How to bet (legally) on the Kentucky Derby

Although Salty drew the No. 14 post, some savvy backstretch folks expect her to stalk a fast early pace and come rolling down the stretch to win. The morning-line favorite has won the Kentucky Derby the past four years.

It is expected to rain Friday, which could bring a sloppy track, which means the Oaks could have an upset.

A key theme of NBC Sports’ coverage is not just to bring the Kentucky Derby to numerous various platforms across the digital landscape, but to weave that content into the linear production of the festivities leading up to the race.

However, I still believe this was one of those rare years when the victor of the Oaks was better than the victor of the Derby.

“With the average horse you couldn’t do what we have done”, Casse said.

McCraken’s trainer, Australian-born Ian Wilkes, knew that while the Blue Grass is a big race in its own right, the aim wasn’t to win April 8 but to get ready for the first Saturday in May.

This year’s Fountain of Youth victor Gunnevara leads the middle of the pack at +1,200, ahead of both Louisiana Derby victor Girvin and Hence, who each sport +1,600 odds. For those hoping to get in on the action, Kevin Kerstein, a racing analyst at Churchill Downs, has some tips.

Classic Empire sure looked like the early Derby favorite last year when he won the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile and was named 2-year-old champion. “Other horses thrive on the challenge and my horse likes a challenge”.

If the track is muddy, Gormley (15-1) has the best mud rating of the field and is fresh off that Santa Anita Derby win. Once the horses broke from the gate, the excitement was beyond compare.

Paradise Woods is the horse that has been favored by Vegas, with Miss Sky Warrior just behind her and all of Farrell, Abel Tasman, and Salty not far behind.

What’s the purse for this year’s derby?

What I like most about Tapwrit, however, is not his speed or his family – it’s his long strides and the fact that he never seems to get exhausted.

The Ghostzapper colt is 4-of-5 lifetime, his only stumble a third-place finish in the G2 Blue Grass last out. I even suggested that he just wasn’t as bold as rival D. Wayne Lukas.

“There’s plenty of speed lined up for this race and nobody’s going to get an easy lead”, said Jerry Hollendorfer, who trains Battle of Midway. Only two Louisiana Derby winners have won the Kentucky Derby.

In the Holy Bull Stakes, it was Irish War Cry that pulled off the upset win, with Gunnevera (+1200) placing second ahead of Classic Empire. Also, the annual Kentucky Derby Hat, Shoe and Bowtie contest will take place before live racing begins at 6:05 p.m.at Indiana Grand. But he’s not a standout like American Pharoah.

A trifecta is picking the top three finishers, and a superfecta is picking the top four finishers. He’s trained by Ian Wilkes, a former assistant to a Derby winning trainer and has three very good workouts over the Churchill Downs racing strip.

Always Dreaming (5-1) is like a lot of modern athletes, because he can be quite temperamental when it comes to training. He could sit on the rail and hope that it opens up.