Last year, you may have noticed, the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes were plagued with controversy. Specifically, many in the sporting world voiced their opinion that excessive “passing” had gone on during the derby, which meant many of the horses were not truly race-ready. It also meant many viewers were denied the exciting experience of seeing horses battle it out on a track. The controversy led to a major overhaul of the running of the Derby and Preakness, with new rules implemented to reduce the number of false starts and the passing of rivals.
According to Dr. James Rowe, a veterinarian at the University of Nottingham, these changes made a significant difference to the standard of horse racing in Britain. “The passing of horses in the early stages of the derby has been significantly reduced and it’s resulted in more exciting races for the audience,” he explained.
However, while these changes may appeal to British audiences, they might not be the best fit for a North American racing fan. That’s because, as it turns out, the Kentucky Derby is not actually part of the Triple Crown series. In fact, it’s been held as a standalone event for the past eighty years. As such, it’s considered a “different kettle of fish” by some compared to the Preakness, which is part of the Triple Crown and is therefore of greater significance.
The Kettle Of Fish Theory
Let’s take a step back for a second and examine the roots of this theory. The Kentucky Derby is held annually on the first Saturday in May, which is when the other two legs of the Triple Crown—the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes—are held as well. That’s right, the first Saturday in May is known as “Triple Crown day” in Kentucky, and it’s because it’s the day of the year when fans of the horse racing world get to witness the pinnacle of the sport: the Kentucky Derby. And for good reason!
The first and foremost thing you need to know about the Kentucky Derby is that it is not actually part of the Triple Crown. That’s because it was established in the twenties, before the other two races. Specifically, it was founded in 1919 and race day is currently on a Saturday, which is when the other two races are also held (the Preakness and the Belmont).
As a result, many fans and bettors might be wondering: does the Derby always finish first, second, or third in the Kentucky Triple Crown? Well, actually no, in fact, the order is determined by the specific race date. As with many other sports, the Kentucky Derby is won by the fastest overall horse in a race that lasts just one and a quarter hours. So, if you want to bet on the Kentucky Derby, you should probably know a few things first. First, the odds are usually very high. Second, there is a lot of money to be made. Third, don’t expect to win. Finally, never bet on a horse that you haven’t personally vetted and is not on his pedigree.
A Little Bit Of Everything Theory
Similarly, the Preakness Stakes, often referred to as the “middle child” of the Kentucky Triple Crown, was created in the twenties as well. Specifically, it was founded in 1873 and race day is currently on a Tuesday, which is five days after the first Saturday in May (the Kentucky Derby).
As a result, many fans and bettors might be wondering: does the Preakness always finish first, second, or third in the Kentucky Triple Crown? Well, actually no, in fact, the order is determined by the specific race date. As with many other sports, the Preakness is won by the fastest thoroughbred horse in a three-hour and fifteen-minute race that starts at 6:00 pm Eastern Standard Time. So, if you want to bet on the Preakness, you should probably know a few things first. First, the odds are usually very high. Second, there is a lot of money to be made. Third, don’t expect to win. Finally, never bet on a horse that you haven’t personally vetted and is not on his pedigree.
As for the Belmont Stakes, it was originally known as the “Test Match” but was given its current name in the thirties. Specifically, it was founded in 1876 and race day is currently on a Thursday, which is the last day of the Triple Crown races (Preakness and the Belmont).
As a result, many fans and bettors might be wondering: does the Belmont always finish first, second, or third in the Kentucky Triple Crown? Well, actually no, in fact, the order is determined by the specific race date. As with many other sports, the Belmont is won by the fastest thoroughbred horse in a one-hour and fifty-five-minute race that starts at 12:30 pm Eastern Standard Time. So, if you want to bet on the Belmont, you should probably know a few things first. First, the odds are usually very high. Second, there is a lot of money to be made. Third, don’t expect to win. Finally, never bet on a horse that you haven’t personally vetted and is not on his pedigree.
To summarize, with the exception of the Kentucky Derby, which is actually a standalone race, the other three races of the Triple Crown—the Preakness, the Belmont, and the Kentucky Derby—always finish either first, second, or third in the overall order, regardless of the specific race date. That means, for the most part, fans know what to expect, which is why the Kentucky Derby is often referred to as the “First Families of Horse Racing.”
However, this theory doesn’t necessarily apply to all wagering in relation to the Triple Crown. Specifically, there are three Kentucky Derby-related wagers you should avoid like the plague:
1. Win, Place, or Show
This is one of the most popular wagers among Derby fans and bettors. Specifically, you place a wager on the winning horse in the Derby. If the horse wins, you’ll win the wager. Place a wager on the second-place finisher in the Derby. If the horse places, you’ll place the wager. Finally, make a show wager on the third-place finisher in the Derby. If the horse shows up, you’ll show the wager as a win.
As it turns out, there’s no reason why you should limit yourself to just these three wagers. In fact, you may want to consider backing a fourth option as well: a “trophy” bet. In this case, you’ll wager on the heaviest purse winner in the Derby. As a result, you may increase your odds of winning. However, you will also be increasing your losses if your horse loses. But, again, this is merely a suggestion.
2. Pick The Preakness
Since the Derby isn’t actually part of the Triple Crown, many fans and bettors might be wondering: why should I put my money on the Preakness and not the other two races? Well, for one thing, the Preakness is held later in the year, which means it’s usually won by a horse that has been training harder than usual, which in turn, makes it a more exciting race for spectators. Second, the Preakness draws a larger crowd because it is part of the Triple Crown series and therefore, is seen as a greater historical event. Finally, many sportsbooks will give you better odds on the Preakness than the other two.
However, this theory doesn’t necessarily apply to all wagering in relation to the Triple Crown. Specifically, there are three Kentucky Derby-related wagers you should avoid like the plague:
3. Win, Place, or Show, Alternatively
This is one of the most popular wagers among Derby fans and bettors. Specifically, you place a wager on the winning horse in the Derby. If the horse wins, you’ll win the wager. Place a wager on the second-place finisher in the Derby. If the horse places, you’ll place the wager. Finally, make a show wager on the third-place finisher in the Derby. If the horse shows up, you’ll show the wager as a win.
As it turns out, there’s no reason why you should limit yourself to just these three wagers. In fact, you may want to consider backing a fourth option as well: a “trophy” bet. In this case, you’ll wager on the heaviest purse winner in the Derby. As a result, you may increase your odds of winning. However, you will also be increasing your losses if your horse loses. But, again, this is merely a suggestion.