2018 Kentucky Derby Payouts - What Bettors Saw

The 2018 Kentucky Derby, a truly memorable race, brought with it some interesting financial outcomes for those who placed their wagers. People who follow horse racing, you know, often keep a close eye on what the winning horses bring in for those holding tickets. This particular running, the 144th annual event, really showcased how the final standings translate into money for the lucky ones.

That year, the race was officially known as the 2018 Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve, and it was quite a spectacle. For many, the big question after the horses crossed the line was, "What did everyone get paid?" It's a pretty big part of the excitement, actually, seeing how the numbers shake out after all the anticipation.

So, we're going to go over the various payouts from that day, from the simplest win bets to the more involved ones. We'll look at what the top horses earned, and just what kind of money was moving around because of the race results. It's almost like a financial snapshot of a very famous sporting event.

What Were the Main 2018 Kentucky Derby Payouts?

Breaking Down Exacta, Trifecta, and Superfecta Payouts for the 2018 Kentucky Derby

How Much Did Justify Earn in the 2018 Kentucky Derby Payouts?
What Was the Total Purse for the 2018 Kentucky Derby?
Did the Favorite Win the 2018 Kentucky Derby?
Payouts for Other Top Finishers in the 2018 Kentucky Derby
Race Day Conditions and Their Impact on 2018 Kentucky Derby Payouts
Mike Smith, Justify, and the 144th Running of the 2018 Kentucky Derby
A Quick Snapshot of 2018 Kentucky Derby Payouts

What Were the Main 2018 Kentucky Derby Payouts?

When we talk about the money handed out after the 2018 Kentucky Derby, we're really looking at a few different kinds of wagers. People put money on a horse to win, to finish in the top two, or to finish in the top three. These are called win, place, and show bets, respectively. Then, you know, there are also combination bets that ask you to pick multiple horses in the correct order. These include the exacta, the trifecta, and the superfecta. Each type of bet had its own set of returns for the 2018 Kentucky Derby payouts.

The results for the top three horses, as they made their way through the sloppy track conditions, determined these payouts. It's fascinating, actually, how a single race can generate so many different financial outcomes for those who had a bit of a gamble on the day. The winning payouts from the 2018 Kentucky Derby were certainly a topic of conversation among those who follow the sport.

Breaking Down Exacta, Trifecta, and Superfecta Payouts for the 2018 Kentucky Derby

The specific numbers for the more involved wagers give us a clearer picture of the 2018 Kentucky Derby payouts. Based on a standard two-dollar bet, a winning exacta ticket brought in $69.60. This type of bet, as you might know, requires picking the first two horses in the exact order they finish. It’s a little more challenging, so the return is usually bigger.

For those who managed to pick the first three horses in the correct order, a one-dollar trifecta ticket netted $141.40. That's a pretty good return for a single dollar, if you ask me. Trifecta bets are, like, a step up in difficulty, asking for even more precision in your predictions. And then, there was the superfecta, which involves picking the top four horses in their precise finishing order. A one-dollar superfecta ticket paid out, well, a significant amount, though the specific number for that one was not detailed in the information provided beyond the fact that it was also a dollar bet. These figures, courtesy of NBC, really show what bettors came away with from the 2018 Kentucky Derby payouts.

How Much Did Justify Earn in the 2018 Kentucky Derby Payouts?

The star of the 2018 Kentucky Derby was, without a doubt, Justify. This horse pulled to victory on that Saturday, beating its closest competitors and making a big splash. For anyone who placed a wager on Justify to win, their investment saw a direct return. Specifically, Justify paid out $7.80 for every two-dollar win bet. This figure represents the direct reward for picking the horse that finished first in the race.

Justify's win was, in some respects, a major event, as it marked the first leg of the Triple Crown going in the horse's favor. This victory was achieved under the guidance of trainer Bob Baffert, and it set the stage for what would be a truly memorable season for the horse. The money Justify brought in for its backers was, really, a key part of the 2018 Kentucky Derby payouts story.

The triumph of Justify in the 2018 Kentucky Derby meant that a lot of people who had faith in this particular horse were, you know, quite pleased with their earnings. It’s always exciting when the favorite, or a highly regarded horse, lives up to expectations and delivers a solid payout for its supporters. This specific payout for Justify was, basically, one of the most talked-about figures from the entire race day.

What Was the Total Purse for the 2018 Kentucky Derby?

The total prize money for the 2018 Kentucky Derby was a substantial sum, making it one of the richest races in horse racing. The overall purse for the event was set at a total of $2 million. This guaranteed amount is, like, the pool of money that gets distributed among the top finishers. It's a very significant figure in the world of horse racing, drawing in top competitors.

Of that large sum, the winning team, the owners and connections of Justify, earned a truly estimated $1.24 million. That's a huge portion of the total purse, as a matter of fact, highlighting the immense reward for achieving victory in such a prestigious race. This sizable winning share really underlines the financial stakes involved in the 2018 Kentucky Derby payouts, not just for bettors, but for the horse's team too.

The fact that the Kentucky Derby carries a guaranteed purse means that the prize money is set regardless of betting handle, which offers a certain stability for the participants. It’s a pretty standard practice for major races, ensuring that the top performers receive a fixed reward for their efforts. So, the $2 million total, with over half going to the winner, was a clear indication of the race's stature.

Did the Favorite Win the 2018 Kentucky Derby?

One of the more interesting aspects of the 2018 Kentucky Derby was the fact that the favorite horse actually won. For the sixth consecutive race, the favorite managed to take home the victory in the Kentucky Derby. This is, in some respects, a pretty remarkable streak, as it's not always a given that the horse considered most likely to win will actually do so.

Bettors who had put their money on the favorite at the 144th annual Kentucky Derby certainly came away with a positive result. This trend of the favorite winning can, you know, sometimes influence how people place their bets in future races, creating a sense of confidence in the top-ranked horses. It's a pattern that can be quite reassuring for those who prefer to back the perceived strongest contender. This consistent performance by favorites really shaped the betting landscape for the 2018 Kentucky Derby payouts.

When the favorite wins, it often means that the payouts for win bets are a little lower compared to an upset, because more people have picked that horse. However, for those who just want to see their chosen horse succeed and get a return, it's still a good day. The fact that Justify, the favorite, paid $7.80 for a win bet, shows that while it was expected to do well, there was still a decent return for its backers.

Payouts for Other Top Finishers in the 2018 Kentucky Derby

While the winner, Justify, took the largest share of the purse, the horses that finished in second, third, fourth, and fifth places also received significant earnings. Based on how previous Kentucky Derby races have paid out, the amounts for these positions are usually quite substantial. For instance, the horse finishing in second place typically receives around $400,000. That's a very good sum for coming so close to victory.

The third-place finisher usually gets about $200,000, which is still a considerable reward for making it into the top three. Then, you know, the horse in fourth place generally earns around $100,000, and the fifth-place horse typically brings in about $60,000. These figures show that even if a horse doesn't win the race outright, there's still a lot