The biggest race on the U.S. horse racing calendar is set for the first Saturday in May, as the opening leg of the Triple Crown will be staged at Churchill Downs.
The Kentucky Derby is the most-watched race in America, and it also has a global audience, with millions tuning in to see which runner can fulfil their potential on the dirt surface. Due to its popularity, the race also gains a mainstream following, with those that wouldn’t normally bet on the race doing so.
However, there are normally key tips that should be followed to ensure that you maximise your chances of claiming returns when betting on the Triple Crown race. You can find out more about some of the important tips to consider here.
Study The Field
With 20 runners lining up in the Kentucky Derby, potential bettors should put extra time aside to examine each individual runner. This includes assessing the key strengths and weaknesses of each horse involved in the race.
Bettors should also consider the likely pace angles, and the preferred gate positions and how it could impact a horse’s chance.
Some of the most important pieces of research that should be considered include assessing the prep runs, with a number of horses in the field likely previously colliding on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.
Run styles should also be considered, as those with early speed typically underperform at Churchill Downs over the extended trip. All of this research will point bettors in the right direction.
Jockey-Trainer Combinations
It isn’t uncommon for leading trainers in the U.S. to have more than one runner in the Derby field. Therefore, it is important to assess who the stable jockey is riding, as this could indicate the preferred fancy within the yard.
Jockeys and trainers will typically be in communication long before post time at Churchill Downs, with Derby plans put in motion during the two-year-old campaign of the runners involved.
Therefore, it is important to consider which horses riders have ridden throughout the prep series, and if they have jumped off one runner to take a ride on another for the big race at Churchill Downs.
While this isn’t as strong of a piece of evidence as actual form on paper, it could be an indicator to the feeling within the yard when it comes to their best chance of winning the race.
Bet On What You Know
There is a wide range of betting markets available when making selections on the Kentucky Derby. Experienced bettors will typically look to find the value in exotics, which means making selections on the Exactas and Trifectas.
However, this can be a challenging market in order to get returns, as extensive research must be completed in order to correctly predict the first three runners home in the race.
As a beginner, you should only stick to the betting markets that you understand fully. For the most part, this revolves around the win and place options. The former will require a bettor to wager their stake on the eventual winner of the Derby, while the place market could offer insurance for the bettor, as they will get returns should their runner finish second or third.
Assessing the pros and cons of each betting market available is hugely important for potential bettors on the race, and you should only make wagers on markets that you fully understand to ensure that you have an enjoyable experience.
You can check more information about the event here: https://www.twinspires.com/kentuckyderby/
Keep Tabs on Latest News
Derby week itself has become a major event in recent memory, with all 20 runners in the race working out on track before the big day.
While past performances count for a lot when making selections, it is also worth considering the runners that are working the house down on track in the lead up to the race. These stats can easily be found on social media, and they are noteworthy, as they could indicate a horse that is still improving.
It is also an excellent indicator to find a horse that is in its peak physical condition ahead of the Derby. As well as workouts, bettors should also keep tabs on other news revolving around the race, including post position updates and also quotes from trainers and owners.
Set A Budget
Betting on horse racing can be hugely exciting, but there is by no means a full-proof plan to gaining returns on every selection. Therefore, it is important to set aside a budget that you wish to use when making selections on the Kentucky Derby.
This will ensure that you will only bet what you’re willing to lose, and also ensure that you have an enjoyable experience when making selections. Sticking to the budget is hugely important, as exceeding your bank roll could lead to making bad decisions, and potentially result in chasing losses.
