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BETTING THE BEST ON DERBY DAY

When most people think of Derby day, they think of the "Greatest Two Minutes in Sports," the Kentucky Derby. However, there is a lot more to Derby day than the feature race. There are 12 races during the day and six stakes races that include some of the best that racing has to offer. Most people don't even realize that the Kentucky Derby is for 3-year-olds only. The other five stakes races consist of the top horses in their classes like the Humana Distaff, where the best 4-year-old and upwards Fillies and Mares go head to head.

Below we cover the six stakes races that are run on Derby Day and give some insights into the different wagering angles each race offers.

5 Fifth Race The Churchill Downs Handicap

Battle Won
Description: For 4-year-olds and Upwards
Purse: $200,000
Grade: II
Race Type: Handicap
Distance: Seven Furlongs
Post Time: 1:21pm

Wagers: Win-Place-Show, Exactas, Daily Double, Pick 3, Pick 4

View on ESPN
About The Race
The Churchill Downs Handicap is the featured event for older male sprinters Derby Week. The seven furlong distance tends to bring out the best pure sprinters as well as a few top milers who are proven in long sprints as well. The race usually has a full gate and is one of the fastest races run Derby week - with horses easily able to cut out a :44 second half mile. Occassionally a former Derby winner or money finisher will start his 4-year-old campaign in this spot - as Go For Gin did. The best betting angle for this race is to take one that is proven at the track and distance, because seven furlongs is very tricky for most pure sprinters. Last year's winner - Battle Won - is pointing for this race after running second in his allowance prep at Keeneland in early April.

6 Sixth Race The La Troienne

Seek A Star
Description: For Fillies, 3-year-olds
Purse: $100,000
Grade: III
Race Type: Stakes
Distance: Seven and One Half Furlongs
Post Time: 2:11pm

Wagers: Win-Place-Show, Exactas, Daily Double, Pick 3, Pick 4

View on ESPN
About The Race
The La Troienne is seven and a half furlongs (nearly a mile) run around one turn for 3-year-old fillies. Think of it as a shorter version of the Kentucky Oaks for gals who are not quite that far along. Much like the CD Handicap before it - the distance is key here. Many fillies who have never gone this far will tire badly in an extremely taxing one turn race that usually tricks sprinters into going too fast early. Fillies who have already gone two turns in their career usually have the requisite stamina to finish with power and often pass the tired sprinters. This is a good spot for a top 3-year-old filly who was not quite ready for the nine furlongs of the Kentucky Oaks. 2005 victor Seek A Star shared the connections of Derby winner Monarchos - trainer John Ward and owner John Oxley.

7 Seventh Race The Churchill Distaff Turf Mile

Miss Terrible
Description: For Fillies and Mares, 3-year-olds and Upwards
Purse: $100,000
Grade: III
Race Type: Stakes
Distance: One Mile(Turf)
Post Time: 3:03pm

Wagers: Win-Place-Show, Exactas, Daily Double, Pick 3, Pick 4

View on ESPN
About The Race
The Churchill Distaff Turf Mile is an incredibly exciting race at a mile on turf for older fillies and mares. Some of the most accomplished female turf milers in the world gather yearly for this tough race and it is run very quickly at the short route distance of eight panels. Most of these fillies and mares are capable of producing a top class race when in form and it really comes down to the pace of the race and the trip here. Many times the late-runner with a clear path home and a big late kick is the winner. Keep an eye on who the top jockeys select and who has won over the Matt Winn turf course in the past. In 2005, Miss Terrible pulled a big upset in the Distaff Turf Mile by getting a perfect trip.

8 Eighth Race The Humana Distaff Handicap

My Trusty Cat
Description: For Fillies and Mares, 4-year-olds and Upwards
Purse: $250,000
Race Type: Handicap
Grade: I
Distance: Seven Furlongs
Post Time: 3:57pm

Wagers: Win-Place-Show, Exactas, Daily Double, Pick 3, Pick 4

View on ESPN
About The Race
The Humana Distaff Handicap is for older fillies and mares and is basically the female counterpart to the CD Handicap run earlier on the card. These are very fast fillies and mares who invariably put up a quick time. Just like the boys race before it, the Humana Distaff usually tests sprinters who have been going six furlongs and sets up for those who have a little more stamina from longer races. A win in this race not only brings purse money but also adds breeding value quickly to a mare that is probably not too far from retiring from racing and becoming a broodmare. 2005 Herione My Trusty Cat, trained by David Vance, had an experience edge with several top efforts under the Twin Spires coming into the race.

9 Nineth Race The Woodford Reserve Turf Classic

America Alive
Description: For 3-year-olds and Upwards
Purse: $400,000
Grade: I
Race Type: Stakes
Distance: One Mile and One Eighth(Turf)
Post Time: 4:52pm

Wagers: Win-Place-Show, Exactas, Daily Double, Pick 3, Pick 4

View on ESPN
About The Race
The Woodford Reserve Turf Classic is a Grade I stakes run at 9 furlongs on the turf. This attracts some of the top turfers in the world and the trophy is highly coveted by both European and American owners. The nine furlong turf race is much more tactical than the sprints that proceed it - as the riders usually settle in comfortable position only to race incredibly fast down the stretch in what turns into a chess match of position and race riding. A Grade I win in a race like the Woodford can make a young horse's name as a stallion and this race would be the complete center of attention on any card other than Oaks Day or Derby Day. Usually the best turf race of Derby week, the Woodford Reserve was won by America Alive last year for trainer Neil Howard.

10 Tenth Race The Kentucky Derby

Giacomo
Description: For 3-year-olds
Purse: $2,000,000
Grade: I
Race Type: Stakes
Distance: One Mile and One Quarter
Post Time: 6:04pm

Wagers: Win-Place-Show, Exactas, Daily Double, Pick 3, Pick 4

View on ESPN
About The Race
The Kentucky Derby is the most important and prestigious race in the world. Run each year on the first Saturday in May, it is the touchstone event for thoroughbred racing and an opportunity for the entire world to watch 20 3-year-olds come forward and do battle at a distance that is extremely taxing for this stage of their career. It is a test of strength, will, stamina and preparation where things can come undone quickly with one simple stroke of good luck. To win the Derby, you must be fast, strong and lucky. If any of those three components are missing - the horse will not prevail. 2005 winner Giacomo was a huge longshot but proved a valuable point in the process - the goal is to peak on Derby Day and not before. Be careful betting the favorite in the Derby, he has only won 3 of the past 25 runnings.

Other Resources
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