Kentucky Derby: 4 best deep-value picks

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Churchill Downs plays host to the 2023 Kentucky Derby this weekend. A star-studded field of horses means there is plenty of opportunities for bettors, but which horses will give fans the most value?

Regardless of how you decide to bet this weekend, make sure you maximize your stakes with this HUGE free bet promotion from TwinSpires. By clicking any link on this page, you’ll be given a $200 bonus bet courtesy of TwinSpires. To claim, all you have to do is sign up using the link, create an account, and place a wager on this weekend’s Kentucky Derby. If your bet wins, congratulations! If not, you’ll be refunded the value of the wager in free bets.

Kentucky Derby
FILE – Irad Ortiz Jr. rides Forte to victory during the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile race at Keenelend Race Course, Friday, Nov. 4, 2022, in Lexington, Ky. Todd Pletcher-trained colt Forte and Brad Cox’s filly Wet Paint are the morning line favorites respectively for the 149th Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs. Forte, the 2-year-old champion whose 190 points led the Derby qualifying trail, drew the No. 15 post at 3-1 odds on Monday, May 1, 2023, for the $3 million premier race for 3-year-olds. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, File)

Verifying – 15/1

One of the chasing pack that draws intrigue is ‘Verifying’ at 15/1. He only lost by an nose at the Blue Grass Stakes to Tapit Trice and is nearly double the price. However, he looked lost in an 11-horse field a couple of months ago and with a bigger pack to contend with, he could struggle if unable to set the tone.

Confidence game – 20/1

If you want a slightly longer shot, ‘Confidence Game’ at 20/1 could be a great look for E/W placing. This means you get paid 1/5 of the odds (4/1) if the horse finishes inside the top-3. He came 3rd at this track in July last year before winning at Churchill Downs just over a month later. His form around the track has been impressive and while a longshot, comes with a lot of promise due to Desormeaux’s training.

Tapit Trice – 5/1

It’s hard not to look past Tapit Trice here. A winner in the Tampa Bay Derby and the Blue Grass Stakes, Tapit Trice has to be feared given his ability to surge into contention late and if you’d rather back a shorter-odds horse, this has to be the play. Todd Pletcher, his trainer, is a two-time winner of this race and this one will be in the mix on Sautrday.

Mage – 15/1

With a win and a 2nd-place in 3 starts so far, Mage looks like a Colt with more to give. With 3 horses pulling out of the race on Friday, it opens the door for Mage to potentially be looked at as an E/W shot. He’s been inconsistent out of the gate, but he’s only had 3 races and is clearly capable of big things.

$200 Risk free bet on the Kentucky Derby

By clicking any link on this page, you’ll be given a $200 bonus bet courtesy of TwinSpires. To claim, all you have to do is sign up using the link, create an account and place a wager on this weekend’s Kentucky Derby. If your bet wins, congratulations! If not, you’ll be refunded the value of the wager in free bets.

That means if you were to back ‘Verifying’ at 15/1, you could land over $3,000 in winnings. If it loses, you’d get your money back as a bonus bet.

AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, File