Betting on the Kentucky Derby?

Here is some helpful information on what Thoroughbred to put your money on.

There isn't too much strategy involved with betting on a horse race.

One tip is to avoid betting on a favored horse to win the Derby to show, because the payout would be very small and probably not worth the risk.

Betting on a longshot to show has the potential to have a big payout. Picking a horse to win will have higher odds then picking a horse to show, and therefore have a bigger payout.

This year, Dialed In is favored to win. Shackleford is a top sleeper pick to win it, and is a 12-1 favorite.

Twice the Appeal has the third gate, which is prime real estate, and has a successful jockey in Calvin Borel, who has won three of the last four Derbies.

Another sleeper is Mucho Macho Man, a consistent horse that has crossed the finish in no worse than fourth place in five prep runs.

As of Thursday, these are the odds for the 2011 Kentucky Derby, to be run at Churchill Downs on Saturday:

4-1 Dialed In

9-2 Uncle Mo* (Is no longer competing due to gastrointestinal issues)

6-1 Nehro

10-1 Archarcharch, Midnight Interlude

12-1 Shackleford, Mucho Macho Man

20-1 Pants on Fire, Twice the Appeal, Stay Thirsty

30-1 Brilliant Speed, Decisive Moment, Comma to the Top, Derby Kitten, Twinspired, Master of Hounds, Santiva, Animal Kingdom, Soldat

50-1 Watch Me Go