Why we bet on the Kentucky Derby

It’s that time again. Triple Crown season always makes the heart skip an extra beat. Images of celebrities dressed in outlandish attire, taking their place in the grandstands or greeting the jockeys in the winner’s circle, it’s all a part of the pageantry that is horse racing season. But it also means that folks from all walks of life pick a horse and ride it until they either win or flame out.

Reasons Why People Bet On The Kentucky Derby

I don’t know anything about horse racing or betting on horses. Yet, every year I check the horse betting odds and see who I will select as MY defacto thoroughbred to back. There’s no science to it. It’s pure gut. But that’s what makes it exciting for the average sports fan. We feel a kinship towards a given horse name, for whatever reason. It could be because it triggers a warm childhood memory. It could be because we find a name amusing. Whatever the case, we love the Kentucky Derby because we feel that we are a part of it, in some weird way.

So, who do I have winning it all this year? Despite the fact that Givemeaminit is 75 to 1 right now so win it all, I love that name and this horse will definitely upset the field! See? it’s so easy to get carried away with this stuff.

The great thing about the Kentucky Derby is that it will give hope to sports fans everywhere that its winner will have a shot at the coveted triple crown. Indeed, one horse winning there and also at the Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes is incredibly rare. So I don’t think we’ll see it this year. But the winner of the first leg of the triple crown will have a ton of hype, regardless.

So grab the horse racing betting odds for the Saturday’s big track showdown and get an office pool or family and friends pool going. Who knows – maybe your pick of Dream Baby Dream at 200 to 1 will come in (yes, that’s an actual option)!

What do you think?

Written by Matthew Ross

Matthew Ross is a sports commentator and a radio host on TSN 690 Radio in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. He's also a contributor to ESPN 101.3 Plattsburgh/Burlington. Follow him @MatthewWords.