The first leg of the Triple Crown and a global horse racing etched in history and folklore. The 2017 Kentucky Derby has arrived!
Australian punters might not know a whole lot about the history, track, conditions and most importantly the form of the runners so we’ve prepared a quintessential guide to the 2017 Kentucky Derby!
Kentucky Derby History
This year will be the 143rd running of the historic race at Churchill Downs, Kentucky.
The race is run on the dirt-track of Churchill Downs and is for 3YO’s only.
Colts and geldings in the race carry 126 pounds (57 kg), and fillies in the race carry 121 pounds (55 kg).
20 horses race in the Derby each year and qualification through a series of lead-up events is very competitive as you’d imagine.
The Kentucky Derby is the first race of the famed Triple Crown Series of Thoroughbred Racing.
The other two races in the Triple Crown are the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes.
If you’re trying to get festive this weekend and into the spirit, be sure to knock up a couple of Mint Julep’s (see below), the official drink of the Kentucky Derby!
Our favourite Kentucky Derby Moment – Giacomo in 2005!
So many greats of the American Horse Racing scene have won the race but the race that stands out in our mind is the 2005 edition of the race.
Giacomo was a 50-1 chance going into the race ($100 payout for a $2 wager) but that didn’t stop TVG announcer Ken Rudolph tipping it to everyone who wanted to listen pre-race.
We’ll let the video below do the talking, what a great moment on live TV!
Where do they run the 2017 Kentucky Derby?
The 2017 Derby will be run at the same track as always, the beautiful Churchill Downs race track.
Churchill is right up there with Santa Anita Park and Saratoga in terms of famous US tracks.
Horse Racing in Kentucky is part of the furniture, dating back to 1789 when the first race course was laid out in Lexington.
However, it was almost 100 years later, in 1875, that Churchill Downs officially opened and began its tradition as “Home of the Kentucky Derby.
It’s a perfect morning with only 8 days until the @KentuckyDerby! pic.twitter.com/qy2qLhoe3b
— Kevin Kerstein (@HorseRacingKK) April 28, 2017
2017 Kentucky Derby Field, Barrier Draw and US Odds
1. Lookin At Lee (20-1)
2. Thunder Snow (20-1)
3. Fast And Accurate (50-1)
4. Untrapped (30-1)
5. Always Dreaming (5-1)
6. State of Honor (30-1)
7. Girvin (15-1)
8. Hence (15-1)
9. Irap (20-1)
10. Gunnevera (15-1)
11. Battle Of Midway (30-1)
12. Sonneteer (50-1)
13. J Boys Echo (20-1)
14. Classic Empire (4-1)
15. McCraken (5-1)
16. Tapwrit (20-1)
17. Irish War Cry (6-1)
18. Gormley (15-1)
19. Practical Joke (20-1)
20. Patch (30-1)
WATCH: 2016 Kentucky Derby Winner, Nyquist bolts home!
It’s a wide open field this year with no real market consensus option.
#12 Sonneteer is racing for history, trying to become the first maiden to win the run for the roses since Brokers Tip in 1933.
We expect that the money will be widespread with a couple of runners at double-figure odds to be fancied in betting.
Normally heading into the first leg of the Triple Crown their is one or two spruik horses that dominate the action. Not this year!
**Important to note that there is some rain forecast for the weekend and wet track form will come into play depending on how much rain comes down.
2017 Kentucky Derby Tips and Advice!
#2 Thunder Snow for Team Godolphin is an interesting runner with form in England prior to spending time in Dubai leading into the race. He’s two from two on dirt tracks and at 20-1 looks worth a gamble.
#8 Hence is a runner that interests us if the rain does come down. He’s got the money-man Florent Geroux to ride. Only want to bet him if the track gets sloppy though.
#14 Classic Empire looks too short at the price. Happy to leave him out!
TOP PICK: #5 Always Dreaming
Always Dreaming is our top pick and main bet in the race. He arrives at the Derby having won two straight races and his performance in the Florida Derby recently was outstanding as he beat home fellow Derby contender Gunnevera.
$6 with some Aussie corporates looks a more than fair price and we’re happy to have a bet!