The biggest party of the year is set for the first Saturday in May, as the Kentucky Derby will be staged at Churchill Downs.
The legendary opening leg of the Triple Crown will see horses aged three go to post in their pursuit to join the elites of the game as a winner of the Grade One. Every year the Derby seems to get bigger and better, and that will be no different when the 151st renewal of the race is staged this year.
Increased numbers passing through the gates means that newcomers are being brought to the sport annually, with each targeting themselves with finding the winner of the race.
But, what are some of the tips that newcomers should be following when it comes to finding the winner in the Derby?
Examine The Markets
There are a wide selection of betting markets to utilise when betting on the Kentucky Derby, which means that it is a solid idea to get up to date with what each market entails before the big day arrives.
The moneyline remains the most popular betting angle, as gamblers will simply put their stake on a runner to win the race. Show betting is also popular with newcomers, as this will cover first and second places in the Derby.
More complex wagers are also available, with Exacta and Trifectas meaning that bettors will need to correctly predict the first two, and three home, in the correct finishing order. Finding what betting market suits you is key to having an enjoyable Derby day.
Follow the Prep Races
The Kentucky Derby field is made up by runners that performed best on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. This prep event gets underway in September, and runs up until the month before the big day at Churchill Downs.
Every runner that could potentially line up in the opening leg of the Triple Crown race will need to earn their spot, meaning that there is always chance to see a superstar to catch your eye.
The major prep races on the Road to the Kentucky Derby get underway in mid-February, as the Risen Star and Sunland Derby are held. However, the big preps that major runners will be targeting will be run throughout March and early April. Notable races worth proven records of producing Derby runners include the Florida Derby, Santa Anita Derby, and Blue Grass Stakes.
You can check the schedule of races pre-Derby here: https://www.twinspires.com/tournaments/
Set Yourself a Budget
Derby day is a marathon, with a full list of races to wager on. Therefore, you should ensure that you set yourself a budget for your gambling throughout the day.
That should take into account how much you wish to spend on the Derby itself, and also how much you will put aside for the other races on the card. Betting can be a hugely enjoyable experience, but it is also important to remain disciplined when making your selections.
Chasing your losses is never a good decision, as you can end up losing even more than you’re willing. Therefore, setting yourself a budget ensures that you can enjoy the day of action without worrying about being unable to pay bills further down the line.
Do Your Own Homework
Research is an enjoyable part of finding racing winners, as you will have the chance to come up with your own feelings surrounding who will win a race. That includes looking and examining previous performances of horses involved, and assessing the strike-rates of jockeys and trainers.
Doing your own work will ensure that you don’t miss out on value when it comes to a horse that you like.
Furthermore, newcomers shouldn’t listen to online tipsters that claim that they make money with every bet, as this just isn’t true. Even the best tipsters lose money, and can make bad selections, meaning that you should always keep faith with the ones that are truthful about their wins and loses.
Stick to What You Know
One of the most beautiful things about horse racing is that there are fans of the sport with ranging experience levels. Some have watch the action for over 50 years, while there may be some just getting their feet into the ground and learning from a new level.
Sticking to what you know is one of the best tips for newcomers to follow, as it ensures that you aren’t left wondering what you need in order to get a winner.
Reading up on the sport and taking in others perspectives is always worth it, but if you are looking to get involved in the sport more over time, then you will likely be best served to stick by yourself and build your own knowledge. Just remember, every single person involved in the sport was once a newcomer with limited experience about betting.
