Horse Racing

Jackson Bend is the newest of our 2010 Kentucky Derby contenders and this is one of the entries you’ll want to keep a close eye on.

The 2010 Kentucky Derby horse racing betting future odds are up and you can get 18/1 on Jackson Bend right now. You’ll want to take that before this weekend’s race because it’s very possible that Jackson Bend becomes the favorite if he wins the Holy Bull Stakes.

This is the one horse amongst the 2010 Kentucky Derby contenders’ potential field that produced the fastest Beyer speed figure for two turns in North America as a 2-year old, and you have to put Jackson Bend up at the top of the list along with Looking at Lucky and Buddy’s Saint.

Jackson Bend stumbled to 2nd in his first race, but has since reeled off 5 straight victories at Calder. This horse can flat out fly and proved he’s deserves to be amongst the favorites for the 2010 Kentucky Derby Betting after stumbling badly at the start of the In Reality before coming from way back to seize victory.

The Gulfstream race has Jackson Bend as the favorite, and this will be a great test to see exactly where this 3-year old fits into the Kentucky Derby picture. Other premier contenders such as Aikenite and Piscitelli are also involved and we’ll have our picks and predictions up on the day of the race.

Check out the previews for the rest of our 2010 Kentucky Derby Betting contenders before checking out the full early Kentucky Derby odds on the potential entries.

As a native of New Jersey, I had the displeasure of witnessing a once-proud horse racing industry deteriorate. The third-biggest circuit in the country in terms of quality and pari-mutuel handle didn't go away overnight; it took about 25 years.

New Jersey racing is doing that now, minus a one-time showplace that's now a strip-mall and condo haven, and another crumbling track that races only six days a year. But politics, and the Atlantic City casino lobby, have thus far stymied racing industry proaction.

I don't care for slot machines. I can remember putting a few dollars into one at Mountaineer several years ago. I ended up walking over to the simulcast area a few minutes later. Enough of that.

When it comes to gambling, I've always leaned toward the "social" games--blackjack, for instance, and of course, pari-mutuel wagering.

Slots don't do it for me, but I don't have a problem with them. If people are entertained by them, have at it. I do derive some benefits, however, in the form of nicer surroundings and upgraded food and beverage service at racetracks that have the money to make such improvements because of slots.

While I'm pretty sure I understand why New Jersey racing can't gain any traction, I'm at a loss when it comes to Kentucky, where horse racing and breeding are deeply imbedded in the fabric of the state. Is it really possible one legislator and a few Wizard of Oz types that call shots from behind a curtain really control the industry's destiny? I try, but I just can't fathom it.

Opposition to gambling is fine--if you are truly opposed to gambling. If so, why isn't legislation introduced to ban the lottery, charitable gaming, and yes, even pari-mutuel wagering?

Let's take it one step further. Why doesn't the Kentucky legislature ban tobacco? They'd be keeping me, an "addict," from continuing to make a stupid decision--smoking cigarettes. How about banning alcohol? We all know that, like gambling, it's dangerous when abused.

I lean heavily conservative in my views, but I don't put gambling on the same level as abortion. I also believe party-line voting flies in the face of reason and democracy.

Gaming at racetracks is far from a panacea. I've seen and written about the negative far too many times. One thing I've noticed, however, is it never has been done properly in my view. Slots revenue can be really beneficial in a state that truly values its horse racing and breeding industry. I'm a skeptic, but I still haven't gotten the impression racing would take a back seat to slots in Kentucky given current ownership of the tracks and the way they are operated.

Reporting from Baltimore -- Rachel Alexandra, the 3-year-old filly that stormed out of the Kentucky Oaks with an aura of invincibility, almost certainly will run in the Preakness on Saturday.


Her path as a $100,000 supplemental entry was cleared over the weekend when Mark Allen, co-owner of Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird, and Ahmed Zayat, owner of Derby runner-up Pioneerof the Nile, backed away from a plan that would have diverted her from the race.

Mine That Bird is the long-shot winner of the 135th Kentucky Derby held Saturday, May 2nd at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. The Derby featured a full lineup of 19 three-year-olds, after favorite I Want Revenge scratched this morning due to a weak left hoof, in the run for the roses and $2 million first prize.

The grandstands at Churchill Downs were full of hat-wearing spectators as the Win/Place/Show finishers crossed the line, completing first leg of the Triple Crown. The top three finishers for the 2009 Derby are Mine that Bird, Pioneerof the Nile and Musket Man.

An underdog bit back at the 135th Run for the Roses as Mine That Bird came out on top.


As mentioned, odds-on favorite, I Want Revenge was scratched due to an ankle injury.

April 30 - Ready to race for riches? SPORTSBETTING.com’s FREE $100,000 Triple Crown Contest gives you a front-row seat as this year's crop of three year olds race for glory this spring. As with all of SPORTSBETTING.com’s contests, again, it's free to play.

Put your handicapping skills (or luck) to the test and you could win $100,000, a 42” HDTV and Blu-ray Player, Apple iPhone or one of many other prizes.

This free contest, the $100,000 Triple Crown Contest is played over the course of the three 2009 Triple Crown races to be held on May 2, May 16 and June 6. You can play one or you can play them all. Prizes are awarded for each leg, and the big prizes are given to those with the best picks over the course of all three races.

Picks can be set after the field is set and the post positions have been assigned, during the official entry period for each race:

• The Kentucky Derby: 7:00PM EDT, April 29 to 6:00PM EDT May 2, 2009
• The Preakness Stakes: 7:00PM EDT, May 13 to 6:00PM EDT May 16, 2009
• The Belmont Stakes: 7:00PM EDT, June 3 to 6:00PM EDT June 6, 2009

The first leg in the Crown - the 13th running of the Kentucky Derby - hits the track this weekend at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Kentucky Derby betting odds have been set for a while now. Early favorites to win the Derby include I Want Revenge (5-to-2) and Dunkirk (5-to-1), with Friesan Fire and Pioneer of the Nile nosing behind at 6-to-1 each.

There is a chance of thundershowers Saturday and soggy conditions can have a big affect on the race’s outcome so be sure to keep tabs on the forecast closer to race day. Post time is scheduled for 9 pm EST so be sure to get your picks or bets in.

Win one of the first two legs and you'll earn a shot at winning $100,000 in the third and final leg. Every race is another chance to win great prizes so it's never too late to join the field. You can also create your own pool within the main pool and invite your friends or coworkers to join, and trashtalk in your group’s Private Message Board.

You can catch up on your handicapping by reading the Kentucky Derby Betting Guide before registering for the $100,000 Triple Crown contest or checking out all the Kentucky Derby odds.

Author: Mike Gratton placed his first wager on a horse race in the mid-80s. It was a 2-1 horse to show… and it came in fourth. Mike has progressed to be a successful horse racing handicapper and sports betting mind over the years. He loves to impart the knowledge he has garnered over the years in his articles focused on helping others with their sports betting and horse handicapping.

Listed as the odds-on favorite to win the 135th Kentucky Derby this Saturday, I Want Revenge will be running from the 13th post position.
Post positions were drawn today and Dunkirk and Pioneerof the Nile–both +400 faves–are running in the 15 and 16 spots respectively.

It’s that time of the year again with the Run for the Roses about a little over two weeks away.

“I Want Revenge” is currently the odds-on favorite at +200 for the Kentucky Derby.
More at the Kentucky Derby section.