Championships take center stage at Santa Anita next weekend. Let's take a look at who I believe are the top contenders: #1 Pick of the Litter: This colt is coming out of a fourth-place finish behind Breeders’ Cup Classic contender Cigar Street in the Homecoming Classic Stakes last month at Churchill Downs. Pick of the Litter defeatec Cigar Street at Saratoga in August, and this colt is 50-percent (3-for-6) at the Fayette distance of 1 1/8 miles. #2 Departing: Along with Mister Marti Gras, Departing is one of two millionaires in the Fayette field. This gelding most recently finished second in the aforementioned Homecoming Classic and has victories in the Illinois Derby, West Virginia Derby and Super Derby on his résumé. Departing is another who excels at this 1 1/8-mile distance, having finished in the money (first, second or third) in 6 of 8 attempts at this distance. He’ll probably go off as the favorite. #7 Long River: This colt ships in from New York for the Fayette. Long River is conditioned by top trainer Kiaran McLaughlin and has been facing some elite Thoroughbreds in 2014, including his most recent race, which was a solid third-place finish behind Tonalist in the Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes last month at Belmont Park. Jockey Rosie Napravnik will ride Long River on Saturday.
Here are some ways to make money while using race favorite Departing and not breaking the bank:
Strategy A
$8 exacta: 2 with 7 = $16
$2 exacta: 7 with 2 = $4
Strategy B
$1 trifecta part wheel: 2 with 7 with ALL = $12
$0.50 trifecta part wheel: 2 with ALL with 7 = $6