It is one of the most dangerous jobs in sports. That of being a jockey on a thoroughbred race horse. The best, and most consistent are very well compensated. That said, Major League ball players don’t go to the ballpark everyday thinking they might not see their family again. The jockey is a different breed of athlete. Sports-casters, and columnists tend to use the … Continue reading In Memorium: Jose Flores
This week the Kentucky Derby Trail heads to The Fairgrounds Race Track in New Orleans, Louisiana. It will be the 105th running of The Louisiana Derby. It is a Grade 2 stakes race with a million dollar purse. The winning horse also receives 100 points toward the Kentucky Derby. A field of 10 will go a mile and an eighth over the main track. It … Continue reading Race Of The Week
Today I’ll go to the opposite end of the competition spectrum, and that is the Maiden Race. Even the greatest race horse of all time (my opinion) Secretariat had to run as a maiden, way back in 1972. These races are exclusively for horses which have never Won a race. A horse that has had multiple starts but never a Win still qualifies as a … Continue reading Maiden Races
All the horse racing talk for the next 6 weeks will be dominated by the Kentucky Derby and the prep races leading up to The Run For The Roses. So with that in mind, you may ask yourself why all the fuss ? Aren’t all the races the same ? Not even close people. A Stakes race is the highest class of race reserved for … Continue reading What Is A Stakes Race ?
This weeks feature Kentucky Derby Prep Race is the Rebel Stakes. Which is race 10, Saturday March, 17 at Oaklawn Park Racetrack. It is a Grade 2 stakes race with a total purse of $900,000 american dollars, as well as 50 points toward Kentucky Derby entry. There are 11 horses scheduled to start in this race. I’ll give you my breakdown of how I see … Continue reading Race Of The Week
Okay, you’ve decided which horse(s) you like in any given race, how do you place that bet ? Once you’re at the betting window it’s 4 simple steps. 1. State the track and race number you’d like to bet. 2. Say the amount of your wager. 3. Describe the type of wager you’d like to make. 4. Say the number of the horse or horses … Continue reading At The Window
So you’ve made you choice on which horse or horses you want to bet on. Great, but how to bet it? There are many different ways to wager at the track or local OTB. FOR THE BEGINNER: Win, Place, or Show bets. The Win Bet your horse must win the race. With a Place Bet your horse can come in 1st or 2nd. The Show … Continue reading Types Of Wagers
But before you wager here are some basic steps to help you pick a winner. 1. Recency; When was the last time a horse was raced. I like horses that are raced every 3-5 weeks. A longer lay-off than that might indicate the particular horse has been sick or unsound and might need a race or two in order to get back to form. 2. … Continue reading What Horse To Bet ?
Every week from now up until mid-April there are races considered Kentucky Derby (KD) preparation races. These designated races along with the prize money, award points for the horses running 1st through 4th. These points are toward entry into The Run For The Roses. For instance yesterday was the Tampa Bay Derby which had 50 points for first place, 20 for second, 10 for third, … Continue reading Kentucky Derby Prep Races
The unofficial horseplayers dictionary defines a Bridge Jumper as: A person who wagers his life savings on the dead-lock favorite in any given race to come in at least third, or a SHOW bet. If this favorite does not make it as one of the top three finishers, well the person making this wager then…well, jumps off the nearest bridge or tall structure. I am always inclined … Continue reading Betting & Betting Value
