This year, during the 138^th Kentucky Derby is looking up to be a game changer and may go down in history all thanks to the participating competitors that will be running in it. People have already begun to pick their favorites from among the horses during their track training, and those decisions will either be cemented or will be shattered after the Kentucky Derby eve event, the Kentucky Oaks. The anticipation is growing as May 5^th approaches, and even more so with a Derby favorite being such a special case.

In the history of the Kentucky Derby has there been a white horse to ever cross first at the finish line, but that may just change with Hansen. Hansen is a nearly pure white steed, with only two-years of age that has begun to turn heads. This is what makes this year’s event such a wonder, with many, not excluding Hansen’s owner, from believing that this white horse may change derby history. Hansen’s owner, Dr. Kendall Hansen, proudly wears a shirt with the words “The Great White Hope” written on it, demonstrating to others his faith in his horse.

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Great news for all the Kentucky Derby fans, as the main event is coming up on May 5^th. However, before the big horse race, everyone is lining up to see the 138^th Kentucky Oaks running and all of the participating horses; the Kentucky Derby eve event will take place on May 4^th. Critics have been having a tough time picking from all the horses, seeing that their training times have been so good. Amongst all of the participants however, there is one filly that has everyone rooting for her, Grace Hall.

Grace Hall, the Oaks favorite up until now, has been having an amazing week during her timed training. Javier Castellano will be riding Grace Hall for trainer Tony Dutrow. This filly has been accompanied by a short but very successful career to date and does not seem to be slacking during this year’s event. In the past six races she has gotten four wins and two second places, which is an impressive feat for a filly that is so young. It could be due to the fact that she comes from a long line of great race horses, being the daughter of Empire Maker. This does not mean that she will have a free ride through the Kentucky Oaks and the Kentucky Derby.

Among the top contenders, there is a rival that Grace Hall should look out for, On Fire Baby. They will be riding side by side in post 1 and 2 in a field of 14. On Fire Baby also has a long list of outstanding credentials, which is what makes it a race to behold. Trainers for both horses have been quoted saying that their horses are in top condition and that there is nothing left to do but have confidence in their abilities. With their demonstrated speed, they are likely to get good tracking spots right behind the leaders. A few of these, unofficial, leaders are Eden’s Moon, Sacristy, Believe You Can, Broadway’s Alibi, Amie’s Dini, and Yara.

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While betting on the Kentucky Derby is legal in the US (as well as around the world), the industry is regulated by the state. The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission or the KHRC is an independent government agency that regulates betting on the horse races as well as related activities. The KHRC prides itself on the safety and rectitude of horse racing plus the well-being of the horses. Horse racing, including the Kentucky Derby, has long had a reputation of being rife with medicinal boosters for horse performance. This is said to discourage bettors from involving themselves in an industry that possibly promotes animal abuse. The KHRC has worked hard to change this perspective by banning steroids and enforcing riding crop and whip rules.

Recently furosemide, an anti-bleeder medication that is used on race day was brought up in a proposal to be banned. Better known as Lasix or Salix, furosemide is already banned in European races. While studies show that long-term this medication can hurt the health of a horse, it prevents hemorrhaging during the race. Without anti-bleeder medications, it is more likely that horses will bleed through their nose during races and in some cases suffer from hypertension or edema. If a horse bleeds more than three times in their racing career, then the horse is banned from racing for its safety. In the end, the proposed ban failed to pass in a 7-7 vote.

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Stay tuned to DerbyBetting.org for the latest on the 2012 Kentucky Derby contenders.

We will post a link along with the list at 6pm EDT. In the meantime stay tuned to our contenders page for updates.

Updated Contenders Info here.

Why is there no clear favorite for the Kentucky Derby 2012? When it comes to favorites in betting, and especially Kentucky Derby betting, the best horse often isn’t the one that is popular. The most talented horse can be hard to see through the hype. Further obfuscating how to bet on the Kentucky Derby is the jockey and trainer factor. So in 2012 Derby, what horse stands the best chance of winning and how do you pick him?

Everyone loves Bodemeister:

There is something deeply human about wanting to root for the underdog. Bodemeister is even named after his trainer’s son, Bode. Those who would choose to bet on Bodemeister as the possible winner of the Kentucky Derby seem to want their Kentucky Derby betting to be about more than the most talented horse. Bodemeister has only had 2 runs, or races. Both are very recent being in March and April respectively. His first race was at San Felipe, and if you’ve seen it, you’ll see how Bodemeister is a focused and determined horse. He stayed second for most of the time and then took the lead before another Kentucky Derby favorite Creative Cause swung out and booked it to the front. And Bodemeister? He tried, but Creative Cause did a much better job of reserving his energy for the final push.

In the Arkansas Derby Bodemeister dictated the race. Not only did he maintain the lead once he grabbed it, but he absolutely trounced in the last quarter of the run by fending off Secret Circle and any of the other contender’s pushes. It is scary how relaxed Bodemeister seems as compared to the last race. The horse barely even registers that there are others behind him. Once Bodemeister passed the finish line and went to greet the cameras it is great to see the alertness on his face. Almost as if it cost him no big thing to win by 9 lengths.

The problem with Bodemeister being a Kentucky Derby betting favorite is that each of these races showed a completely different horse. The first horse is a talented, but anxious and unsure. The second horse is determined and focused as well as talented. So the question upon which the jury is out is which horse will show up to the Kentucky Derby?

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The controversial issue of medicating horses before a horse race – and in this case before the Kentucky Derby 2012 race – has always been up for debate. On Monday, April 17^th, there was a proposal to ban anti-bleeding drugs on race day. Kentucky, the Bluegrass state, has been divided as it tries to keep its reputation as the main thoroughbred racing track. It was at the Kentucky Racing Commission that the voting took place, however it did not turn out as expected. During the meeting, they set out to ban furosemide, the anti-bleeding drug, and the ban would take effect in as early as 2013, along with the 2 year old thoroughbreds. By 2014 it would be banned entirely at the 2012 Kentucky Derby, and by 2015 it was to be banned throughout the state.

The drug furosemide, also known as Salix or Lasix, is the only drug that is permitted on the day of the horse races, and only in the US. The reason other countries do not allow this drug to be used is because it enhances the horses’ performance, which does not allow for a proper horse race. Horses are given this drug, with the intention of treating haemorrhaging in the horses’ lungs. This can be caused by the extreme pressure and stamina that they must use during the races. As to follow suit with the other countries that ban this drug, Kentucky is the first state to step up and vote on this controversial issue. Even though the ban has many supporters, the vote failed on Monday with a 7-7 vote at the Racing Commission.

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When you start to learn about the Kentucky Derby, it becomes obvious that this tradition is older than the first Derby started in 1875. In fact, this may be one of the premier sporting events in the horseracing world, but it draws much of its tradition from other festivities. Some of these horse festivals go back to early ancient cultures of the world.  However, the origins of Thoroughbred racing are only about 200 years old.

Historic derbies of the past

The Kentucky Derby began in 1875 and was one of the first of its kind in the United States. Regardless, the style of derby that the Kentucky Derby is based on is similar to the kind found in England. The Historic styles of English derbies were first facilitated by the Jockey Club.  There, the English “Classics” are the 2,000 Guineas, the Epsom Derby, and the Saint Leger Stakes.

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Every serious horse better is familiar with the Daily Racing Form, otherwise known as DRF. Founded in Chicago, Illinoise by Frank Brunell in 1984, the paper publishes performances of past horse races for kentucky derby bettors in the USA. This service provides beneficial statistics for betting on future races.

The Daily Racing Form cooperates with the National Thoroughbred Racing Association and the National Turf Writers Association to select the winners of the Eclipse Awards annually. The Eclipse Awards are viewed widely as a national standard for Thoroughbred Racing in the United States but isn’t official because the sport has no governing body.

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The exact 2012 Kentucky Derby date is part of the grand process of being organized for this important time of year. In addition to marking the ‘X’ on the correct calendar entry, you will also need other time-related facts associated with this event. Important things to know about the 2012 Kentucky Derby date are; when it will be broadcast on television, where you can place a bet for the race, and other 2012 Kentucky Derby date-related areas you should be keeping your eye on.

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The field of Kentucky Derby candidates continues to take shape, as previous race winners pile onto their seasonal winnings. Listed below are the horses leading in graded stakes earnings. As race day approaches, some of these earners will be included in the official Derby line-up. Keep an eye on these top performers, and be prepared to pick a winner. Your Kentucky Derby betting experience may involve choosing one of the bright stars from this list, for your own potential earnings.

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