Kentucky Derby Betting Window
Kentucky Derby betting 2021: Everything you need to know about placing a virtual bet Jason Frakes, Louisville Courier Journal 13 mins ago California legislators agree on $6.5B deal to reopen. Required Cookies & Technologies. Some of the technologies we use are necessary for critical functions like security and site integrity, account authentication, security and privacy preferences, internal site usage and maintenance data, and to make the site work correctly for browsing and transactions.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Picking a horse to win the Kentucky Derby is easy.
Placing a bet is as close as a cellphone, tablet, computer or even a smart TV with internet access. But for the novice or inexperienced bettor, making a wager that pays off with a profit can be a challenge: Beginners need to know how to place a bet, who to bet on and where to place the bet.
Off-track simulcasting in more than two dozen states offers a convenient alternative to going to the track. Of course, there’s always the actual experience of walking up to the betting window at the track.
That’s a good option if you can’t get to Churchill Downs, where 150,000 spectators are expected for Saturday’s 145th Derby and hoping to get some action on 4-1 favorite Omaha Beach .
Minimum bets vary from state to state, but here are some things to consider when placing a wager:
THE BASICS
The obvious wager is betting on a horse to win. Just pick one. But after that, it can get a little trickier.
Bets can be made on a horse to win, place (finish first or second) or show (finish first, second or third) – or all three with an across-the-board wager. An exacta involves correctly picking the first two horses in order, or in any order with a combination known as a box bet (1-2 or 2-1, for example).
Superfecta bets (picking the first four horses) are also available, as are exotic wagers such as Pick 3 and Pick 6 that requires choosing the winning horses in multiple races. A Pick 3 and a Pick 6 are the hardest to predict, leading to rollover jackpots that can be very lucrative. But they probably are best left to more seasoned bettors.
DO YOUR HOMEWORK
Determining who to bet on can start with a daily racing program that lists entrants for each race and information including odds, jockey, trainer, silks, saddle towel color and past performances. They can be purchased at the track, simulcast venue or a track’s website.
It will initially seem like a lot of numbers and statistics, but tracks and web sites offer instructions on how to read and understand a program. One benefit to being at the track is seeing how the horse looks in the paddock or during the pre-race parade. Appearance and temperament are important, so keep an eye on horse’s ears to see how engaged the horse is with the atmosphere.
And there’s nothing wrong with playing a hunch, since after all, it’s just a gamble.
ONLINE BETTING
After learning what to bet and who to bet on, the next step is placing the bet.
Numerous websites such as TwinSpires.com – Churchill Downs’ online service – Equibase.com and TVG.com offer betting at racetracks worldwide. Wagering is free, but it will require setting up a subscription and require banking information to place bets and deposit winnings. Those services even provide live streaming and replays.
Various online sites offer betting tips along with news and updates. It’s the most convenient way to bet on marquee races such as the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes as the Triple Crown season unfolds. It’s also a good option for other marquee races during the year such as the Travers Stakes and season-ending Breeders’ Cup World Championships.
PARI-MUTUEL BETTING-SPORTS BETTING
When wagering, the longer the odds the bigger the payoff.
In horse racing, the odds are not finalized until the race begins. That is known as pari-mutuel betting. That’s different than sports betting in which bettors get the odds that are available at the time they make their bet.
New Jersey tracks also offer exchange wagering for horse races, which differs from pari-mutuel betting. Exchange wagering matches and locks in the odds at the time a bet is placed and also allows betting during the race.
And while sports betting expanded in several states last year after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that states could legalize sports gambling, it does not include horse racing. Even in most states that have legalized sports betting, placing a bet on horse racing is limited to the tracks as the sport examines how to compete and benefit from new legislation.
KNOW YOUR LIMIT
As rewarding as cashing in a winning bet can be, the desire to win more or recoup some inevitable losses can get intoxicating – and risky. When novice or inexperienced bettors make wagers on horse racing, it should be for entertainment purposes and not income.
How to Bet the Kentucky Derby
The first Saturday in May is the running of the Kentucky Derby one of the most popular races in the horse racing world. In 2014 we will search once again for a Triple Crown winner and it all begins with the Kentucky Derby.Even people who do not follow horse racing tune in to watch the Kentucky Derby. With the field of horses its one of the hardest races to handicap but with the right information on hand you can cash some nice tickets betting the Kentucky derby.
When handicapping the big stakes races such as the Kentucky Derby there are pit falls and traps to avoid. Pay attention to the derby prep races and how these horses did in the races leading to the big day. Take not of how well they raced along with how bad.
10 days before the derby when all the prep races are done workouts are all the media and people following the derby have to look at. No matter how fantastic these workouts are don’t put too much weight on them, remember how each horse raced in the prep races and use this for the basis of for your decision. Now if the horse is working out like a monster and kicked some butt in the prep races lading to the derby that is just icing on the cake. These horses entering the derby are all physically fit regardless of the last few workouts actually most trainers are just trying not to screw their horses up before the big show.
Kentucky Derby Betting Guide
Another pitfall to avoid is the post position draw for the derby and other big stakes races. The derby now has an hour show dedicated to this. Their are a variety of horses that broke from various post positions to win the derby. The only post positions that merit any attention is the 1st and 20th. The 1st actually is worse than the 20th because the horse does not have much choice but to hit it hard early to avoid getting shuffled back. Its not post position that matters but the kind of horse breaking next to you can make a difference. If your selection is a speed type or stalker you want dead closers around you. Your horse can get out of the way of those breaking to either side. If you have a stretch runner you want speed horses breaking next to you so they will quickly get out of your way.
By understanding and recognizing the profile of the modern day Kentucky Derby champion you can go through each horse finding the legitimate contenders.
a.) Every derby winner since 1882 had at least one start as a 2 year old.
b.) Recent derby winners have all for one reason or another missed the Breeders Cup Juvenile.
c.) Every derby winner from 1990-2001 (except Charismatic) had at least 3 starts going into the derby. They also outside of Silver Charm had 3 two turn preps.
d.) After speed figures were introduced in 1992 outside of Charasmatic and Sea Horse posted a triple digit number by his 1st or 2nd start at age 3. Average beyer for a Kentucky Derby winner from 1992-2001 was 110.
e.) Last but not least out of the 12 Derby winners from 1990-2001 only two were speed horses. Speed horses only win 17% of the time in the Kentucky Derby.
The Kentucky Derby can be difficult to handicap but with these tips you should be at the betting window cashing your tickets outside of the millions of people who just miss it. Kentucky Derby 2013 is right around the corner so its time to go big or stay home.
Kentucky Derby Betting Board
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