The 2017 Kentucky Derby delivered one of the most dramatic finishes in recent memory, with Always Dreaming crossing the wire first but losing the payout edge to longshot Lookin At Lee. Understanding how the payouts were calculated helps clarify why some tickets produced life-changing returns while others yielded modest gains.
Below is a structured overview of the key 2016-to-2017 timeframe leading into the race, post position splits, and the exact payout outcomes for the most common bet types at the 2017 Kentucky Derby.
| Date | Event | Key Detail | Payout Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 2017 | Grade I Prep Races | Always Dreaming won the Holy Bull Stakes | Sharpened favorite status, lower early odds |
| Apr 2017 | Louisville Stakes Trials | Lookin At Lee surged after Santa Anita feature | Post position 4 created value on late money |
| May 6, 2017 | 2017 Kentucky Derby | 19 horses, Gate 5, Fast track | High carryover led to massive exacta/Trifecta payouts |
| Post-Race | Official Results | Always Dreaming 1st, Lookin At Lee 2nd, Girvin 3rd | $28.80 show on Lookin At Lee returned over $2,800 on $100 |
Prerace Form and Morning Line Odds
In the weeks leading to the 2017 Kentucky Derby, experts set the morning line with Always Dreaming as the heavy 2-5 favorite, while Lookin At Lee sat as a risky 20-1 shot. The disparity between public support and overlooked value created distinct payout tiers across bet types.
Key Morning Line Favorites
- Always Dreaming: 2-5 favorite with strong early money
- Lookin At Lee: 20-1 longshot offering 20-1 base odds
- Girvin and Irap positioned as middle-ground contenders
Post Position Analysis and Track Bias
Post position played a crucial role in 2017, with gate 5 delivering a slight advantage on that synthetic surface. The inside barrier provided a cleaner trip, while wider posts required patience that not all horses could sustain.
| Post Position | Horse | Running Style | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Battle of Midway | Front-runner | 2nd |
| 4 | Lookin At Lee | Off the pace, closing | 1st in show, massive exacta return |
| 5 | Always Dreaming | Mid-pack, quick turn | 1st, but lower show payout |
| 11 | Girvin | Wide run, strong finish | 3rd, decent place return |
Exacta, Trifecta, and Superfecta Surprises
The deep 19-horse field and late carryover produced combination bets that dwarfed typical payouts. A $2 exacta on Lookin At Lee and Always Dreaming returned thousands, while trifecta tickets including longshots like Girvin amplified returns for those who played the high numbers.
Payout Highlights for Combo Bets
- Exacta (Lookin At Lee, Always Dreaming): top payout
- Trifecta with Girvin in key wheel: life-changing ticket
- Superfecta volatility due to wide post distribution
Win, Place, and Show Returns
Win tickets on Always Dreaming delivered steady but unspectacular profits, while show tickets on Lookin At Lee became memorable due to the long odds. Place and show payoffs for mid-tier finishers like Girvin provided cushion for players who bet across the board.
| Bet Type | Horse | Odds | $100 Wagered |
|---|---|---|---|
| Win | Always Dreaming | 1.20 | $120.00 |
| Place | Girvin | 5.20 | $520.00 |
| Show | Lookin At Lee | 28.80 | $2,880.00 |
Key Takeaways for 2017 Kentucky Derby Bettors
- Heavy favorite show tickets underperform when longshots close strong
- Post position 4 offered tactical value in a crowded field
- Carryover from light betting amplified combo payouts
- Trifecta and superfecta rewards exceeded win and place returns
- Understanding odds movement helps identify value windows
FAQ
Reader questions
Why did Lookin At Lee pay so much more than Always Dreaming on the show ticket?
Lookin At Lee posted 28-1 show odds because the public heavily backed the favorite Always Dreaming, concentrating money on the win bet and inflating the show pool payout for the longshot.
How much would a $100 exacta on Lookin At Lee and Always Dreaming return in 2017?
A $100 exacta on Lookin At Lee and Always Dreaming returned approximately $1,300, reflecting the combination of a top finisher and high carryover due to light win betting on Lookin At Lee.
Were Trifecta tickets profitable at the 2017 Kentucky Derby?
Yes, trifecta tickets that included Girvin in the key were highly profitable, with some $2 tickets returning over $1,000, driven by the wide margins and multiple longshot finishers.
What role did post position 4 play in Lookin At Lee’s payout?
Post position 4 allowed Lookin At Lee to avoid early congestion and conserve energy, enabling a sustained drive that produced a high-value show ticket for bettors who had backed him at long odds.