An Early Derby Fever Preview

While it’s flu season for many folks, it’s Derby fever time for horse players.

It’s also time to start looking for a betting strategy that will carry the day through a very busy “Road to the Derby.” In the coming weeks and months, horse players can look to use their most profitable betting system as they attempt to increase their bankroll in time for the Kentucky Derby to be held on the first Saturday in May.

The Preps

As most experienced horse players already know, each section of the country has a group of prep races designed to help the country’s best owners, trainers, jockeys and 3-year-olds earn their way into the “greatest two-minutes in sports.”

Between now and Derby Day, prognosticators and experts will be analyzing these important prep races to help fans and gamblers find the one horse they believe will reach the promised land. For the horses, it’s a tough road, but if it wouldn’t be worth it if it wasn’t tough.

The Groups

As indicated, there are four distinct paths to the Derby. Each group’s races increase in value (qualifying points and money) and distance as the big race gets nearer. Here’s a quick look at the four groups that need to be kept on the radar:

East

January 30th – The Withers (Grade III), 1 1/16 miles, $250,000 (Aqueduct)

March 5th – The Gotham (Grade III), 1 1/16 miles, $400,000 (Aqueduct)

April 9th – The Wood Memorial (Grade I), 1 1/8 miles, $1,000,000 (Aqueduct)

South

January 30th – The Holy Bull (Grade II), 1 1/16 miles, $350,000 (Gulfstream Park)

February 20th – The Risen Star (Grade II), 1 1/16 miles, $400,000 (Fair Grounds)

February 27th – The Fountain of Youth (Grade II), 1 1/16 miles, $400,000 (Gulfstream Park)

March 12 – The Tampa Bay Derby (Grade II), 1 1/16 miles, $350,000 (Tampa Bay Downs)

March 26th – The Louisiana Derby (Grade II), 1 1/8 miles, $1,000,000 (Fair Grounds)

April 2nd – The Florida Derby (Grade 1), 1 1/8 miles, $1,000,000 Gulfstream Park)

Midwest

February 15th – The Southwest – (Grade III), 1 1/16 miles, $500,000 (Oaklawn)

March 19th – The Rebel (Grade II), 1 1/16 miles, $900,000 (Oaklawn)

April 9th – The Toyota Blue Grass (Grade I), 1 1/8 miles, $1,000,000 (Keeneland)

April 16th – The Arkansas Derby (Grade I), 1 1/8 miles, $1,000,000 (Oaklawn)

West

Jan 30th – California Cup Derby (ungraded), 1 1/16 miles, $250,000 (Santa Anita)

February 6th – The Robert B. Lewis (Grade III), 1 1/16 miles, $150,000 (Santa Anita)

February 13th – The El Camino Real Derby (Grade III), 1 1/8 miles, $200,000 (Golden Gate)

February 15th – The San Vicente (Grade II), 7 Furlongs, $200,000 (Santa Anita)

March 12th – The San Felipe (Grade II), 1 1/16 miles, $400,000 (Santa Anita)

April 9th – The Santa Anita Derby (Grade I), 1 1/8 miles, $1,000,000 (Santa Anita)

The Horses

After being voted 2-year old champion, the leading candidate for this year’s Kentucky Derby is Breeders Cup Juvenile winner Nyquist. With a record of 5 wins from 5 starts, he leads the field in both earnings and points. However, no BC Juvenile Champion has ever gone on to win the Derby, which indicates the eventual winner has perhaps not yet shown his hand. Other top candidates include Remsen winner Mohaymen, Breeders’ Futurity winner Brody’s Cause and Jerome winner Flexibility.

Gamblers need to stay tuned and read up on each of these races as they unfold. After a last year’s brilliant Triple Crown run by American Pharaoh, anything can happen. With the right betting strategy and most profitable betting system, the most astute horse players should have ample opportunities to hit some big mutual payouts on the Road to the Derby.