About the 2021 Kentucky Derby
The 2021 Kentucky Derby will be held on May 1, 2021 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. It is part of Derby Week which runs from April 24 โ May 1 and includes two full days of premier racing. April 30, 2021 is the running of the Kentucky Oaks for fillies.
There are protocols in place for this year’s Kentucky Derby to comply with Covid-19 restrictions. Churchill Downs will be following all current guidelines for public events. All are encouraged to check the Kentucky Derby website for the latest updates and details.
The best horses, jockeys, and trainers will descend upon Churchill Downs in May to compete in one one horse racing richest days. The crowd will include celebrities as well as many tourists from around the world.
An Entire Weekend of Horse Racing Action
The Kentucky Derby is the main event of Derby Week. It features the best three-year-old race horses in the country as they compete in the first leg of the Triple Crown. In addition to the Kentucky Derby, there are other races in many different categories.
The Kentucky Oaks will be held on April 30, and it is the fillies version of the Kentucky Derby. Other prominent races include the Grade I Turf Classic and the Grade II Churchill Downs. Each race carries hundreds of thousands of dollars in purse money, with the Kentucky Derby offering a purse of $3,000,000 guaranteed.
The racing card on Derby Day can present many wagering opportunities. There are special pools to play. You will want to make sure that you have an adequate betting bankroll before you take a shot at the Kentucky Derby. Remember, the number of horses in the race can create some very large payouts.
The Major Contenders for the Kentucky Derby
Each year there are many horses that compete for a spot in the Derby, but only 20 special horses will make it into the gate. These can include race horses from the US, UK, and even Japan. Each horse that earns a spot in the starting gate on Derby Day must win their way in through qualifying races.
The final field of the Kentucky Derby will not be set until the week before the race. At the present time these are some of the race horses that are in contention for a spot in the Kentucky Derby:
- Greatest Honour
- Life is Good
- Mandaloun
- Concert Tour
- Helium
- Highland Avenue
In recent years there have been many horses from Ireland that have made a very strong showing in the Kentucky Derby. It appears that more of these horses will once again be represented on May 1, 2021.
Attending the Kentucky Derby in Person
For many people it is the dream of a lifetime to attend the Kentucky Derby in person. Being able to soak in all the sights and sounds is something truly spectacular. If you plan on making a trip to Louisville, know that you will pay a high price for tickets to the event.
The seating options at Churchill Downs are vast on a normal year. In 2021, live seating is sure to be reduced thanks to the restrictions imposed due to Covid-19. This could cause the seating that is available to be at a premium. Expect several hundred dollars for a single ticket in the least-expensive seating sections.
Those who wish to sit in the grandstand and other areas are going to pay even higher prices. The height of seating for the Kentucky Derby is Millionaire’s Row. Its name says it all. This is the place where all the celebrities tend to congregate.
One of the advantages of going to the Kentucky Derby in person is being able to attend some of the events that are held during Derby Week. There are concerts, wine tastings, and even hat competitions. These events can also be expensive, so be sure to bring plenty of cash and plastic. Also, do try the Mint Julep, the official drink of the Kentucky Derby.
The Best Way to Watch and Wager on the 2021 Kentucky Derby
In our opinion the best way to watch the Kentucky Derby and also to bet on the races is to get an account with an online racebook. We suggest AmWager as one option. The advantages of betting horses online are well-established.
By betting horses online you have the best seat in the house. You do not have to deal with the live crowd, nor do you have to pay an exorbitant price for tickets. You can get a live feed of the races, or you can watch them on broadcast television.
Betting is also much easier when you use an online racebook. All you need is a computer, phone, or a tablet. You won’t have to worry about being shut out at the betting windows, and you can make your bets close to post time to secure the best odds on your chosen horses.
If you create your online racebook wagering account in advance of the Kentucky Derby you will also be given free handicapping tools that are designed to help you pick winners. Past performances and race replays are available from most online racebooks.
We hope you are as excited as we are about the 2021 Kentucky Derby. And we hope that you will win big on race day!
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