The most exciting two minutes in sports will kick off this year’s Triple Crown betting series Saturday at Churchill Downs and the field is wide open
The total amount of wagering on this year’s Kentucky Derby is expected to exceed $100 million
Horse racing fans have eagerly awaited the 139th running of the Kentucky Derby and Saturday, May 4 will give everyone a chance to get a good look at this year’s thoroughbred class. Betting the Kentucky Derby is often the first opportunity for casual sports bettors to buy a few tickets and test their luck/skill at horse racing and we’ve put together a few notes to help the cause.
The favorites are Orb (+400), Verrazano (+450), Goldencents (+700), Normandy Invasion (+800) and Revolutionary (+800) and the old adage is that you don’t have to pick the best horse in the field; you just have to bet the top horse on Saturday. Well, Orb appears to be the real deal.
Orb is ‘riding’ a four-race win streak including first at the Florida Derby (Mar. 30), he has the jockey (John Velazquez) and the pedigree and is hitting at 47-percent career in races at Churchill Downs. Verrazano is still the outright favorite with some off-track betting odds boards and could win but we actually like the value on Gold, Normandy and Revolutionary.
Longshots with a shot are Palace Malice (28-1), who was second in its latest race at the Bluegrass, Java’s War (18-11), who won the Bluegrass and though we don’t want to overlook Oxbow (40-1), it’s usually a good idea looking for a horse that finished in the money during its latest prep race. Distance shouldn’t be a problem for Oxbow and one thing to keep in mind is that the latest forecast for Churchill Downs is rain and more rain.
SCRATCH AND SAVE
The No. 1 slot will be left open this year after it was announced that Black Onyx has been scratched from Saturday’s race. Usually the horse on the inside rail will drop in his opening odds on the morning line and Black Onyx was listed anywhere from 35- to 50-to-1; a serious longshot.
– In 2011, the No. 1 post was Archarcharch, a 10/1 favorite who finished 15th
– In 2012, the No. 1 post was Daddy Long Legs, who went from +2338 to 30/1 before finishing dead last
Note: Fear the Kitten, who was originally expected by some to make the field will not be granted access despite the scratch to Black Onyx
LOOK BACK
In the 138th Run for the Roses it was heavy showers overnight but a fast track by race time, when I’ll Have Another became the first-ever horse running from the 19-spot to claim the title. Ridden by Mario Gutierrez, went off as a 15-to-1 favorite behind No. 6 Bodemeister (7-1), No. 4 Union Rags (9-2), No. 5 Dullahan (10-1), No. 15 Gemologist (9-1) and No. 8 Creative Cause (11-1). Winner of the Santa Anita Derby, IHA remained undefeated in 2012 sat back off the pace and had a great trip going before Gutierrez made his move.
Bodemeister (Mike Smith) was second and Dullahan (Kent Desormeaux) came third but the winning time of 2:01:83 belong to trainer Doug O’Neill and I’ll Have Another.
Note: To bet this year’s race will go “Over” 2:02:00, one sports betting outlet is charging juice of -150
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FORUM TRIPS
The EveryEdge sports betting forum is a solid source for handicapping baseball, basketball and hockey picks but our Horse Racing Forum has long stood the test of time as a reputable outlet for betting the ponies with insight from members. In today’s latest threads, MP 40 offers his thoughts, Pacer is off to the track and Canadian Coates prints six commandments with a rundown of the latest Kentucky Derby odds:
1 — Black Onyx / K. Breen / J. Bravo / SCRATCHED
2 — Oxbow / D. Lukas / G. Stevens / 40-1
3 — Revolutionary / T. Pletcher / C. Borel / 8-1
4 — Golden Soul / D. Stewart / R. Albarado / 50-1
5 — Normandy Invasion / C. Brown / J. Castellano / 8-1
6 — Mylute / T. Amoss / R. Napravnik / 33-1
7 — Giant Finish / T. Dutrow / J. Espinoza / 50-1
8 — Goldencents / D. O’Neil / K. Krigger / 7-1
9 — Overanalyze / T. Pletcher / R. Bejarano / 12-1
10 — Palace Malice / T. Pletcher / M. Smith / 28-1
11 — Lines of Battle / A. O’Brien / R. Moore / 16-1
12 — Itsmyluckyday / E. Plesa / E. Trujillo / 12-1
13 — Falling Sky / J. Terranova II / L. Saez / 50-1
14 — Verrazano / T. Pletcher / J. Velazquez / 9-2
15 — Charming Kitten / T. Pletcher / E. Prado / 40-1
16 — Orb / S. McGaughey / J. Rosario / 4-1 — FAVORITE
17 — Will Take Charge / D. Lukas / J. Court / 28-1
18 — Frac Daddy / K. McPeek / V. Lebron / 50-1
19 — Java’s War / K. McPeek / J. Leparoux / 18-1
20 — Vyjack / R. Rodriguez / G. Gomez / 20-1
Watch the EveryEdge forum for this year’s free Kentucky Derby Contest and follow EE on Twitter for betting tips daily!