The highest payoff in Kentucky Derby history was the $184.90 Doneraile paid for a $2 wager in 1913. Last year, Country House returned a whopping $132.40 for every $2 when he was elevated to the win after the disqualification of Maximum Security. Mine That Bird in 2009 paid $103.20, Giacomo in 2005 was worth $102.60.
Horse Racing – Courtesy of Churchill Downs/Coady Photography.
Triple Crown winner Count Fleet, in 1943, returned just $2.80 for a win, as did fellow Citation in 1948. Seattle Slew paid just $3 in 1966 and Johnstown and Spectacular Bid were worth $3.20 a piece for a $2 wager.
The highest exacta payout was the $9,814.80 in 2005 when Giacomo defeated Closing Argument. The richest trifecta was the $133,140.80 from the same year when favored Afleet Alex completed the wager when he checked in third. And, as expected, the superfecta that year hold the record as the highest at $864,253 when Don’t Get Mad checked in for fourth.
When Sunday Silence defeated Easy Goer in 1989, the pair returned a measly $15.20 exacta. The American Pharoah/Firing Line/Dortmund trifecta in 2015 was the smallest in history, returning just $202. And the 1997 superfecta with Silver Charm/Captain Bodgit/Free House/Pulpit was worth just $350.
