What should I know about horseracing before I go to the Kentucky Derby?

Question

Assume I know nothing about horseracing and betting.

Answer 1

nothing learn as you go along

Answer 2

There are two basic ways to bet - for a win, and each way. Betting to win means if your horse wins you win the amount you bet on it times its price. Each way means you put half on a win and half on a place so when it wins you get money for the win but if it only runs 2nd or 3rd you still get some money back.

Don't let the price of a horse convince you of its chance of winning, favourites only win 1/3 of the time and represent poor value, and don't let other people convince you of a horse's chance because they don't know what will win themselves if they did they would have sold everything and put it on that horse they swear is going to win.

Pick a horse you like because of its name or some feature you like or if you're into it study the form guide and be convinced by yourself of a horse's chance.

MOST IMPORTANTLY only take the amount of money you are prepared to lose. If a fun day out at the races is worth $100 then take this much and bet an even amount of this on each race so at the end you have only spent $100.

Hey, with any luck you might have won some of it back so a fun day out might have cost you next to nothing.

Have fun.

Answer 3

the Quenn of England is coming to the Derby this year.  Bet on the same horse she bets on.....

Oh yeah, and Anna Nicole met whats his name at a derby party, so beware....rich ladies with old or near dead husbands are on the prowl....

Answer 4

horses have hoofs, not feet, and when you bet they only accept money.

Answer 5

The Derby is like the Indy 500, Super Bowl or World Series; if you are attending the event, just enjoy the pageantry and show. You will learn more talking with people around you at the Derby then trying to "crash course" on handicapping, etc.

There is a great book - Betting on Horse Racing for Dummies - that can explain wagering on races in a simple format. I recommend the book if you want to gain a little insight before the event.

Answer 6

between now and the derby you could not possibly learn enough to make it worthwhile.  the program you get at the track will give you enough beginner info to get you thru your 1st day at the races. drf.com is the site for daily racing form. drf is to horsemen what wall street journal is to wall street. they have more info than you could possibly absorb. also bloodhorse.com is a great site. i've  been to the derby several time, just enjoy yourself. once you go to the derby, i promise  you, you'll be back.

Answer 7

You should know to stay close to the rail...but not to close!And even though i don't approve horse racing...don't get to close to other horses