Horse Racing News
Posted June 26, 2011 – 10:28 pm in: Horse Racing NewsWith the recent crazy weather in the United States, horse betting enthusiasts received a huge scare, as race track Churchill Downs came into the path of a twister. The 136 year old track, which houses the Kentucky Derby annual betting event, nearly was destroyed. Here is the latest update on the condition of the track, as well as the horses.
There was both good news and bad news surrounding Churchill Downs Race Track this week, as a twister touched down in Kentucky. The bad news was that seven barns on the track were decimated by the sharp winds to make up the twister. However, the good news was nobody whether human or horse was killed by the twister.
Since it was built in 1873, Churchill Downs has survived many weather oriented attacks, including heavy rain fall, hail, and two twisters including the one this week. The last time a twister hit Churchill Downs, was 1928.
Dale Romans, the trainer of Triple Crown hopeful Shackleford, along with his crew, had to pull 20 horses out of their barn on Wednesday night, thanks to the twister. Many of the horses were moved to other barns on site, as well as a few race courses in Lexington.
What’s perhaps most intriguing about the twister, is that despite being classified as an F1 which reaches 100 MPH, the Twin Spires, and the clubhouse all went undamaged. For those new to hearing about Churchill Downs, the Twin Spires sit atop the clubhouse where fans can watch the Kentucky Derby and various other races at Churchill Downs take place. The Spires were built in the early 1900s and have never been renovated or anything.
In terms of renovations, this is the third time since 2002 that Churchill Downs has been renovated, as the track was renovated in both 2002 and 2003 with an estimated cost of just over $200 million combined.
Comments Off | Tags: horse betting, online horse bettingHorse Racing News
Posted June 13, 2011 – 4:54 am in: Horse Racing NewsIn just over 24 hours, the 2011 Belmont Stakes betting lines will close, as the 12 horse field enters the gat and one horse rides victorious. This year’s Belmont betting race has had plenty of animosity, as Preakness Stake’s winner Shackleford, despite leading the entire way for both the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, has received little to no respect from the bookies and experts alike. Here is the latest news heading into the Belmont Stakes tomorrow.
Ever since the Florida Derby on April 3rd, 2011, Shackleford has received the short end of the stick from oddsmakers. In the Florida Derby, Shackleford at astonishing odds of 68 to one came within a length of defeating Kentucky Derby favorite Dialed In, for the Florida Derby crown. Then, at the Kentucky Derby, despite narrowly losing to Dialed In, Shackleford went off as a 25 to one underdog before the race. Recall that during the race despite the long odds, Shackleford ran really well, as it led for the majority of the race, before running out of gas entering the final turn at Churchill Downs. Making matters more confusing for horse race handicappers, at the Preakness Stakes, despite leading for the majority of the Kentucky Derby, Shackleford was listed as a 12 to one underdog to win the race. Finally, Shackleford entered this weekend’s Belmont Stakes as a five to one favorite to win the race.
However, making matters more intriguing was Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom’s owner, Barry Irwin, who earlier this week proclaimed that not only was Shackleford overrated, but he was no match for Animal Kingdom. Now, we’d just like to say, that if Shackleford was no match for Animal Kingdom, how come Shackleford won the Preakness Stakes and Animal Kingdom did not? With such a lack of respect from peers and bookmakers alike, Shackleford is the horse we hope wins the Belmont Stakes, despite being a pace setting horse.
Comments Off | Tags: Belmont Stakes, Horse Racing News, Preakness Stakes, ShacklefordBelmont Stakes Prediction
Posted May 28, 2011 – 5:22 am in: Horse Racing NewsIn just over two weeks, the third and final stage of the Triple Crown, the 2011 Belmont Stakes betting lines will close. This year’s field has the potential to be one of the best in the history of the Belmont betting event, as it marks the rubber match between the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winners. Here is a preview of the race.
For the 20th time in Triple Crown history, the winners of the Kentucky Derby and Preakness will race in a rubber match to find out who is the best three year old colt of the season. On paper, Belmont Park was built for both Animal Kingdom and Shackleford, as both long distance and speed horses have found much success on the track.
Animal Kingdom the 2011 Kentucky Derby winner was able to use its stamina to catch up to Shackleford on the one and one 16th quarter mile track at Churchill Downs to kick off the festivities for 2011. However, at the much shorter track at Pimlico Racecourse, it was the speed of Shackleford that allowed the horse to once again lead from wire to wire, but hold on for victory at the Preakness Stakes.
As we mentioned earlier, the Belmont Parks race track has seen much success for both long distance and speed horses. On the one hand, long distance horses have had a ton of success because the course in one and a half miles long. Conversely, speed horses have also found success at Belmont Park, because as soon as they jumped out to a lead, the lead was safe since no other horse in the field could catch them.
For all intents and purposes, we predict that Animal Kingdom will win the 2011 Belmont Stakes, as under the guidance of jockey John Velazquez, Animal Kingdom has been able to dominate during Triple Crown season. At Churchill Downs, Animal Kingdom’s endurance proved to be the key to its success. Yet, at Pimlico last weekend, Animal Kingdom simply ran out of race track, and finished second to Shackleford. If Animal Kingdom can continue to have strong runs, it should be fine at Belmont Park.
Comments Off | Tags: Belmont Stakes, Churchill Downs, Kentucky Derby, Triple CrownCan Animal Kingdom Win The Triple Crown?
Posted May 17, 2011 – 4:38 am in: Horse Racing NewsIn just less than two weeks time, the biggest question surrounding the 2011 Preakness betting lines will be answered. It has been nearly 33 years since one colt managed to win all three stages of the American Triple Crown. With one of the most open fields in Triple Crown history, many Preakness Stakes betting handicappers are wondering, can Animal Kingdom win the Triple Crown?
If there was ever a year for a colt to finally break the Triple Crown curse, 2011 would be the year. Essentially, this year’s Triple Crown field has a mix of a few gems but mainly duds that have only won a couple of starts. For Animal Kingdom, now ridden by John Velazquez, the colt was a long shot at best to win the Kentucky Derby, as bookmakers only gave it 24 to one odds to win the race. However, with Velazquez on its back, Animal Kingdom was able to become the first horse in Kentucky Derby victory to run on dirt for the first time in its career and win.
Looking closer at Animal Kingdom, and horse racing fans will see a horse that was sired by one of the greatest turf horses in Eclipse Award history, and whose damsire was an amazing horse for running long distances. Considering that the Preakness Stakes in a couple of weeks is a turf course, and the Belmont Stakes in a month is a long distance race, Animal Kingdom has the pedigree to win the Triple Crown.
What’s more, when breaking down the Triple Crown for Animal Kingdom, going into last week’s Kentucky Derby, the course at Churchill Downs, was actually supposed to be the hardest stage for Animal Kingdom. Considering he won the race, and has a pedigree for the other two, we believe that Animal Kingdom could win the Triple Crown.
Comments Off | Tags: Churchill Downs, Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes betting, Triple CrownKentucky Derby Underdogs 2011
Posted April 30, 2011 – 8:48 am in: Horse Racing NewsThe 2011 Kentucky Derby betting lines are set to close next Saturday when the race gets underway. With a 20 horse field, Kentucky Derby betting handicappers, have a chance to pick a long shot to win the race. If there was ever a year where a long shot could win the Derby, 2011 would be it, as to say prep race season was underwhelming, would be putting it lightly. Here is a look at a few underdogs that could win the Derby next Saturday.
Brilliant Speed 22 to one – In eight career starts, Brilliant Speed hasn’t been so brilliant, as the horse only has two wins in that span. Jockey Joel Rosario was able to guide Brilliant Speed to a victory in the Blue Grass Stakes, despite being a long shot at 35 to one odds to win. Seeing as how that was Brilliant Speed’s most recent race, bettors may want to take this colt as a sleeper pick to win the Kentucky Derby.
Comma To The Top 33 to one – As it stands, aside from why anyone would choose this horse with the odds it has, the biggest question is who will be Comma To The Top’s jockey? Essentially, for its entire racing career, Comma To The Top has been ridden by Corey Nakatani. However, Nakatani is also the jockey for better odds horse Nehro. Meaning to say, if Nakatani is unable to go, Comma To The Top may be ridden by Kentucky Derby specialist Calvin Borel. If Borel rides Comma To The Top, take this horse to win the entire Derby, as Borel has won three of the last four Derby’s including the last two.
Stay Thirsty 33 to one – Similar to Comma To The Top, Stay Thirsty biggest appeal is one of the people involved in working with the horse. In this case, it is legendary trainer Todd Pletcher, who also has Derby favorite Uncle Mo on his resume. Through six career starts, Stay Thirsty has two wins, including a victory over Wood Memorial winner Toby’s Corner last March.
Comments Off | Tags: Blue Grass Stakes, Calvin Borel, Joel Rosario, Kentucky DerbyKentucky Derby Contenders
Posted April 18, 2011 – 4:10 am in: Horse Racing News
In just under a month Kentucky Derby betting enthusiasts will be the talk of the online gambling world, as they place their wagers on this year’s three year old class of thoroughbreds set to run in the Triple Crown of America. The 2011 online Kentucky Derby betting field appears to be wide open, as for the first time in a number of years; there is no clear cut favorite to win the run for the roses. Here is a look at some of the biggest names topping the field, and a few updates.
Todd Pletcher, Nick Zito and Bob Baffert all headline the trainers involved in this year’s Kentucky Derby. Todd Pletcher, the trainer for 2010 Derby winner Super Saver, has another strong colt this year named Uncle Mo. Going into the 2011 Kentucky Derby prep race season, Uncle Mo was the odds on favorite to walk out the Derby champion, until this past weekend at the Wood Memorial Grade I stakes race. At the Wood Memorial, Uncle Mo suffered an apparent left front leg muscle pull, forcing the horse to fall back to third in the race, and thus putting its Derby contention on hold.
However, today it was announced that Uncle Mo passed its physical with flying colors, and is set to continue training for the Kentucky Derby. Meaning to say, for bettors that made Uncle Mo their Derby pick, they can breathe a sigh of relief.
On the contrary, another horse that bettors should consider taking, is Nick Zito’s horse Dialed In. From its run at the Holy Bull Stakes back in early December, to now, Dialed In has shown bettors that it is a top tier horse. In one of its races in March, Dialed In finished third, leaving room for concern with its bettors. Yet, when it ran in the Florida Derby earlier this month, Dialed In simply dominated from wire to wire winning the Florida Derby outright.
Comments Off | Tags: Bob Baffert, Kentucky Derby, Nick Zito, Triple CrownKentucky Derby Contenders
Posted April 2, 2011 – 3:48 am in: Horse Racing News
The 2011 Kentucky Derby is just over six weeks away, and horse betting enthusiasts believe that this could be one of the best fields yet. Since the race is two and a half months away, many of our horse handicapping colleagues are still entrenched with the online March Madness betting tournament that is set to conclude in a few days. With that in mind, here is an early look at a few of the favorites for the Kentucky Derby.
Entering Churchill Downs in a few short weeks, and Todd Pletcher the trainer of last year’s Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver, already has another horse he claims can win the Derby. This year, Pletcher will team with rising jockey, John Velazquez as they prepare Uncle Mo for the 138th running of the Kentucky Derby. Uncle Mo first made a name for himself at the Breeders Cup Juvenile turf race at Churchill Downs in November of 2010. It was during that race, that Uncle Mo simply demolished the rest of the field en route to a convincing win.
Currently in prep race season, Todd Pletcher has been very careful with selecting races for Uncle Mo to ride in. On the one hand he’s won all of his starts, but on the other hand, aside from his most recent victory at the Time Writer Stakes at Gulfstream Park, Uncle Mo’s competition has left a lot to be desired.
Two other horses that many people are focusing their attention on are brother colts, Soldat and The Factor. Both colts were sired by War Front, and have built up impressive resumes thus far in their tenures. Of the two horses, The Factor is making a name for itself as the all around favorite. It last ran at the Rebel Stakes in which similar to Uncle Mo at the Breeder’s Cup Juvenile, The Factor was able to demolish the competition.
Comments Off | Tags: Breeders Cup, Churchill Downs, horse betting, Kentucky DerbyThe Most Famous Losses In Horse Racing History
Posted March 22, 2011 – 6:41 am in: Horse Racing News
The 2011 March Madness betting tournament allows horse race handicappers the time to reflect on some of the greatest upsets in the industry. With the horse betting world losing Zenyatta to retirement after her defeat at the Breeders Cup in November, we felt now was as good a time as any to look back at some other huge defeats. Here are two that come to mind.
War Admiral 1938 – In 1937, War Admiral accomplished the rarest feat in thoroughbred racing history, by winning the American Triple Crown. The three stage race is made up of the Kentucky Derby and Churchill Downs, Preakness Stakes and Pimlico Race Course, and the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park. The Triple Crown victory was the first one in nearly seven years, and allowed War Admiral the opportunity to be named the horse of the year.
In 1938, however, War Admiral would become famous for another reason, as he returned to Pimlico to race the legendary Seabiscuit. Seabiscuit was a year older than War Admiral, and going into the race, many thought War Admiral would leave Seabiscuit in his dust. However, instead of leaving Seabiscuit in his dust, War Admiral was the horse that lost the race, in the biggest upset of the century.
Zenyatta 2010 – Over the last three and a half years, Zenyatta has been able to return American thoroughbred racing back to a prominent sport that everyone can enjoy. Going into her November 2010 defense of the Breeders Cup Classic, Zenyatta and jockey Mike Smith were riding a 19 consecutive start winning streak.
Historically a slow starter, Zenyatta would start the Breeders Cup Classic at the back of the 13 horse field and many thought she may have injured herself. However, as the horses made the final turn at Churchill Downs, Zenyatta was able to fly all the way to the front of the pack, directly behind a horse named Blame. Ultimately, Zenyatta would lose literally by a nose to Blame, and forever be remembered as a horse that flirted with 20 wins.
Comments Off | Tags: Breeders Cup, horse betting, Horse Racing, Kentucky Derby, Triple CrownHow To Bet On Horse Racing
Posted March 5, 2011 – 5:40 am in: Horse Racing News
Fans looking to take their minds off of betting on March Madness brackets, should consider horse wagering. Each year over a million people gather around Churchill Downs, Pimlico Race Course and the Belmont Race Track to participate in horse betting on the American Triple Crown. Here is a guide on the types of wagers you can make during the three races.
Win – In this wager you are betting on one particular horse in the race to finish in first place. Most casual bettors make this wager for as little as two dollars and as much as $1000.
Across the board – The across the board wager takes into consideration, one particular horse finishing in any of the three podium positions. If your horse finishes in first place, you win across the board, meaning you win all three amounts within the wager. But if the horse finishes in second or third, you only win two or one amount of money.
Pick Six – For sports bettors looking to try their hand at horse racing, this wager is for you if you enjoy the parlays. Essentially, your goal is to pick the winner in six consecutive races, and your bet is only good if all six horses come through for you. What’s more, you have the option of carrying the winnings over to each race. Meaning to say, if you pick all six horses correctly, you can win a rather large purse.
Exacta – The exacta requires that you place a single bet on two horses finishing in exactly first and second. For your bet to be considered a win, the two horses you chose, must finish in the same order and place that you predicted.
Combination Bet – In this bet, you are picking anywhere from two to four horses to finish in the exact order you select. If any of the horses do not finish in your selected order, the bet is considered a loss.
Comments Off | Tags: Churchill Downs, horse betting, Horse Racing, Race Track, Triple CrownKentucky Derby History
Posted December 31, 2010 – 5:30 am in: Horse Racing News
Horse betting enthusiasts from around the country have come to love the Triple Crown of America. Starting with the Kentucky Derby in the beginning of May, online horse betting fans have come to love watching all three legs to make up the Triple Crown.Today we look further into the first leg of the Triple Crown, the Kentucky Derby.
In 1872, Meriwether Lewis Clark Jr. the grandson of famous American traveler William Clark travelled with several of his fellow Civil War veteran colleagues to England. It was during his trip to England and to France, that the younger Clark was witness to two of Europe’s greatest horse races, the Epsom Derby and Grand Prix De Paris. Essentially, the two European races amazed Meriwether so much that he decided that he must create an American equivalent to those races.
Enter Churchill Downs Race Track, which was created in 1873. Meriwether Clark had taken a loan from his two uncles John and Henry Churchill in order to build the race track. The deal had the Race Track being named after the two uncles since they paid for the venture.
In 1875, the first Kentucky Derby Race was held at Churchill Downs Race Track. The race was run amongst a field of 15 three year old horses, with the winner being a horse named Aristides. What’s more, the jockey’s name was Oliver Lewis, and he was an African American jockey. During the Kentucky Derby’s first 15 years, African American jockey’s won the race on seven different occasions.
What’s more, Meriwether Clark Jr. only ran the race track for the first 20 years of its existence, as he had a severe gambling problem. Eventually after several years of mismanagement by a variety of track owners, the city of Louisville bought the track and has run it ever since.
Comments Off | Tags: horse betting, Kentucky Derby, online horse betting, Race Track, Triple Crown
