#HORSE RACING

Road to the 2025 Kentucky Derby: Key Races to Watch

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The road to the 151st Kentucky Derby is sell under way, and with a series of crucial prep races for the big event, many hopefuls are determined to qualify by accumulating points in the following races. With qualification points on the line and history to make, these races are a must-watch event for every fan.

Let’s look at some key races on the road to the Kentucky Derby.

Fountain of Youth

First run in 1945, the Fountain of Youth has produced Kentucky Derby contenders. However, only very few winners have been more amazing than Spectacular Bid. This horse was a Horse of the Year and a Hall of Fame inductee and has crushed rivals by 8 ½ length and even stopped the timer in 1:41:20, which is just 0.20 milliseconds off the stakes record that was set in 1978 by Sensitive Prince.

Beaten Fountain of Youth contenders have also enjoyed many strong successes in the Kentucky Derby, a testament to the quality of competition the race attracts. This is especially true for Derby winners, including Carry Back, Dust Commander, Swale, Pleasant Colony, Unbridled, Cannonade, and Go for Gin. However, during the 21st century, only one Kentucky Derby winner has been produced so far.

As part of the road to Kentucky, the Fountain of Youth awards 50 qualification points to the winner, essentially making the race “Win and You’re In” for hopeful 2025 Kentucky Derby contestants.

Gotham Stakes

The Gotham Stakes is a Grade 3 horse race held yearly at the Aqueduct Race Track in New York. It’s part of the road to Kentucky, covering a distance of one-mile dirt for thoroughbreds. The race typically occurs in March.

The race has produced numerous iconic winners over the decades, many of whom have seen major successes later on. Perhaps the most famous of them is Secretariat in 1973, who clocked an impressive time of 1:33:40.

Other notable winners from the Gotham Stakes are Easy Goer, known for his rivalry with Sunday Silence, and Dr. Fager, who was regarded as one of the fastest racers of his era. The race has also produced recent champions, including Raise Cain in 2023 and Deterministic in 2024.

Tampa Bay Derby

First held in 1981, the Tampa Bay Derby quickly started due to the 1982 winner Reinvested. The horse went on to finish third in the Kentucky Derby. Later, Tampa Bay Derby runner-ups Menifee and Impeachment made a name for themselves in the Kentucky Derby, making the race give the Tampa Bay Derby the Grade 3 status back in 2002.

This upgrade and a couple of purse increases made the race a target for Kentucky Derby hopefuls. 2006 runner-up Bluegrass Cat boosted the race when he finished second in the Kentucky Derby. After that, an even bigger boost was given by Street Sense in 2007 when the horse went on to win both the Tampa Bay Derby and the Kentucky Derby.

The Tampa Bay Derby continued to grow in the 2010s, reaching Grade 2 in 2011. The prize money reached $400,000 in 2018, just a year after Pletcher Tapwrit took advantage of a Tampa Bay Derby win as he sprang to success in Belmont. As part of the road to Kentucky, the Tampa Bay Derby offers 100 Derby qualification points divided into its top five winners on a 50-25-15-10-5 basis.

Virginia Derby

The Virginia Derby is an annual race held at Colonial Downs in Virginia. This Grade 3 race typically runs over 1 1/8 miles on turf. The derby attracts top-notch three-year-old thoroughbreds in the United States and has produced several Kentucky hopefuls in the past. The race offers significant prize money and is one of the premier races in Virginia, making it highly relevant for bettors worldwide.

The Virginia Derby has a rich history of spectacular winners, including Kitten’s Joy in 2004, with jockey Edgar S. Prado and trainer Dale Romans. This pairing has left a significant mark in history over the years. English Channel, the winner in 2025, also later became an international star. He was followed by Gio Ponti, winner of 2008, and established himself as one of the fastest on turf in his era.

Final Words

As the road to the 2025 Kentucky Derby unfolds, these key prep races will shape up the final field at Churchill Downs. With a mixture of talents, tradition, and competition, these events are just as important to the fans as much as for the contenders, as these events will produce the future winner for the upcoming Kentucky Derby.

Horse Racing in 2025: How Has the Sport & the Industry Evolved Over the Years?

People have been racing on horseback for hundreds of years, and the passion for this sport seems to transcend all changes in society at large. Even as the importance of horses for work and transportation diminished, their use for sports purposes continued almost unchanged. Today, the best horses cost a small fortune to purchase, while major equestrian events attract thousands of visitors and generate millions of dollars in profit.

There is something magical about watching noble beasts galloping to the finish line, and for those who love this sport that is worth preserving. Let’s take a look at the state of horse racing in 2025 and try to predict how this industry will respond to the challenges that lie ahead.

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Horse Racing – One of the Oldest Sports Still in Existence

It’s difficult to say when exactly the equestrian sport started, since horse riding was integral to practically all historical empires and informal races took place since ancient times. During the late middle ages, this form of competition gained prominence and became a sport for the wealthy aristocrats who could afford to own purebreds. In this era, it also became a spectator sport as the masses were curious to see which horse is the fastest and most resilient.

Building of racetracks that included stands for visitors started in the 18th century and continues with full speed well into the modern era. Many of the race courses that are in use today are very old, and have been used in the same capacity for decades if not centuries. This is a big part of the sport’s mystique and a draw for the viewers, who feel they are a part of something bigger when they attend a race that has been organised in the same place for a very long time.

How Horse Racing Tradition Survives in This Day and Age

Today, there are dozens of sports events competing for our attention and horse racing is not as universally beloved as it was in the early 20th century. Still, those who love this sport follow it very actively and seek every opportunity to watch a big race. This can be conveniently done without physically going to the racetrack – all major races are televised and extensively reported in the media nowadays. In effect, now you can follow the competitions taking place in Europe even if you live in Canada or the US.

Modern fans are able to track information about horses and jockeys, so they are much better informed than was the case in the past. They understand the specificities of each race course, the difficulties associated with each type of race, the exact age, weight, and tendencies of every horse… A better educated audience can appreciate greatness and predict the outcomes with more certainty, but that doesn’t mean they are not completely overtaken by the drama once the race starts.

Business Impact of the Equestrian Sport

Horse racing may not be the exclusive right of the kings any more, but the sport is still quite expensive to participate in. Breeding of the finest horses requires perfect conditions and continuous investment, and the same is true for other aspects of the sport such as training and preparation for the race. Millions of people worldwide are involved with this business in many different roles, some of which are dependent on specialist skills. Without them, equestrian sport as we know it wouldn’t exist.

Betting on horse races has always been a part of the sport, but in the era of online sportsbooks like PowerPlay it has been greatly enhanced. People can now place bets on any race from a smartphone, which is very convenient in these busy times. Betting companies also employ armies of highly skilled individuals, adding to the economic impact of the sport and ensuring that the odds for each outcome will be calculated very precisely based on up-to-date information.

What Does the Future Hold for Horse Racing?

There are no signs that the popularity of horse racing is significantly decreasing, and all the biggest races continue to attract huge crowds and broad media coverage. If anything, the sport is increasingly spreading to parts of the world that were not generally considered to be too interested in this kind of competition. State-of-the-art racetracks are appearing around the world, helping to pass the love for racing to the new generation and to expand the number of fans who actively follow the sport. This expansion leads to more competitive races that are more interesting to watch.

New technologies have the potential to improve safety and elevate performance to the next level, and they are increasingly embraced by horse owners. Tracking horse health is taken much more seriously now, leading to more humane treatment of the animals and fewer injuries on the track. Tech-based predictive analytics also impact betting, allowing the fans to make fact-based predictions and potentially win more often. Purists might object to these innovations, but they are not in conflict with the tradition and may help to uphold the sport in the face of a changing world.


If you have a gambling problem, or know someone who does, you can find national gambling addiction hotlines and state resources for gambling hotlines here.

Celebrity Equestrians: Travis Kelce Buys an Ownership Stake in Swift Delivery

Okay, so Travis Kelce isn’t exactly an equestrian. In fact, we’re not even sure if he’s ever been on a horse. However, Taylor Swift’s boyfriend (three-time Super Bowl-winning Kansas City Chiefs tight end) bought an ownership stake in a racehorse named Swift Delivery. (more…)

Thoroughbred Logic, Presented by Kentucky Performance Products: A ‘Good’ Race Record, Part III

This week focuses on the horses that ran 15 – 30 races. Read on to learn more about what to look for and which questions to ask.

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Four Mega-Interviews Heading Into the $1 Million Hambletonian & Hambletonian $500,000 Oaks

The biggest races in harness racing are running this Saturday in New Jersey. In his latest video, Dr. Gregory Beroza, aka HorseDoc ‘Talking Horses,’ interviews multiple hall-of-famers and Canadian Harness Racing executive Billy O’Donnell. Read on for more: (more…)

Did You Know? Kentucky Derby Trivia

So, in addition to making sure you know all you need to know about the field of horses from our 2024 Kentucky Derby Field Preview & Poll, we’re also here to ensure you will have plenty of fun facts to offer up at your Derby party. After all, what good is a horse person without some solid horse trivia?

How many fillies have won the Kentucky Derby?
Three:
Regret in 1913
Genuine Risk in 1980
Winning Colors in 1988

How many Triple Crown winners are there?
13

Who was the most recent Triple Crown winner?
Justify in 2018, breaking “The Curse of Apollo”

Who holds the track record for the Kentucky Derby?
Secretariat in 1973 with a time of 1:59. He was one of only two horses to run it under two minutes.

Who ran it the slowest?
Stone Street in 1908 with a time of 2:15

There are 20 post positions in the Kentucky Derby. Which has never produced a winner?
Post position #17

Which has produced the most winners?
Post position #5

How long is the Kentucky Derby?
One and a quarter miles

What is the flower of the Kentucky Derby?
Rose

What is the drink of the Kentucky Derby?
Mint Julep

How old are the horses running in the Kentucky Derby?
Three years old

When is the Kentucky Derby run every year?
The first Saturday in May (except in 2020, when it was run in September due to Covid)

What track hosts the Kentucky Derby?
Churchill Downs

How much does the winner of the Kentucky Derby receive?
$3,100,000

The Kentucky Derby is the first leg of the Triple Crown. What are the other two?
Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes

How long is a furlong?
⅛ mile

How many grey horses have won the Kentucky Derby?
Eight:
Determine in 1954
Decidedly in 1962
Spectacular Bid in 1979
Gato Del Sol in 1982
Winning Colors in 1988
Silver Charm in 1997
Monarchos in 2001
Giacomo in 2005

What are the longest odds a horse has won the Kentucky Derby with?
91-1, Donerail in 1913
80-1, Rich Strike in 2022

What is the highest sale price of a contender in the 2024 Kentucky Derby?
Sierra Leone was purchased for 2.3 million as a yearling

What is the lowest sale price of a contender in the 2024 Kentucky Derby?
West Saratoga purchased for $11 000 as a yearling

On average how many Thoroughbreds are born yearly?
20,000

Now you know! What other interesting trivia about the race do you know? Let us know in the Facebook comments!

The Biggest Advantages of Wagering on Horse Racing

A lot of sports have plenty of online betting options, but some are famous for having more options. Normally, gamblers are intrigued by how many choices there are when deciding what to wager on, and one of the sports that often gets more attention than others is horse racing.

Even though it isn’t that big in most countries, horse racing is a social sport that brings people together. Users from different parts of the world watch some of the hot races, and those who are more familiar with racing also like placing bets. There are a lot of perks related to this sport, and users looking for a thrilling betting experience can check the Ladbrokes horse racing betting market because it’s one of the platforms that offers more options for betting on horse racing. What’s interesting is that you will be able to bet on a specific race even if it does not take place in your country.

When discussing the advantages related to wagering on horse racing, a few things stand out:

Live betting is way more fun

Even though not everyone who sympathizes with iGaming likes betting on live events, people who prefer horse racing will almost always choose this option. Gamblers know that this is a fast-paced sport that’s thrilling to watch, so they do not want to miss the opportunity.

In addition to being more fun, live betting provides loads of additional options. Usually, the bookies that focus on this sport will give users a lot of different markets to try out, but In-Play opens the door to more options.

There could be multiple different alternatives to try out, such as a short-term market for a specific horse/jockey. The In-Play markets’ odds are more intriguing and most will change depending on different things happening on the racetrack.

You can find more bonuses

Horse racing is a sport that is famous for being more difficult to predict than many of the other sports that people bet on. This is a plus for most gamblers because they like the challenge, but others are not fans.

To keep users hooked and to promote horse racing among casual gamblers, many websites have exclusive bonuses. What differentiates the offers for this sport from the perks offered to others is that they are available for a specific race. You will rarely come across general promotions that are available all the time because operators want to promote betting on specific horse races.

In terms of the prizes themselves, you can find various offerings. Most websites will only offer free bets because they know that those rewards will attract more clients, but others also have deposit bonuses.

The odds for horse racing are always better

The last important thing we need to point out about placing bets on horse racing and why it’s so popular is related to the odds. Sure, many platforms that have services that will provide solid odds for every sport, but horse racing is on another level.

Brands are aware that predicting some markets is a lot more difficult than it seems. That’s why they try to encourage people to place bets by providing them with higher odds. In other words, even options like the final winner of the race will often have odds of 5.00 or higher for the favorites because there are so many things that could go wrong.

Conclusion

Overall, horse racing has a lot of pros when you compare it to other sports that people bet on. It is not that popular in all parts of the world, but things are slowly changing. That’s why we expect to see a lot more options for horse racing in the future.

The Derby’s Impact on Betting: Horse Racing’s Crown Jewel and Its Betting Traditions

Upon delving into the intricate tapestry of horse racing’s illustrious past, it becomes apparent that The Derby embodies a zenith characterised by enduring traditions and a distinguished status. Emerging in the latter part of the 18th century, this highly regarded occasion has not alone functioned as a representation of remarkable equestrian skills but has also had a substantial influence in creating pivotal epochs of evolution within the realm of the sport. The Derby has been deeply ingrained in the essence of horse racing, establishing itself as the unequivocal apex as time has passed without pause.

The Evolution of Betting in Horse Racing

The Derby started in the late 18th century. Back then, it wasn’t just about the horses. It was also about the bets people placed. Over the years, betting and The Derby became tight-knit buddies. It’s hard to imagine one without the other. Betting has changed a lot since those early days. First, people placed bets right on the track. Now, many do it online with a click. The Derby was central to this shift. It made horse racing and betting even cooler.

The Derby: A Synonym for Prestige and Glamour

The Derby is not just another horse race. Imagine a mix of the Super Bowl and the red carpet at the Oscars. People turn up in droves, sporting their fanciest outfits. Everyone’s talking about the stunning hats and sleek suits. But why all the fuss? The Derby’s history goes way back. It’s been the highlight of the horse racing calendar for centuries. Winning this race? Well, that’s like striking gold. It’s the dream of many but the triumph of just a few.

Traditional Betting vs. Online Betting

Remember when betting was all about being there? You’d head to the tracks, feel the crowd’s energy, and place your bets in person. It was hands-on, face-to-face. You’d get your ticket, cross your fingers, and hope your horse would win. But times have changed. Now, you can bet without even leaving your couch. Online betting has taken over thanks to the internet, requiring minimum effort. A few clicks, and you’re in the game. It’s fast, it’s easy, and it’s convenient.

The Derby played a big part in this shift. With its global fanbase, many wanted to bet but couldn’t be there in person. So, online platforms grew, making it possible for fans everywhere. But whether it’s the old-school trackside bet or the modern online wager, the thrill remains. The Derby bridges the past with the present, showing that the excitement never fades, no matter how we bet.

The Most Common Derby Bets

As we all know, the Derby is a big one, right? But the bets placed? They’re even more significant. The most common ones? “Win”, “Place”, and “Show”. Here’s a breakdown of the most popular ones:

  • Win: The most straightforward of all bets. When you place a “Win” bet, you’re banking on a single horse to cross the finish line first. It’s the purest form of betting, mirroring the raw competition of the race. Winning this bet is as exhilarating as watching your chosen horse gallop past its rivals, capturing that coveted first place.
  • Place: You’re playing safer with a “Place” bet. Your chosen horse needs to finish either first or second. This type of bet is for those who want a mix of thrill and security. It’s a balance, giving you two chances to win, but with slightly reduced payouts compared to the “Win” bet.
  • Show: If you want to spread your net wider, the “Show” bet is your pick. You’re rooting for your horse to finish in the top three spots. It’s one of the safer bets, perfect for newcomers or those who enjoy consistent, albeit smaller, wins.
  • Exacta: Now things get interesting. An “Exacta” requires precision. You need to predict the first and second horses in the exact order they finish. It’s a challenge, but the reward? It can be considerably higher than the simpler bets. For many, cracking the Exacta is a blend of knowledge, intuition, and luck.
  • Trifecta: The “Trifecta” is a bettor’s delight for those who enjoy a challenge. You’re tasked with picking the top three horses in their exact finishing order. It’s not easy, but the payouts can be massive if you have a keen eye and have done your homework. It’s a favourite among seasoned bettors looking for that big score.
  • Superfecta: The ultimate test for any bettor. The “Superfecta” demands that you predict the top four horses and their exact finishing order. It’s a long shot, but the rewards? They’re nothing short of spectacular. This is for the brave, the bold, and those who trust their instincts against all odds.

How the Pros at the Derby Gamble on Horses

Now, the pros play a different game. They study form guides, track conditions, and even a horse’s lineage. It’s not just about luck; it’s about knowledge and strategy. Some seasoned bettors look for value. They might avoid the favourite and place their money on a lesser-known horse, hoping for a bigger payout. Others diversify, spreading their bets across multiple races or horses.

Overall, the key? Information. The more you know, the better your chances. Whether following horse trainers on social media or diving deep into race statistics, every bit helps. For many, betting on The Derby isn’t just a gamble; it’s an art.

Critical Factors to Consider When Placing Derby Bets

When placing bets for The Derby, it’s not just about luck. No. There’s a method to madness. The pros? They keep an eye on a few critical things. First up, the horse’s recent performance. How did it do in the last few races? A winning streak might mean the horse is in top form.

Next, the jockey. A skilled jockey can make all the difference. Some have a history of pulling off wins at The Derby. Then there’s the track condition. Wet, dry, muddy – each can change the game. Research how your chosen horse performs in different situations. And don’t forget the horse’s lineage. Good genes can mean a lot in horse racing. Do some digging and determine if the horse comes from a line of champions.

Conclusion

The Derby isn’t just a race; it’s an experience. Every step is thrilling, from choosing the right horse to placing that perfect bet. But remember, it’s not just about the rush. It’s about strategy, knowledge, and a sprinkle of luck. Whether you’re a seasoned bettor or a first-timer, you can make the most of this iconic event with the right approach. Always bet responsibly, enjoy the spectacle, and may the odds be ever in your favour!