About the 2019 Kentucky Derby and 2019 Kentucky Oaks
The Kentucky Derby caps a full weekend of races that are held at the legendary Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. This year the event begins on Friday, May 3, 2019 and concludes on Saturday, May 4, 2019 with the most famous race in all of horse racing. A field of 20 contenders will compete for the right to become the Kentucky Derby winner and advance to the next stage of the Triple Crown, the Preakness Stakes.
The Kentucky Derby is restricted to horses that are three years old. The horses are almost always male, although there have been some exceptions such as Eight Belles. The females are not excluded from the festivities. They have their own race on Friday called the Kentucky Oaks. The remainder of the cards on Friday and Saturday are filled with important stakes races such as the Old Forester Turf Classic. The best horses in the world will make their way to Louisville for this amazing event.
Each year the grandstand is filled with eager race fans, and there are celebrities hanging out on Millionaire’s Row in the Clubhouse. If you plan to attend the event in person be prepared to spend lots of money. Tickets for the event range from $70 for general admission with no seat and no track view to more than $3,500!
Your best bet to enjoy the Kentucky Derby is to stream the race live at one of our recommended online racebooks. You’ll get the same excitement from the race without having to leave home, and you won’t have to wait in line at the betting windows.
Events at the 2019 Kentucky Derby
The Kentucky Derby is more than a horse race. It’s also a fashion show, an entertainment event, and more. There are a full slate of events that take place in Louisville during the week of the race. On race day the festivities begin at 8:00 A.M. when the gates open. Guests can watch the bouquet of roses for the winner of the race arrive at 9:45 on race day morning. There will also be entertainment at various areas of Churchill Downs.
Country music superstar Martina McBride is one of the artists that will be performing at the Kentucky Derby in 2019. The Taste of Derby is always a popular choice which showcases the unique food and drink choices that are available at the Derby. There is also the Barnstable Brown Gala event where celebrities like Gene Simmons have been spotted in the past. If you attend the race, do not miss these Kentucky Derby events.
The Weather at the Kentucky Derby
May is a beautiful time of year in Kentucky. The weather can be a tad unpredictable, though. The occasional spring rain shower has been known to make things wet at Churchill Downs on Derby Day. On most years, however, the skies are clear and the temperatures are mild. You should plan on bringing a light jacket just in case the morning air is brisk.
The climate in Kentucky during May can range from slightly cool to moderately warm, but don’t expect blistering heat. The temperatures usually max out in the upper 70’s. That is perfect racing weather for anyone that wishes to attend.
Early Contenders for the 2019 Kentucky Derby
Every year the Kentucky Derby attracts the best three-year-old horses in racing. They come from all over the world to Louisville to take a chance at fame and fortune. As the winter begins to wane these horses will begin to distinguish themselves in prep races around the United States. Horses qualify for a starting post in the Kentucky Derby by winning prep races and earning points. This helps to narrow down the field to the 20 best horses.
There are already a few horses that have begun to separate themselves from the rest of the pack. These horses have had good showings in their two-year-old campaigns. Here are three horses to keep your eyes on as the big race gets closer.
Game Winner – It should come as no surprise that trainer Bob Baffert has another horse that could make a strong run at the Triple Crown. Game Winner is a son of Candy Ride, and he has turned heads by winning his first four races to compile a 4-0 record. The most impressive of these wins came in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, but that may also be the horse’s downfall. Winners of the Juvenile tend to fare poorly in the Kentucky Derby. All eyes will be on Churchill Downs to see if the man who has trained two Triple Crown winners in the past five years can do it again with Game Winner.
Improbable – If Game Winner were not enough to contend with, trainer Bob Baffert has another horse that will likely end up at Churchill Downs in May. Improbable began his own career late in 2018. He won the Street Sense Stakes on the same weekend of the Breeders’ Cup. What is really improbable is that Baffert has two horses which could make the starting gate. What makes Improbable interesting is that he is owned by the team that also won the Triple Crown last year with Justify.
Maximus Mischief – This horse that comes from the PARX racecourse in Pennsylvania has all the markings of a spoiler. He has already scored a win in the Grade II Remsen Stakes, and trainer Robert Reid believes he has the makings of a champion. The horse appears headed to the Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park where he will try to earn the points needed to make a start in the Derby.
In the coming months there will be more runners to emerge as candidates for the 2019 Kentucky Derby. EZ Horse Betting will keep an eye on the contenders and update you with race projections before the race occurs.
How to Bet the 2019 Kentucky Derby
More money is wagered on horse racing during the Kentucky Derby than the money wagered at some tracks during an entire meet. This event brings out many types of bettors. There are the smart handicappers who handicap races all year long for a living. There are the whales who bet thousands in the hopes of making a big score. And there are those who are just racing fans one day out of the year. They will make a bet on the Kentucky Derby because it is the thing to do. Some of them may even get lucky and pick a winner or two.
To have the best chance of cashing a winning ticket on the Kentucky Derby you are going to have to arm yourself with the right tools. You need access to past performances. You need to watch race replays that feature the contenders. These things are available to you for free when you sign up at many online racebooks.
You will also need a big bankroll, and that is another reason why you should consider betting the Kentucky Derby online. The racebooks recommended by EZ Horse Betting offer nice horse deposit bonuses. Some of them will even match your first deposit dollar for dollar. That bonus money can be used to make your Derby bets. It doesn’t get much better than being able to bet the Kentucky Derby for free. Some racebooks will even offer a special Derby bonus, and you may even be able to claim a free bet on race day.
Another important thing is to not be overwhelmed by the types of bets that are available during the Kentucky Derby. There will be Pick 3s, Pick 4s, and a huge Pick 6 to consider. There will also be a special Daily Double that includes the Kentucky Oaks and the Kentucky Derby. You must decide which bets that you want to make and how much money you will spend on each of them before the big day arrives. Waiting until the last minute is a recipe for disaster.
Using a Betting Service to Bet the 2019 Kentucky Derby
We have noticed that many people choose to use a betting tip service like Betting Gods when it comes to big races like the Kentucky Derby. These services will give you their selections for the race when you purchase a subscription. If you are planning on making large Derby bets a tip service can be a good idea. Betting Gods offers reasonable packages and posts a good percentage of winners.
The advantages of using a betting tip service are numerous. You won’t have to handicap the races yourself. That means you will have more time to be a race fan and enjoy the event. Another advantage is that the handicappers at the tip service are very skilled at what they do. The only way that they can stay in business is to supply subscribers with a certain number of winners each month. They will probably have a better handle on the race than you do.
Final Thoughts on the Run for the Roses
Horse racing is a majestic sport. There is just something magical about watching the horses thunder down the home stretch while the race caller excitedly calls their names. There is no bigger race than the Kentucky Derby. When you watch this race you are an active participant in history, and no one knows what kind of history will be made.
Last year those in attendance at the 2018 Kentucky Derby were able to see Justify begin his journey toward the Triple Crown. Some people still have their winning tickets from the race, uncashed and saved as a collectible of the event. Could this year also be a mark in the history books? The only way to know for sure is to tune in on May 4, 2019 to watch the Run for the Roses. See our Bovada racebook review, Twinspires review or even our Betamerica review. All great choice if you are in the US. 5Dimes review for folks anywhere!
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