Kentucky Derby Prep Races

Everyone loves the opportunity to bet on horses and win the biggest prize imaginable — on a single race. These are the possibilities that you have with the Kentucky Derby; as long as you handicap it correctly. Handicapping such a big event means keeping track of everything that happens before the big day. In this regard, Kentucky Derby prep races are a consistent aspect of accomplishing profitable handicapping.

The Kentucky Derby prep races are a series of top 2-3 year old thoroughbreds trying to make their mark in the world of horse racing by winning the Kentucky Derby. In the five-month countdown to the first Saturday in May, there are about 35 important races that will determine the most likely winner of the Kentucky Derby. In addition, these prep races have a few mysterious aspects that a serious Kentucky Derby handicapper will want to take note of.

Kentucky Derby prep races significance

Starting around 1950, handicappers began to notice that there was a group of races that seemed to produce Kentucky Derby winners. Over time, they referred to this list as, “Kentucky Derby prep races”. Today, there are very few variations from what was used in the past.

However, there is one race that has had a significant change in meaning. This is the Derby Trial horse race that is run the week before the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. On the website for the Derby Trial, it says that, in the past, it was a part of predicting the winner of the Kentucky Derby. Today, on the other hand, this is considered a prep race for the Belmont Stakes.

The tradition of handicapping Kentucky Derby prep races

Some people are once a year gamblers. For them, the Kentucky Derby is a special event and the only time of year they wager on horses. In many cases in Louisville, Kentucky, handicapping Kentucky Derby prep races is an annual family tradition as opposed to a full time obsession with gambling.

Sadly, the list of 35 prep races is not taken seriously by all online racebook websites. For this reason, you might want to shop around at several gambling websites and cross-compare with the list of Kentucky Derby prep races provided at the bottom of this page.

Cashing in on Kentucky Derby prep races

If you are following these races closely, it only makes sense to bet on them. This way, you are putting your guesses to the challenge by putting your money where your mouth is. Since the same betting pool found at Churchill Downs is also available online, setting up an online betting account for Kentucky Derby prep races is a good way to practice for the actual Kentucky Derby.

All of the betting pools for the Kentucky Derby prep races are interlinked – and this will save you on airfare to Louisville. It only takes a couple of minutes to apply and you usually pay a low $20 minimum deposit. After that, you get information on bonuses and promo coupons and start placing bets right away.

Beyond Kentucky Derby; prep races

When the Kentucky Derby concludes, this is not the end of horse racing season. Instead, the same horses will go on to win two other major races called the Preakness and Belmont Stakes. Altogether, the three major races, including the Kentucky Derby, are known as the Triple Crown Trail.

All these Triple Crown Trail races will end by the middle of June. Historically, few horses have won all three Triple Crown races. If it looks like there will be a Triple Crown winner, the opportunities for cashing in big with betting flare up.

After June, there will be other races to consider, including horses older than the two to three year-old Thoroughbred set. Horse racing season in the eastern part of the United States will begin to conclude at many racetracks in the fall. This is also the time for the Jockey Gold Cup race and the Breeders’ Cup.

2012 Kentucky Derby Prep Races

https://www.derbybetting.org/