Kentucky Derby 2019 Betting Guide: Poll position, Odds, favorites, how to bet
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LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) -- Picking a horse to win the Kentucky Derby is easy.
Placing a bet is as close as a cellphone, tablet, computer or even a
smart TV with internet access. But for the novice or inexperienced
bettor, making a wager that pays off with a profit can be a challenge:
Beginners need to know how to place a bet, who to bet on and where to
place the bet. NBCSN will be streaming the entire event along with
pre-race coverage and more on NBC, NBC Sports app,
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NBCSports.com Friday through Saturday. Live event coverage from the 145th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs will take place on Saturday with a post time of 6:50 p.m. ET. The complete Kentucky Derby schedule can be found here.
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NBCSports.com Friday through Saturday. Live event coverage from the 145th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs will take place on Saturday with a post time of 6:50 p.m. ET. The complete Kentucky Derby schedule can be found here.
Off-track simulcasting in more than two dozen states offers a convenient
alternative to going to the track. Of course, there's always the actual
experience of walking up to the betting window at the track.
That's a good option if you can't get to Churchill Downs, where 150,000
spectators are expected for Saturday's 145th Derby and hoping to get
some action on Game Winner, the 9-2 new morning line favorite after 4-1
previous favorite Omaha Beach was scratched Wednesday evening with a
breathing problem.
Minimum bets vary from state to state, but here are some things to consider when placing a wager:
THE BASICS
The obvious wager is betting on a horse to win. Just pick one. But after that, it can get a little trickier.
Bets can be made on a horse to win, place (finish first or second) or
show (finish first, second or third) -- or all three with an
across-the-board wager. An exacta involves correctly picking the first
two horses in order, or in any order with a combination known as a box
bet (1-2 or 2-1, for example).
Superfecta bets (picking the first four horses) are also available, as
are exotic wagers such as Pick 3 and Pick 6 that requires choosing the
winning horses in multiple races. A Pick 3 and a Pick 6 are the hardest
to predict, leading to rollover jackpots that can be very lucrative. But
they probably are best left to more seasoned bettors.
DO YOUR HOMEWORK
Determining who to bet on can start with a daily racing program that
lists entrants for each race and information including odds, jockey,
trainer, silks, saddle towel color and past performances. They can be
purchased at the track, simulcast venue or a track's website.
It will initially seem like a lot of numbers and statistics, but tracks
and web sites offer instructions on how to read and understand a
program. One benefit to being at the track is seeing how the horse looks
in the paddock or during the pre-race parade. Appearance and
temperament are important, so keep an eye on horse's ears to see how
engaged the horse is with the atmosphere.
And there's nothing wrong with playing a hunch, since after all, it's just a gamble.
ONLINE BETTING
After learning what to bet and who to bet on, the next step is placing the bet.
Numerous websites such as TwinSpires.com -- Churchill Downs' online
service -- Equibase.com and TVG.com offer betting at racetracks
worldwide. Wagering is free, but it will require setting up a
subscription and require banking information to place bets and deposit
winnings. Those services even provide live streaming and replays.
Various online sites offer betting tips along with news and updates.
It's the most convenient way to bet on marquee races such as the
Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes as the Triple Crown season
unfolds. It's also a good option for other marquee races during the year
such as the Travers Stakes and season-ending Breeders' Cup World
Championships.
PARI-MUTUEL BETTING-SPORTS BETTING
When wagering, the longer the odds the bigger the payoff.
In horse racing, the odds are not finalized until the race begins. That
is known as pari-mutuel betting. That's different than sports betting in
which bettors get the odds that are available at the time they make
their bet.
New Jersey tracks also offer exchange wagering for horse races, which
differs from pari-mutuel betting. Exchange wagering matches and locks in
the odds at the time a bet is placed and also allows betting during the
race.
And while sports betting expanded in several states last year after the
U.S. Supreme Court ruled that states could legalize sports gambling, it
does not include horse racing. Even in most states that have legalized
sports betting, placing a bet on horse racing is limited to the tracks
as the sport examines how to compete and benefit from new legislation.
KNOW YOUR LIMIT
As rewarding as cashing in a winning bet can be, the desire to win more
or recoup some inevitable losses can get intoxicating -- and risky. When
novice or inexperienced bettors make wagers on horse racing, it should
be for entertainment purposes and not income.