Edited Press ReleaseKentucky Derby week kicks off Saturday at Churchill Downs as the track opens its 44-day Spring Meet offering sizeable pools and new wagers for the meeting, the track announced Monday.Annually, Derby Day produces some of the largest betting pools in the sport. Last year's Derby race win, place and show pool totaled $122.4-million, while the exacta pool reached $30.1-million, the trifecta pool handled $35.5-million and the superfecta pool totaled $15.5-million. New on the Oaks and Derby programs in 2026 will be a 50-cent all turf Pick 4 while opening day of the Spring Meet will introduce the Jackpot 8, Odd vs. Even wagering, and Matchup wagering.The $1 Jackpot 8 challenges bettors to select the first eight finishers, in exact order, in the daily designated race and will typically be offered on the final race each day when there are at least 10 separate betting interests.Odd vs. Even allows fans to wager on whether the winning horse's number will be odd or even and will be offered on all races with at least three horses on each side.Matchups, or head-to-head betting, let horseplayers select which of two horses or groups of horses will produce the highest finisher in a race and will be offered on select days throughout Kentucky Derby Week and the Spring Meet.The Jackpot 8 carries a 22% takeout, while Odd vs. Even and Matchups each feature a 17.5% takeout. There will be a $54,964 carryover in the Jackpot 8 from the conclusion of Turfway Park starting with Saturday's opening day card.For the entire wagering menu and for more information about betting on the Spring Meet, please go here.The post New Wagers, Big Pools Highlight Kentucky Derby Week at Churchill appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.