Even a casual sports fan will likely know that Churchill Downs is the home of the Kentucky Derby. While the Derby is just one race out of a busy racing season, the Churchill Downs facility and the famous race will forever be linked. And, just like the race, the track itself came into existence in 1875, making it one of the oldest sporting facilities in the country still in use. By comparison, Fenway Park, the legendary home of the Boston Red Sox, opened in 1912.
If you have been considering a trip to see the Kentucky Derby in person, the history that awaits at Churchill Downs should be added motivation to make that trip a reality. You would not just be going to see a horse race – which would be exciting enough on its own – but you would also be arriving at a true piece of American history. Another part of the history of the Kentucky Derby is betting on the races, of course Kentucky Derby online betting is fairly new in comparison. It isn’t often that you can visit a facility which opened in the 1800’s and still offers a world class experience for fans and competitors alike.
It is fitting that Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby were born in the same year, because you can’t think of one without the other. The Derby would not be what it is today without the famous Twin Spires and the beautiful grounds of Churchill Downs, and the track likely wouldn’t exist if not for the popularity of the race. Should you have the chance to visit Louisville and see the Derby for yourself, be sure to fully tour the grounds and experience the magic of this legendary track.
A large part of sports is based on tradition, as stories and memories are passed down within families for generations. As the years go by, more and more memories are added to the legacy of a given event, and the legend continues to grow. Whether it is the Super Bowl, the World Series, or any other famous sporting event, history plays a big part of what makes these occasions so exciting along with famous bets on that event.
The Kentucky Derby doesn’t take a back seat to many sporting events when it comes to tradition nor betting. The race was started in 1875, and the 142nd running of the Derby will take place in 2016. For comparison, the Masters Tournament, one of the most famous golf events in the world, was first contested in 1934. The first playing of the Super Bowl was in 1967, and the World Series was first held in the late 1800’s. By any measure, the Kentucky Derby has a history and a legacy that any sport would be proud to claim. There is so much history in the Kentucky Derby and that goes into how the odds are determined every year. For a look at this year’s Kentucky Derby odds continue reading below.
What that means for you, as a fan, is that a trip to Churchill Down is like a trip to a museum. If you are able to visit for the Derby in early May, you will be treated to not only a thrilling race and the experience of a lifetime, but also to a learning experience. Whether you are a horse racing fan specifically, or just a fan of sports in general, it is impossible to visit Churchill Downs and not come away impressed with the history that exists on the property.
One interesting element of horse racing is the varied lengths of the different tracks and races that take place all across the country. Even within the Triple Crown, each of the three races is a different length. The various lengths of the races will favor different horses, as some horses are better with a shorter ‘sprint’ while others are built to run fast for a long period of time. Knowing the length of the race at hand is one of the keys to wagering successfully at the track.
The Kentucky Derby is a 1 ¼ mile race, which is also 10 furlongs. The race is held on a dirt track, and the record for the fastest ever time is 1 minute, 59 2/5 seconds by Secretariat in 1973. The Preakness is slightly shorter than the Derby, while the Belmont is the longest of the three Triple Crown events. It is commonly believed that the long distance of the Belmont is one of the biggest reasons why so few horses have successfully won the Triple Crown. Horses who are built for the length of both the Derby and the Preakness don’t necessarily match up well on the longer Belmont run.
Often called the ‘Fastest Two Minutes in Sports’, the Kentucky Derby is an incredible display of athleticism from some of the greatest horses in the world. It is incredible to think that these animals can cover more than one mile of distance in just two minutes, but that is exactly what they are able to do. If you are able to visit Churchill Downs in person for the Derby, you will certainly be awed by the power and majesty of these amazing animals.
For picks and predictions for the 2017 Kentucky Derby online betting check out our review page of the best racebooks to place your Kentucky Derby wagers.
Today we will preview weather conditions for the 142nd Kentucky Derby that may affect the outcome along with our projections for 2016 Kentucky Derby online betting.
Unlike baseball games, horse races don’t get rained out. Unless a dangerous weather condition exists, such as thunderstorms, most horse races go off regardless of the prevailing weather conditions. That means that horses and jockeys need to be ready to deal with anything, and race bettors need to understand how the conditions will affect the performance of the field.
Generally speaking, a race will slow down when the track gets wet. In that case, slower horses may have a better chance to keep up. In perfect conditions, the faster horses will have an obvious advantage, but that advantage is somewhat negated when the conditions get sloppy. The pack will usually come together in bad weather, meaning that there is more room for upsets and wild finishes in the mud. It is never easy to handicap a horse race accurately, but it might even be more difficult when the conditions take a turn for the worse.
If you are a horse racing fan who enjoys wagering on the races from time to time, make sure you check the weather conditions as part of your usual preparation for a race. The last thing you want to do is place a wager on a horse that is great in dry conditions, only to find out that it is pouring down rain at the track. When you do notice that wet conditions are in place, research the field to find out if any of the participating horses have a track record of running well in the slop. Every edge you can find is useful when wagering on horses, and poor track conditions just might be an indication that a longshot is about to land a victory.
It can be exciting to place your first wager on a horse race – but you will want to know what you are doing before spending even a single dollar on a bet. After all, why would you place a bet if you don’t even know what you are betting on? By learning a little bit about how to bet on horse races, you can quickly have a better grasp of what options you have before stepping up to the betting window.
For your very first wager, the best idea is to keep it simple. There are plenty of ‘exotic’ wagers available at the horse track, but you may not yet understand everything that is involved with these options. Instead, opt for a simple bet that won’t cost you very much money. In time, you will gain experience and you will be more comfortable stepping into the world of exotic bets.
One good wager to get you started is called a Win-Place-Show bet. In this wager, you pick one horse that you think will at least finish in the top three in the race. At most tracks, the minimum amount for horse betting is $6 – $2 each for the win, place, and show. If the horse finishes third, you will the show bet and lose the other two. If the horse finishes second, you win both the place and show bet, while losing the win bet. Finally, if the horse wins the race, you will all three of the wagers.
If you plan to wager on the upcoming 2016 Kentucky Derby then you better familiarize yourself with some common horse wagering terms because Kentucky Derby betting online is no fun if you do not know what you are doing!
Learning how to wager on a horse race isn’t a long or complicated process, but there are a few terms that you need to know before placing your first bet. It is important that you know what you are betting on, so a basic understanding of the process will help you improve your odds.
The first term to know is ‘exacta’. An exacta wager is one where you attempt to pick the horses that will finish in first and second place in a given race. This is one of the most popular bets at the racetrack. One related term to exacta is ‘trifecta’, which means a bet in which you have to pick the first, second, and third place finishers.
‘Inquiry’ is another term that you should be familiar with when placing a wager. An inquiry can take place after a race is concluded if there is a concern that one of the horses or jockeys committed a foul. Depending on the findings of the inquiry, a horse may be disqualified from the race results.
One other terms that you should know is ‘post time’. Quite simply, this is the time when all wagers need to be in. If you haven’t placed your wager by post time, you won’t be able to make a bet on the next race. While at the track, keep a close eye on post time so you can be sure to get your bets down in time.
The terms above are just a starting point for your wagering education – if you would like to learn more, find a full glossary of horse wagering terms so you will know exactly what you are doing during your next visit to the track.
One of the great things about the Kentucky Derby is the traditions that carry over from year to year. Those traditions, such as the playing of ‘My Old Kentucky Home’ and the wearing of fancy hats, are a big part of what has helped the Derby develop such a great reputation as a top sporting event. With that in mind, very little changes have taken place through the years when it comes to the running of the biggest race in the sport.
For 2016, there will be no major changes to the event – and that should be considered a good thing. Aside from additions and renovations to Churchill Downs over the years, the Derby is largely the same as it has been for decades. In fact, if radical changes were to be undertaken with regard to this legendary race, the reaction by the general public would likely be a negative one. The traditions of the Derby are revered by racing fans, and they should not be tampered with unnecessarily.
With that said, you shouldn’t picture the Kentucky Derby as an event that has fallen behind the times in any way. All of the latest technologies are used to enhance the fan experience and deliver a great viewing experience on TV for the millions watching around the world. The Derby has done a tremendous job of blending modern technology with long-standing tradition, and it is that deft touch that has helped this event maintain its massive appeal. When you tune in to the 2016 Kentucky Derby – or when you walk through the gates of Churchill Downs – you can expect the Derby experience that you know and love.
The Kentucky Derby is one of the easiest sporting events to mark down on your calendar each year, because the timing is the same for each and every running. The Derby is held on the first Saturday of May at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. In 2016, that means that the Derby will be run on May 7th. Whether you plan to attend in person or just want to be in front of your TV for the running of the big race, May 7th is the date you will need to mark off on your calendar.
However, if you do plan to attend in person, you won’t just want to show up on race day itself. The Derby is an event that sweeps the whole Louisville area, and showing up early (and staying after) is a great opportunity to add to your trip. If you are going to go out of your way to get to Kentucky to watch the Derby, you might as well add to your vacation and remain in the area for a few extra days. If your placed wagers are winners for the Kentucky Derby then you can afford to maybe upgrade your stay. If you don’t know where to start with your Kentucky Derby betting we recommend starting online instead of wasting time at the track. That time can be spent at the track watching other races, or it can be used to see everything else that Louisville has to offer.
For many people, the running of the Kentucky Derby is one of the sure signs that summer is on the way. While there are still a few weeks of spring left on the calendar when the horses leave the gate, watching the Derby is a great indication that better weather is soon on the way.
It’s only February, but it will be May before you know it and the 142nd Kentucky Derby will have arrived. Today we have listed our 2016 Kentucky Derby online betting favorites for American bettors.
It is never too early to take a look at the 2016 Kentucky Derby field. Sure, the odds and the exact list of entrants in the race will change quite a bit by the time the race rolls around, but you can at least begin to consider your wagering strategy well ahead of the race. When you educate yourself in advance about the specific horses in the Derby, you will have a good feel for who you want to include in your race day picks.
One advantage to tracking the horses this far in advance of the race is that you can track their performance throughout the year to see if they are trending up for a big Derby day run. Most horses will run on a variety of surfaces and over a variety of distances throughout the course of the year, so you can match up results with the conditions that will be present at Churchill Downs.
Some of the early names to keep an eye on for 2016 include Areolite, Decked Out, Uncle Vinny, Cocked and Loaded, and Outwork. It is possible that some of these horses won’t even make it to the post on race day, but there is also a chance that one of these will represent the winner of the 2016 Kentucky Derby. If you wish to improve your chances of placing a winning wager on the next Derby, try making a list of horses now that you will track and follow over the course of the next few months. Using that basic strategy, you will be more than ready when next May rolls around.
